Shop Benches and Floor

[Spaarky]

Just finishing up new shop(62x42'). I am trying to decide what to with two things:

Floor - We were just going to leave it concrete, but I was thinking about putting a finish on it like my garage floor. I was going to do this for one simple reason, keeping stains off. Is there a sealer a person could put on to keep it from staining?

Bench/Cabinets - In my garage, I built my own cabinets/bench. I could do it again too. I dont want any of the fancy metal cabinets, too many dollars. I have a buddy, that got a set from Goodwill or something, works pretty well. Someone had gutted a kitchen. I am thinking a sheetmetal top to the bench, its going to take some abuse.

Have some ideas for me? I am open.

thanks... Justin

 

[Supplicate]

As far as benches, nothing beats a solid 2x4 top with a nice galvanized metal top to it. You lay the 2x4 on edge so its 3.5" thick and 1.5" wide and start nailing/screwing them together. once you get them all put together you either take it to the highschool wood shop and have them run it through the planer or do it the hard way with a sander or hand held jointer. Get the top mostly level then have a sheet metal top bent to fit over the wood top. We had these in the old shop I used to work in, they took some serious abuse and it never phased em.

We also had some welded metal benches (1/2" plate tops) that were on solid casters that we could roll around wherever we needed them, as well as a few square tube framework benches with plywood tops.

The plate steel topped benches were the best for mounting vises and whatnot, we welded in 2" receiver tubing (the kind you use to make receiver hitches) underneath the plate steel top and inside the angle iron framework. Then mounted the vises and other specialty attachments on tubing that fit inside the receiver, used hitch pins to hold them in.

The 2x4 topped bench we ran allthread through it to secure the one vise that was on it, just lag bolted the bench grinder down.

Also mounted female drill pipe connectors into the concrete and mounted various vises and grinders to male connectors for modular vises as well as the roll around tables.


edit:

here is one of the older metal benches in the background against the wall:

One of the roll around benches on the right hand side (first one had inflatable tires; bad idea)

I'll see if I have any pictures from the new shop, it has an even better bench setup in it or did before the company sold anyway not sure anymore.
It was nice to be able to have a vise or grinder anywhere in the shop you were working.

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

try an epoxy floor coating..this is one my buddy used on his..http://www.floorchips.com/...as for benches..I have never liked alot of benches in my shop..they take up room and end up being collect alls....napa, snap-on, mac all have nice metal benches that really arnt that expensive and will last a lifetime..I think 1 bench per stall is plenty...most of the time I have 1 between 2 stalls..but I like a very uncluttered work area....I think 1 bench and 1 nice roll around tool cart works far better...

 

[Supplicate]

I have never liked alot of benches in my shop.

We tried the minimalist approach for a long time. But when you have customer's equipment torn down waiting on parts sitting on a bench that can't be moved until rebuilt you run out of space fast. Especially when they are often times 8 months out on some of the more specialty parts.

It is a personal thing though, I understand you not wanting a cluttered work space. Sometimes it can't be helped though.

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

We tried the minimalist approach for a long time. But when you have customer's equipment torn down waiting on parts sitting on a bench that can't be moved until rebuilt you run out of space fast. Especially when they are often times 8 months out on some of the more specialty parts.

It is a personal thing though, I understand you not wanting a cluttered work space. Sometimes it can't be helped though.

Yes supplicate, I hear ya..

 

[heinracing]

diamond plate bench tops and a 3 inch back splace go to your local metal selling shop and they can sell you and bend it up to your demesions easy to clean works amazing and looks amazing also dont have any pics

then we have cabinets mounted under it and it's just under nipple high

 

[Spaarky]

Well I have been checking into epoxy and sealers for the shop floor. Local construction consultant company, said to use a specialty sealer.

I would like it so when we spill oil, grease, ect.... it can be cleaned up with soap and water. Will a sealer really cut it???

thanks... Justin

 

[Scott]

Justin, I did something really kick azz. Got stainless counter WITH legs and undershelf...from a restraunt supply recycler. This guy had hundreds of stainless stuff for sale. FREAKIN CHEAP stuff. I'll take pics.

Got it for cutting meat. BUT it can serve as a great work bench.

I'll get a sheet of that vinyl (or whatever it is) cutting board for it too.

It's like 9' long with a sink, and raised drip edge. I also got a 4' square counter to set next to it for the meat gringer.

 

[Spaarky]

Its a farm/toy shop, not a butcher shop....

That sounds like a great idea though. I just dont know where I could find someone like that around here.

My biggest concern is the floor right now..... fall is around the corner, and the shop will be full soon.

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

Well I have been checking into epoxy and sealers for the shop floor. Local construction consultant company, said to use a specialty sealer.

I would like it so when we spill oil, grease, ect.... it can be cleaned up with soap and water. Will a sealer really cut it???

thanks... Justin

A really good sealer should hold up to gas and solvents , but most that I have seen don't unless you clean the spill up asap..if it sits on it , it softens it up..the epoxy paints have been holding up very good ....

 

[TBWdracula2003]

Just finishing up new shop(62x42'). I am trying to decide what to with two things:

Floor - We were just going to leave it concrete, but I was thinking about putting a finish on it like my garage floor. I was going to do this for one simple reason, keeping stains off. Is there a sealer a person could put on to keep it from staining?

Bench/Cabinets - In my garage, I built my own cabinets/bench. I could do it again too. I dont want any of the fancy metal cabinets, too many dollars. I have a buddy, that got a set from Goodwill or something, works pretty well. Someone had gutted a kitchen. I am thinking a sheetmetal top to the bench, its going to take some abuse.

Have some ideas for me? I am open.

thanks... Justin

metal bench tops concrete floor, dont finish it, you spill any thing on it and youll slip and fall like the cartoons and banana peels