Suggestions for a workbench I'm building

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I'm such a rookie, this is my first real welding project. so far so good. Expect I made the mistake of not realizing that the angle iron support would allow the frame to twist along its axis. Feels flimsy. However I did this to allow a 2x8 ply top to be easily lagged on. I'm thinking about cutting off the angle and adding a 1x2 tubing in its place. I'm wondering if that would prevent the twisting. My reasons for not adding more support:This bench is going to be more of a secondary table to go along the wall and I wanted to have clearance to fit some smaller rolling tool cabinets underneath. Kind of like the Gladiator brand you see at Sears. In that case though the top is super rigid butcher block which adds rigidity to the otherwise fragile frame. The reason I went with this Spartan frame Sent from my iPhone using Last edited by Seawalker; 09-11-2015 at 02:00 PM.Reason: Picture didn't upload
Reply:add another angle up front, what are you going to loose? mabe an 1.5 inch in clearance..also along the back add 45s from the legs to the top angle for support and the top will help with twisting..you can always bolt it to the wall for more support..Of all the things I lost I miss my mind the most...I know just enough about everything to be dangerous......You cant cure stupid..only kill it...
Reply:Do you need the depth? You can add the 1x2 tubing just under the angle iron and another piece lower, matching up with the end horizontal supports.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:That's not a workbench, its a table. And an accident waiting to happen if the top isn't securely attached to the base and the base tied to the wall studs.Add a second stretcher across the back, about the same height as the stretchers in the leg assemblies.Be wary of The Numbers: Figures don't lie,. but liars can figure.Welders:2008 Lincoln 140 GMAW&FCAW2012 HF 165 'toy' GTAW&SMAW1970's Cobbled together O/A
Reply:Before posting, I clamped another piece of angle to the front and 45s to the back piece of angle, as tightly as I could and still had twisting. ? I can spare a bit of height. But I am short. Depth I'm not sure. I just got back from the steel yard with some tubing and I was thinking of adding the rectangular tube like Broccoli suggested. I think two anchors are what's needed to stop twisting. mike, I hear ya. It's a table. Ironically the Gladiator brand is built like this and they seem to have positive reviews. But I know that the expensive maple top adds the support. I used angle and not tubing originally because I was planning on bolting it to the back. But I decided to weld it instead. Thanks guys!Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:Oh I didn't think of bolting to the wall. That's a good idea. Concrete wall though :/  doable just a pain. Time to invest in a rotory hammer. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:Originally Posted by SeawalkerOh I didn't think of bolting to the wall. That's a good idea. Concrete wall though :/  doable just a pain. Time to invest in a rotory hammer. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:Add angle iron to the front and diagonal flat strap braces on the back.  It will be fine once the top is bolted in place.  If not, screw it to the wall.My name's not Jim....
Reply:the best way to stabilize any structure is X bracing. Add a lower back cross member then  tie end the back and sides by X bracing. You cannot eliminate the twist with no front bracing, but the X's will do the most.Miller TrailBlazer 251Miller HF-250-1Miller MaxStar 150 STLHyperTherm PowerMax 380 plasmaLincoln PowerMig 180Millermatic 252Miller Diversion 180
Reply:Originally Posted by mike837goLook into TAPCON fasteners. You may not need a hammer drill for the small hole they need.
Reply:I have some Tapcons and a bit. I try that. I'm going to add a piece of 3/4 tube to the front.  Like I said I clamped a piece of angle iron down hard on the front and it made no difference. Good to know about the x bracing. Next project is to build an actual workbench. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:Even bed frame angles will stiffen it up ,the road is a good steel supply yard! Rebar , water pipe, round bar all helps with a table. A pint of paint and a chip brush will make it look great.
Reply:Why not brace it like this? Since you are putting a top on it, why not brace the front?  Also, if it will be against a wall, bracing the bottom will not cause you to lose any storage space. Just my two cents....Learning to weld, one arc at a time.
Reply:Originally Posted by FyreTexWhy not brace it like this? Since you are putting a top on it, why not brace the front?  Also, if it will be against a wall, bracing the bottom will not cause you to lose any storage space. Just my two cents....
Reply:Originally Posted by mike837goThe top/front brace is redundant once the bench-top is secured to the frame.The lower/back one is absolutely required to keep the whole thing from going out-of-square. Then secure it to a wall.
Reply:Originally Posted by mike837goThe top/front brace is redundant once the bench-top is secured to the frame.The lower/back one is absolutely required to keep the whole thing from going out-of-square. Then secure it to a wall.
Reply:Originally Posted by FyreTexMike, I disagree.  If it were a metal plate top, then yes the front brace is redundant. But since he's using plywood, having a piece of angle iron across the front will keep the plywood from warping/sagging in the future.  I come from a family of carpenters and believe me when I say that gravity will cause that plywood to sag over time if any weight is put on it. Even something as light as a tv or potted plant will eventually cause a sag unless that front is supported.
Reply:Originally Posted by FyreTexMike, I disagree.  If it were a metal plate top, then yes the front brace is redundant. But since he's using plywood, having a piece of angle iron across the front will keep the plywood from warping/sagging in the future.  I come from a family of carpenters and believe me when I say that gravity will cause that plywood to sag over time if any weight is put on it. Even something as light as a tv or potted plant will eventually cause a sag unless that front is supported.
Reply:No worries Mike, think figured out a better solution --even though you weren't talking to me ; )Going to ditch the angle iron and add some square tube I got today. Back to the metal yard for the 3rd time. But this is my first real metal fab project other than art. I definitely learned two things. Metal is more fun than wood, and angle iron is not a rigid as I thought it would be. At least 11ga isn't. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:I'll eventually add a metal top but ain't got no truck, more $$$Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk