Work Benches what does everyone else use?

[Kevin Flowers]

Warren
i use similar benches i have a 4’x6′ and a 3’x8′ ok to work on tops scar up when cutting on them but do the job. I also made an additional leaf to mount on the end of the 4’x6′ table. i would like a 6mtr x 1.5mtr but not got the room to make it easier dealing with prints etc

Kev

[Lynn Normington]

if you have problems with tops you should go for glass

Lynn

[John Childs]

Warren, we’ve just bought something very similar to that. It is surprisingly sturdy, although ours has an extra rail along the front and a full size shelf underneath.

The top was some sort of chipboard, but that was ok because we printed a grid and stuck it on top, then covered it with a sheet of glass.

[Warren Beard]

Thanks for replies, I think I am going to get one and put glass on it. When I call around for glass prices what exactly should I be asking for besides 6mm toughened?

Cheers

Warren

[Peter Normington]

quote Warren Beard:

Thanks for replies, I think I am going to get one and put glass on it. When I call around for glass prices what exactly should I be asking for besides 6mm toughened?

Cheers

Warren

Ask if they need any vans liveried up 😀
Peter

[Warren Beard]

quote Peter Normington:

quote Warren Beard:

Thanks for replies, I think I am going to get one and put glass on it. When I call around for glass prices what exactly should I be asking for besides 6mm toughened?

Cheers

Warren

Ask if they need any vans liveried up 😀
Peter

:lol1: That goes without saying 😉

[Gary Birch]

Warren
Ask for polished corners too. Saves shards of glass splintering everywhere.

Cheers

Gary

[Warren Beard]

quote John Childs:

Warren, we’ve just bought something very similar to that. It is surprisingly sturdy, although ours has an extra rail along the front and a full size shelf underneath.

The top was some sort of chipboard, but that was ok because we printed a grid and stuck it on top, then covered it with a sheet of glass.

John, where did you get yours from?

Warren

[John Childs]

Sorry Warren, can’t remember the source, and won’t be able to find out until Monday.

The 2440 x 760 x 6mm toughened glass with polished edges and rounded corners cost me £34.00.

[James Smyth]

In my opinion I think you should use white 9.5mm HDPE as the bench top as this self heals and works better than glass. I have used toughened glass in the past and it wears out blades faster and can scratch. HDPE is what is used for cutting boards for fishing, kitchens etc. And it is not expensive. Your local acrylic supplier should supply it.

[Shane Drew]

quote James-x:

I have used toughened glass in the past and it wears out blades faster and can scratch. .

James, I’ve had my glass tops for many years now.

From experience, it only scratches when you hold the blade axis too high ie cutting on the tip.

Not sure about the blunt blades, I always snap a clean start for every job anyway.

I’d never use anything else. Had glass tops for 17 years. Only ever replaced 3 times, and that’s was because of staff doing stupid things – like using a hammering a nail into timber on the glass top. 🙄

mine are 3600mm x 1200mm x 10mm w/polished edges. Delivery was the biggest problem. Not many smaller glass shops have trucks that big anymore 😕

[Warren Beard]

quote John Childs:

Sorry Warren, can’t remember the source, and won’t be able to find out until Monday.

The 2440 x 760 x 6mm toughened glass with polished edges and rounded corners cost me £34.00.

Hi John

If it’s not too much hassle could you please let me know where you got your table from, not to worry if it’s a hassle as I do have the link posted above but just wanted to compare.

I have also worked on glass top tables when in the print industry, 13 years using glass tops and only changed the glass once (flip it over for a fresh top) I think it is best but yes it uses up blades but it is a habit of mine too to always snap a blade on every new job or about 10 cuts.

Cheers

Warren

[John Childs]

Warren,

Found it. 😀

http://www.theshelvingshop.co.uk/workbe … 1QodixLVTQ

[Warren Beard]

Thanks John :thumbup2:

[Warren Beard]

I have ordered the table now am trying to order the glass 😮 😮 😮

cheapest so far is £128.00 and dearest is £305.00 😮 😮 😮

I was hoping for something like John paid @ £30 – £40 squids 😕

anybody have some contacts for me to try?

cheers

Warren

[Warren Beard]

quote John Childs:

Sorry Warren, can’t remember the source, and won’t be able to find out until Monday.

The 2440 x 760 x 6mm toughened glass with polished edges and rounded corners cost me £34.00.

I was quoted £30/sqm 😕 I’m gutted at the moment as I really don’t want to pay over £100 for a piece of glass and my table arrives on Monday 😥

I might have to stick with the surfaces I have now 👿

Thanks anyway John (and they won’t deliver this far either 🙁 )

cheers

Warren

[Mike Robson]

We always use Stevenage Glass, although never tried for anything this big

http://stevenageglass.rtrk.co.uk/?scid=1580&kw=5461616

Don’t know what the prices will be like, or whether you’re anywhere near here for delivery.

[Lorraine Clinch]

Hi Warren

Try any double-glazing company. If they have removed any french/patio doors they will have toughened glass. This is how I got my bench, seperated the 2 panes of glass & laid both on the bench. Been used for 2.5 years now, 2nd one ready for use when top one needs changing.
You just need to find the right size!

[Warren Beard]

Thanks all, not had much luck with this so am trying to get some more 3mm Polypropylene material. Cheapest I could find that would deliver is £128 which costs more than the table 😮

I’ll try some double glazing companies, got nothing to lose 😕

cheers

Warren

[TimDouglas]

I got mine for £130 ( 8ft x 5ft ) Its two sheets of three mil together, love working on it , got lights fitted to it also. Great for getting your lines straight and don’t go offline, goes through about 5 scalpel blades per day at the minute but, don’t think i will go back unless something happens, Used it 2 months now with no scratches. Local double glazing company.

[Hugh Potter]

HI Warren,

not sure if you got my reply to your pm.

my glass came from britannic glass in Hailsham, east sussex. give em a call (but don’t offer to do their vans! lol)

3 yr ago i paid £110 for 2 peices 1750 x 800,

last year i had to replace one panel, it cost me £110, but that was my fault, they asked what i paid last time, and it never occurred to me that the £110 was for two pieces til a few weeks later… doh.

either way, even if that’s the price, + vat 😉 , then it’s cost me £220 for 3.5yrs of use, so thats what, £75 a year, less than a quid a week!

sure, the tips of your knife blades wear quicker, but you don’t get bits of plastic or heavy ridged appearing which can affect your taping up, layering etc.

i’ve sat on it, had well over 150kg on one half (all the vinyl rolls, and then some, when i had a big shufty about), i’ve dropped heavy items on it, including a 3/4lb hammer from 3ft above it, etc.

you only need protect the edges as this is the weakness, i broke one piece when a metal ruler, which was in the gap tween the glass ans wooden edge, got knocked along and it hit the tip of the corner of the next sheet, hell of a bang! i don’t mind admitting that i ducked rapidly! this was a completely unlikely thing to have happened though, never done it since either!

you can under-light glass (mine is simply covered in white vinyl on the underside), covering with vinyl also makes the clean up a lot easier if the worst should happen, and it’s so simple to keep ultra clean.

i’d spend the few bob extra and go with it.

Hugh

[Phill Fenton]

To be honest, I don’t see the need for a glass worktop. As James has already said it’s surely only going to blunt a scalpel blade anyway. I use 3mm grey forex as a sacrificial surface (although as yet I’ve never replace mine – simply turned it over).

Maybe I’m missing the point of a glass surface 😕

[Harry Cleary]

quote Hugh Potter:

. doh.

either way, even if that’s the price, + vat 😉 , then it’s cost me £220 for 3.5yrs of use, so thats what, £75 a year, less than a quid a week!

Hugh

😮
and I thought I was bad at maths!! 😀 😀

[Warren Beard]

Hi guys

Hugh I did get your PM thanks but they won’t deliver, I had some cheaper prices but all from people who are too far away.

Phill, is the grey Forex any different to white 😕 I find it cuts up too easily and needs replacing often, glass will last many many years and not get cut marks on it and is always smooth and clean and easy to keep clean.

I haven’t tried any double glazing co’s yet but will do soon, still waiting for the table though 😥

cheers

Warren

[Kate Pollard]

What a great thread im just about to move in to my first ‘proper premises’ after working from my dining room table for a year and a half… I know nightmare!!

Ive been thinking about workbenches etc and just reading this post has got me really excited about using a glass work top it makes sooo much sense and will look so much better in the unit esp with some lighting thanks guys im gonna start the sourcing process wish me luck!!

[Hugh Potter]

quote Harry Cleary:

quote Hugh Potter:

. doh.

either way, even if that’s the price, + vat 😉 , then it’s cost me £220 for 3.5yrs of use, so thats what, £75 a year, less than a quid a week!

Hugh

😮
and I thought I was bad at maths!! 😀 😀

not as bad as you thought Harry, that was a test i put up for you, we all know i shoulda put less than £2 a week ! well done ol chap!

[Phill Fenton]

quote Warren Beard:

Phill, is the grey Forex any different to white 😕 I find it cuts up too easily and needs replacing often

I believe it is – I’ve always assumed the grey pigment produces a harder surface than ordinary white Forex. I could be wrong though, it could just be my vivid imagination 😕

[Derek Heron]

because of limited space have two 1metre x 2metre benches with 1220x 2440 marine ply and polypropolene! sheets on top with a gap in the middle of i metre
one bench has the top fixed with home made masking unit
but the other bench is floating which means i can have a 16 foot by 4 bench or two seperate ones which is ideal for the ezy taper
thinking of getting glass tops as the top sheet grooves too easy
wil try and post some pics
derek