Building a work bench

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I'm looking at building a work bench over the winter to replace my wooden one in the garage.  I'm thinking of going with angle legs and frame but I had a few questions.  If I wanted a 5' bench what angle would I have to go with to stretch that distance without sag?  Also, what do you guys recommend for a top?  I'm trying to not spend a fortune on the thing so any tips would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks
Reply:I would frame the top with tube, rather than angle. Angle sags quicker than tube. Angle legs are ok, as always- jmo.Last edited by tanglediver; 11-17-2010 at 01:20 AM.City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:spend some money on a thick top and you won't regret it.  The table will likely last a long time.My name's not Jim....
Reply:What are you going to be using the bench for?Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:If you can afford a 1/2" top, that would make a great top for a small table that isn't having industrial-weight work done on it.  Sometimes you can find heavy used plate on Craigslist or other classifieds and buy it at scrap prices.  I agree on the tube as well, and you'll get more strength for your money if you buy rectangular instead of square and turn the wider leg vertical.  The prices for equivalent strength (not thickness) will be so close as to be a wash.My 2 workbenches are a lot different b/c they serve different purposes.  One has a broke piece of 11 ga x 4' x 8' stainless for a top.  I use it for small mechanical work, like carburetor rebuilds.  It has a backsplash at the rear that rises about 10", a 3' deep working area, and the front curves down about 2" and is welded to a carbon steel underframe made of 3" x 4" x 1/8" rect tubing which creates a clearspan underneath for its 8' length, great for storage.  I don't do any welding or fab work on it, and it wipes off just as clean as the stainless in a restaurant.  It's tall enough that I store my stool and tool cart under it.My fab workbench top will be a 6' x 10' piece of 1" thick steel, and won't be quite as high.  There will be a decent setback of probably 8" on the underside before you get to the framing underneath, to leave room for clamping.  I'm in the process of dickering with the top's owner to get it at scrap prices.  It's been in his shop for years and he wants to get rid of it.  I will probably frame it up with 3" x 4" x 1/4" rect tubing b/c that's what I have on hand.  I should really get on with buying it but because all of my work is mobile it's not so critical.Watch your welds on the top, especially with thinner material.  It will be easy to warp the top, and a true flat surface would be my number one reason to have a fab workbench in the first place.  Mess up here and you will always be fighting it.
Reply:Thanks guys.  I'll be using it for basic work bench duty.  Nothing too heavy duty.  Mostly I just use it to work on stuff, like motorcycle parts.