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Studio -- Show us your studio setup |
2013-08-07, 9:53am
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Fugitive from the Dogstar
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Join Date: Aug 01, 2013
Location: Southern California
Posts: 289
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Question Regarding Work Table
Hi there,
I'm in the process of starting up a little work area and I have a question regarding the work table, which is wood, and what should go on top of it.
Hubby and I were originally thinking a stainless steel square drilled or nailed onto the top of the table would make a good base, and it's fairly cheap BUT when we were at the glass supply store the man working behind the counter suggested cement board because it's cheap and easy to find.
Is there really a difference? I would think stainless steel would be better though I really don't know why. What are your thoughts?
Thanks!
Carol
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2013-08-07, 11:15am
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Salt Box Beads
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Join Date: Oct 23, 2005
Location: Heading to Paradise
Posts: 4,161
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I use the metal sheets from Home depot, I can bend them and cove them up the back side of bench for a backsplash etc. Hot glass booboos do not leave ulgy burn marks and stinky smell when they hit the metal, it also wipes clean of teensy tiny glass fragments with a damp towel.
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2013-08-07, 11:21am
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New-old member
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Join Date: Nov 02, 2012
Location: Rochester, NY.
Posts: 42
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I am trying to choose between cement board, stainless sheet metal, or cheap-o marble tiles. I'm leaning towards the stainless option; no dust, easy to clean, no spaces between tiles for glass bits to hide. Plus, I think it looks more professional, though that doesn't matter too much in my studio.
I'm looking forward to more opinions!
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Ana (on-ah)
Furnace worker melting boro on a Redmax with tanked oxy.
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2013-08-07, 11:36am
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Fugitive from the Dogstar
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Join Date: Aug 01, 2013
Location: Southern California
Posts: 289
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So from what it sounds like stainless is the best. I didn't know that cement board can stink if it burns. I would think a smooth tile would work too but maybe after the time you spent cementing it, grouting it, etc. then you might as well have gone for the stainless.
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2013-08-07, 1:56pm
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Alaska Boro
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Join Date: Dec 10, 2009
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Posts: 1,065
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Using a material that is thinner than cement board. Some call it ceramic board.
A sheet of this on top of the table plus some 12 x 12 inch tiles that are not cemented to the board or grouted. Find that using a small shop vac takes care of any issues with dust or frit in the cracks. i.e. the tiles are pushed tight together.
The best part is that it is easy to take apart and light to move and a cost saving over a custom made SS table top cover.
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2013-08-07, 2:31pm
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Wonder-wench
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Join Date: Aug 09, 2010
Location: land of milk & honey
Posts: 1,104
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my work surface is covered in 4"x 4" ceramic tile (came with the bench). i actually like the grout lines as they help stop rods rolling across the bench. I usually use a shop vac. if I had to do it again, i think i would still stick with tile, but maybe larger.
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Elizabeth
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2013-08-07, 2:51pm
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Fugitive from the Dogstar
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Join Date: Aug 01, 2013
Location: Southern California
Posts: 289
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So then the tiles sound good too. I can see what you mean about the grout lines - how they help keep the stuff on the table under control. It's little things like that you don't really think about when planning it out but it does make sense.
This thread deserves the Kool-Aid guy because I have been dying to use that emoticon since I joined the forum. LOL
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2013-08-07, 3:38pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jun 19, 2009
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 392
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I have 12x12 tile on my work area and the area that is directly under my torch is covered by a 12x20 metal sheet. The tile is affixed to 1/2 in plywood which you can buy precut at Home Depot.
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Erin
MiniCC / EX15
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2013-08-07, 3:53pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 01, 2012
Posts: 198
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My bench is a 2 inch slab of wood with a metal frame covered by a 1/4 inch thick piece of aluminum plate. It's 3 feet deep and 6 feet long. The plate holds up well to any pieces that drop and doesn't get hot at all.
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2013-08-08, 8:53am
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Fugitive from the Dogstar
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Join Date: Aug 01, 2013
Location: Southern California
Posts: 289
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Sounds like a lot of this boils down to personal preference. Thank goodness all of this is available at the local Home Depot / hardware store. Is there anything that I should absolutely stay away from? I'm thinking any kind of wood/laminate surface is a big no-no but other than that anything else?
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2013-08-09, 1:01pm
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Missing presumed fed
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Join Date: Nov 15, 2005
Location: Wherever
Posts: 3,158
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I use a sheet of metal from Home Depot, duct-taped to the edges of the table. Make sure you either round off or cover the corners of the metal, so you don't bump into them and gouge yourself. I don't have the area right around the torch duct-taped because bad things happen to duct tape when you lay a hot graphite paddle on it.
I also have a cookie sheet with a dark finish on it covering the area in front of the torch, because I think it's easier to see my flame against a dark surface. Dark ceramic tiles would work, too, although I wonder whether you might not want a glossy surface there. I haven't tried tiles, so I couldn't say for sure.
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2013-08-09, 5:03pm
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MacGalver
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Join Date: Oct 15, 2006
Posts: 9,927
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The thicker cement board is dusty and little bits of glass can get stuck in it. Sheet metal is cheap and easy!
Jo
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Jo
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2013-08-09, 6:14pm
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Wonder-wench
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Join Date: Aug 09, 2010
Location: land of milk & honey
Posts: 1,104
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I also painted a black "lane", about 4" wide, from my torch all the way up the wall so as to better see the flame. I used high temp paint, the kind used to repaint a BBQ. It has held up better than I thought, as I just painted directly over clean tile and stainless steel (did no other prep, such as scuffing the surface). So far, there are no nicks, scratches or "burns" and yes, I have dropped molten glass on the paint many times.
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Elizabeth
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2013-08-10, 7:50pm
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Fugitive from the Dogstar
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Join Date: Aug 01, 2013
Location: Southern California
Posts: 289
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Well hubby and I just got back from Home Depot with four 18" x 18" tiles. They fit my table perfectly! We also picked up a small rubberized rug pad that prevents slipping. The idea is that we are going to lay down the rug pad on top of the table and then just plop the tile right on top. The tile probably doesn't even need anything underneath them, they are heavy enough, but just to make sure we are adding the sticky padding.
Thank you all for the ideas! Once I get the area set up I'll post a pick, probably within a week or two.
Blessings!
Carol
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2013-08-10, 10:28pm
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"Sinners have soul too"
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Join Date: Jun 26, 2005
Location: The beachy part of So Cal
Posts: 4,258
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I used 12x12 tiles on the work tables in my studio.
This is brilliant~
Quote:
Originally Posted by AmorphousDesigns
I also painted a black "lane", about 4" wide, from my torch all the way up the wall so as to better see the flame. I used high temp paint, the kind used to repaint a BBQ. It has held up better than I thought, as I just painted directly over clean tile and stainless steel (did no other prep, such as scuffing the surface). So far, there are no nicks, scratches or "burns" and yes, I have dropped molten glass on the paint many times.
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Donna
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2013-08-11, 11:24am
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Member
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Join Date: Apr 28, 2012
Location: Alaska
Posts: 64
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You could also go to a Costco or Sams Club or similar place and buy 4' metal workbench. It has a stainless steel top and a shelf underneath. light weight so easy to move and very affordable!!!!
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2013-09-18, 7:04am
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Aug 08, 2013
Posts: 18
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i found an old stainless steel surgical table at a garage sale, thats working well
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2013-09-23, 8:33pm
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Mary Lockwood
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Join Date: Jun 21, 2005
Location: Boonies
Posts: 5,831
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I covered mine with roof flashing.
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2013-09-23, 9:24pm
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Melody of Glass
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Join Date: Apr 08, 2012
Location: Canada
Posts: 2,511
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I have an old laminate countertop that I put legs on. It has a stainless steel sheet under the torch. I threw a dark sheet of stained glass (because it was laying around) behind the torch so I could see the flame. I also have a 12" white ceramic tile to my right with rod rests so I can clearly see glass colours against it when they are out.
Love the paint idea.
Will the rubber backing singe and stink when glass bits get between the tiles?
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2013-09-24, 7:08am
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42
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Join Date: Mar 07, 2012
Location: Southwestern Ontario
Posts: 773
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I just changed my workspace last weekend. I have always had one of those plastic resin tables, but it used to have aluminum foil all over and marble cutting boards in my immediate workspace. Now I have black plastic puck board all over the table, and still the marble tiles on my work space. The wall behind my torch has a rectangle of steel screwed to it as a heat shield for the wall, not that it's really ever been needed. Cement board would probably be easier, but I hate the texture, and I can marver on the marble.
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Melissa
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2013-10-14, 9:59pm
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Living out Loud
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Join Date: Aug 03, 2006
Posts: 855
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testing
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2013-10-17, 7:48am
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Flamewoman
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Join Date: Jan 12, 2007
Location: California
Posts: 985
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Just curious, in setting up your work space are you giving consideration to ventilation?
I am assuming your work table is intended for your torch area, right?
The one most important consideration is ventilation.
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Mary K
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2013-10-17, 1:01pm
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Oct 13, 2013
Location: Athens, Greece
Posts: 14
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My point is not to use cement board, because it not cleans easily and always leaves powder. also it is quite thick and in the edges may gather - stack rods. as you can see in the foto I used 2 pieces of metal, the small is stainless steel and the larger is aluminum, both at thickness almost 0- 3⁄64in (1 mm). You can clean them easily and remove them time to time for reorganigation your table room.
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Aude sapere.
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2013-10-21, 8:08am
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Now part of the Dark Side
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Join Date: Jul 02, 2010
Location: North Central PA
Posts: 966
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I use a piece of sheet metal, painted black with stove paint. Directly under my torch is my graphite marver and a lane of ceramic fire brick also painted black. They make great rod rests and are excellent insulators.
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Roy
Hot glass does not crack.
Unless it is glowing and drippy, hot glass looks like cold glass.
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2013-10-24, 9:02am
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 08, 2005
Location: Beautiful Colorado
Posts: 2,120
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Cement board with a large sheet metal sheet under the torch. I like it because I can clean up really easily. Vacuum and wipe down.
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Leslie
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2013-11-14, 1:02am
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 13, 2012
Location: Albany, NY
Posts: 172
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I like the idea of cutting a sheet of cement board to fit over the top of the desk and then covering it with sheet metal. I would cover the whole top of the desk with the metal though because, as has been stated, cement board will deteriorate over time and can get dusty and a hot rod will leave burn marks making it kind of ugly.
My lampwork bench is a framed out table built to my desired dimensions (8 ft. long) with a custom made concrete "counter top". I have it sanded and polished smooth as a marble counter. Easy to clean and impossible to burn with a hot rod. Very easy to do if your husband is up for it.
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