steel benchwork

[roadrat]

I read the piece on steel bench work in MR's last issue and decided to give it a try , What i did'nt know was that even after screwing it all together with the cross pieces it's still very "flexible" and is going to require using plywood on the top to make it stiff, the rest of my layout is just framework with foam on top.
So I guess my question is what is everyone's opinion on steel bench work



bill

[Javern]

I've never heard anyone complain about that aspect of the steel benchwork

[selector]

Bill, must you use plywood? Could you not get foam bonded or anchored to the supports and cross members? I would think that a few good gobs of latex caulk along the aeas where the foam sits on top of weight-bearing metal would end up being reasonably secure. Even wood screws of the right length would do well if enough were used to drive up into the foam through the holes in the metal. At least, I would try those methods to see if they would work.

[roadrat]

So far what I built is a 2' x 8' shelf and if you pick up one corner it will bend and flex
I guess I could latex on a piece of foam but i'm just not sure it will make the shelf rigid enough to attach to the wall,
adding the plywood is not a big deal but I did'nt think that I would need it.
I guess I thought that the steel would be more rigid than wood.

bill