Aluminium welding bench?

[Mr Fro]

Hi chaps,

I'm trying to maximise my workshop space while I wait for the extension to start (seeing as building control haven't even been out yet, it could be a while...) and got to thinking about welding tables. I have a nice big stainless thing ready for when the extension is complete but for now I’m thinking of having a hinged affair on the wall so I can drop it flat when not in use.

I've got a heavy duty two tier shelf thing that's ~5mm aluminium with ~40mm frame to it (the legs and around the perimeter of the shelves) that's just begging to be hacked up for this purpose but... Am I a loon to use it as a welding surface? I can't think why it would be a phenomenally bad idea but that might just be my enthusiasm.

I could double the sheets up to give 10mm total and/or add some more bracing to the middle section of the sheet to stop warping. I dunno. I'd love to hear you thoughts!

Cheers,
Fro

 

[desmo11225]

Hello Mr Fro
Seems expensive to cut up aluminium for a temporary work bench, I 've got an 18 mm thick steel plate £20 from a scrap yard and put it on cheapo B & Q trestles , does'nt take up any space at all All the Best desmo11225

 

[rich r]

Are you proposing to have blobs of molten steel at around 1400C on an aluminium panel that melts at around 650C?

Or are you planning on putting a steel sheet on top of the aluminium frame?

 

[rikrobson]

I 've got an 18 mm thick steel plate £20 from a scrap yard and put it on cheapo B & Q trestles

do the tressles not collapse under the weight?

 

[Mr Fro]

Are you proposing to have blobs of molten steel at around 1400C on an aluminium panel that melts at around 650C?

Yes, that's exactly what I'm proposing. Mainly for positioning and tacking stuff up, not pouring molten steel on to so I'll probably be alright.

Desmo - It's a shelf thing I nabbed for free many years ago (I've moved house with it twice already) with the intention of using it as an engine bench which naturally never happened. I wasn't planning on cutting the sheet, just the legs which are this kind of stuff:

 

[pedrobedro]

Bits of spatter may stick to the aluminium but I can't see any problem with using it apart from that.

 

[desmo11225]

Hi rikrobson
I've just measured my work top, its 10 mm thick a lot less than I thought and is 500 mm 20 inches wide and 750 mm 30 inches long approx, never used when I bought it and is ideal for hobby ing in my garage, taking up no space when I do'nt need it. the trestles are plenty strong enough for smallish jobs. Mr Fro, If you ruin it with weld you'll still get a nice bit of cash for it as scrap All the Best Gents desmo11225

 

[Paul G]

I have a 2000 x 850mm bench, now 15 years old, made from 6mm aluminium chequer plate
screwed to a 50mm box section frame. It's used most days. See pic.

Ally benches do have a disadvantage however. They rapidly suck the heat from a cup of tea.



Paul G

 

[Mr Fro]

To update... A week or so in to the alooominum temporary fold up bench - all is going well. It's so nice to finally have a set place to work that's comfy to stand/sit at!

I've done a reasonable amount of work at it so far and haven't burned or otherwise destroyed it. I quite like it for welding/grinding as you can chuck a just welded part on it and it cools quicker than it would on a steel bench. The doubled up 6mm sheet is plenty strong enough with the frame round it as it's pretty diddy at 750x640mm. I'm glad I made it fold up as it makes getting the bikes in and out of the garage much easier with it out of the way.

The only down side I've found so far is that it's quite easy to scratch the top with an unfinished bit of steel. Oh, and the other problem I created for myself is that I made it reasonably high so I can stand at it which is great but if sitting, I have to have the draughtsman chair quite high which means I can't reach the pedal if I want to TIG.

 

[Maker]

Weld up a nice riser block for the pedal to go on.