Talking Shop: Bench Rescue

"M.T. Blake" (autohabit) 03/21/2019 at 16:50 • Filed to: Talking shop, Garagelopnik, Garage goals, bench, work bench

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I was lucky to obtain this gem - a Dohrmann Hotel Supply Co. that had been used an abused for far too long. Man was it gross! But now after a few hours it’s worthy to grace the shop floor!

Oh barf... this was used for at least 30 years, outdoors, mostly covered by a lean-to, with three 55 gallon drums of oil laying on their sides. The grease was heavy. The pictures don’t do justice and the grease was WORSE before I moved the barrels.

Now all six shelves are removable. They aren’t very tall but who cares?! It’s sturdy. The bench top is rusted through at the back so that will need some attention.

I ended up decreasing it twice, pressure washing twice, and spraying with two cans of hammertone silver Rustoleum. The result is excellent.

It goes good with the floor I’d say. Now the top is obvious painted like my 4 year old did it. It won’t stay that way. I need some suggestions as what might be the best way to top it off. Formica? Sheet metal?

The top is approximately 90” by 26”. First quote I got for steel 16ga was $142. A bit cheaper if I wanted it in two pieces. The Formica would be free as I’ve got a big piece.

I’m almost thinking metal is the way to go, as with the baffle at the back and side it would be nice to still throw oily things on it and not worry about oil running down the back or side.

Ideas? Thiughts

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > M.T. Blake 03/21/2019 at 16:59

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HDPE sheet, 1/2 to 1" thick. It’s soft and warm like wood but won’t stain like wood. I just don’t like working on a metal surface.

Future next gen S2000 owner > M.T. Blake 03/21/2019 at 17:01

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Diamond plate the top.*

*Only kinda jok ing.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > M.T. Blake 03/21/2019 at 17:17

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Don’t know how it stands up to grease but a lot of food service and butchers use these white countertops similar to a plastic cutting  board and they hold up pretty well.

shop-teacher > M.T. Blake 03/21/2019 at 17:44

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Nice score!

I like Masonite for a replace able hard surface.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > M.T. Blake 03/21/2019 at 18:28

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The top is solid except for that hole? Like not rusted on the bottom?

Do you do any welding? I’d try to patch the hole and then epoxy coat  it with the same (or contrasting) epoxy as the floor.

M.T. Blake > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 03/21/2019 at 19:08

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Ill look into it!

M.T. Blake > Future next gen S2000 owner 03/21/2019 at 19:08

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Lol. People would think it looks cool.

People who actually work for a living would know it’s ridiculous. 

M.T. Blake > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 03/21/2019 at 19:10

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I can’t weld. I’ve got a buddy who could do it for me. Bottom appeared solid. It was just a small hole. Damn thing is solid. Immovable with all the shelves in... 400lbs I’d bet. 

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > M.T. Blake 03/21/2019 at 19:12

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hardwood is what i’d go with .... its just that metal work spaces set me teeth on edge... the sound n feel of moving anything on it if theres even a lil dust to grind along

this is quite an unfortunate trait for a metalworker.....

M.T. Blake > farscythe - makin da cawfee! 03/21/2019 at 19:29

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Quite the unfortunate. Someone suggested a solid core door but at 90” long its a  bit bigger than most doors.

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > M.T. Blake 03/21/2019 at 19:33

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what are you going to be using it for?

coz a door and half glued together and covered in rubberlike stuff would make for a nice grippy surface.... if you’re not welding

M.T. Blake > farscythe - makin da cawfee! 03/21/2019 at 19:38

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Probably not going to be welding for another year or two. I’ve got access to a welder but no time to learn. I was thinking I’d use it for mechanical work. Either automotive or small engine business. Luckily everything has been working so it will end up being storage for the meantime *knock on wood*

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > M.T. Blake 03/21/2019 at 19:40

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https://www.instructables.com/id/Edge-Grain-Butcher-Block-a-DIY-Tutorial/

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > M.T. Blake 03/21/2019 at 19:41

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welp.. i recommend coating whatever you use with something high grip... saves you the world of effort for stupid lil things like dropped bolts n nuts

oh and dark coloured so everything stands out extra more

(good english... i has it)

Chariotoflove > M.T. Blake 03/21/2019 at 19:45

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Well done!  I like a wood work bench, but honestly, if you have a free piece of Formica, you could go with that right now.  If you ever want to change it, there’s always time for that later.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 03/21/2019 at 19:59

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That's too nice for a workbench!

M.T. Blake > farscythe - makin da cawfee! 03/21/2019 at 22:51

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Good idea because once they hit the floor they’re gone forever. The paint on the floor is ‘nut and bolt camouflage’. 

M.T. Blake > Chariotoflove 03/21/2019 at 22:51

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Free is so much cheaper than $142.