Help with Glass top for workbench

[John Penkman]

The table looks great, really solid looking and mobile. I like the graphics you have on the wall and posts to. :thumbsup:

Sorry cant help on the glass advice though

[Shawn Bentley]

Thank u appreciate it, [emoji106]

[Daniel Evans]

Very nice, looks just like mine. What size is it?

[Martin Pearson]

Depends to a degree what you are going to be doing on it but either 6 or 10 mm toughened glass is what you need, if you know any window fitting companies then you might get lucky & get an old window they have taken out of a shop 😆 😆
Got my current glass top for free that way 😆 😆

[Daniel Evans]

I’ve got a 10mm glass top. I personally don’t think I would go any lower but then my top is clear apart from 1 bar that runs along the middle. The idea is that run some leds under the glass. My table 1090 x 2500 but I have 2 of them and both on wheels. When needed I use them length ways and I have a 5mtr table or if in need the width then I have a 2mtr x 2.5mtr table. I also have a another glass top but I run out of room so it’s leaning up against the wall. I’ve stood on my tables and I’m nearly 15st

[Patrick Donaghey]

IM using 6mm glass but have mdf below it
table look well :claps:

[Shawn Bentley]

Thanks all, think I’ll go the 10nm toughened glass then ? Is that name or do I ask for something specific? Tia

[Daniel Evans]

My tables are built out of old glass office partitions so I made my tables to fit them. Still cost me quite a bit but cheaper than buying brand new and I got 3. I got quoted from for 2m x 3m and you’ll be looking at about £500+

[Shawn Bentley]

That’s not bad I’ve been quoted for 2440 by 1500 6mm toughened £230

[Martin Pearson]

6mm will be fine but if you don’t feel comfortable with 6mm then 10mm is more than enough, my glass tops are 1220 x 2100 mm, it was a complete double glazed unit so there were 2 of them at that size 😆 😆
My main bench is made from 6 bolt together steel tables which I then fitted an 8 x 4 18mm MDF sheet to, the glass top just sits on top of the MDF, The other bench was one I made myself with wood mostly retrieved from the skip the window company next to my unit had 😆 😆
That also has an 18mm MDF top on it, that was about the only thing I had to buy, unfortunately they never threw full sheets of 18mm MDF in the skip 😆 😆 😆

[Shawn Bentley]

Thanks guys think I’ll go 10mm toughened

[Pane Talev]

+1 on 10mm toughened

[Daniel Evans]

Best decision ever but christ don’t they blunt you blades

[Paul.Carter]

Hi

We have 10mm toughened glass on top of MDF 2900mm x 1500mm so a large piece and very heavy! To be honest we were very lucky it came out of a bank which they were actually going to throw away so cost us nothing hate to think how much it would be to buy. Infact they had two the same size the other one went into the skip I think. Obviously the down side is blunting the blades very quickly but really great for cutting.

[Shawn Bentley]

Thanks all think 10mm toughened def way to go better order some new blades Monday [emoji23]

[Martin Pearson]

I keep a little basket by the side of the workbench with tools that I use on the table, yes a glass top will blunt the blades quicker but it just means you need to apply a little more pressure 😆 😆 Not like you are going to cut through the glass 😆 😆
The scalpels & retracting knives that are used on the table never get used for anything else or I would be changing the blade every 2 minutes 😆

[Hugh Potter]

6mm toughened, 10mm if it makes you happier. I also flood coat the underside –

A, it’s cleaner when looking at it – no mess underneath to be seen.

B, you can still underlight – I did this and used it twice in 8yrs!

C, flood coating it save a huge amount of clearing up of tiny pieces of glass in the even you break one.. you’ll thank me for the tip if you do!!!

D, ensure you protect the edges, that’s where toughened is vulnerable.

[Shawn Bentley]

Hi Hugh thanks for advice do u mean layout some vinyl on it (flood coat) as was planning to do this in case it broke? Thanks mate

[Daniel Evans]

I’m printing a grid and applying it to the underside, that way the light will spread and I’ve got lines to help with

[Martin Pearson]

Mine sits on an MDF top which is maybe why I am OK with 6mm at the size it is, I have never felt the need to put a light under it but the option is always there, would be easy enough to cut a couple of grooves for LED’s I guess. It has had all sorts of glues, resins etc etc harden on it over the years & always easy to clean off with a scrapper 😆 😆
I was going to print a grid but never got round to it, never really needed it but that may just be down to the work I do. I have put quite a few printed pictures under it, some family & some from jobs I have done 😆 😆
It hasn’t been floodcoated but if I were to do that then I would probably use clear so pictures can still be seen. As Hugh has said it’s the edges that are it’s weakness, protect the edges, mine are just wrapped in vinyl.

[Hugh Potter]

quote Shawn Bentley:

Hi Hugh thanks for advice do u mean layout some vinyl on it (flood coat) as was planning to do this in case it broke? Thanks mate

Just apply underside, mainly for that reason!

[Shawn Bentley]

Brilliant thanks Hugh, I thought of putting a nice print on there or my logo.

[Hugh Potter]

quote Shawn Bentley:

Brilliant thanks Hugh, I thought of putting a nice print on there or my logo.

I would, especially if customers get to see it! my big bench is two old school science desks back to back (3.6×1.8m total), I need to change the top and fit glass but that’s one big bit of glass!

[Shawn Bentley]

Think defo going for that and adds a nice addition to a workbench gives it a bit of life