price check please

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hi, so i'm finally getting around to gathering all the materials to build my work bench but i just had some questions.i called a local steel yard today to get a price on a table top, heres what i got:1/8" x 3' x 8' mild steel -- $113 + tax  135 lbs.1/4" x 3' x 8' mild steel -- $200.75 + tax    245 lbsare these prices about right?this won't be strictly a welding table but a general work bench.
Reply:i just priced plate today 1/4" $6.05 sq ft and 3/8" $9.25 and $1 per cut w/ shear
Reply:Originally Posted by superwelderhi, so i'm finally getting around to gathering all the materials to build my work bench but i just had some questions.i called a local steel yard today to get a price on a table top, heres what i got:1/8" x 3' x 8' mild steel -- $113 + tax  135 lbs.1/4" x 3' x 8' mild steel -- $200.75 + tax    245 lbsare these prices about right?this won't be strictly a welding table but a general work bench.
Reply:Like Zap said, depends on the region's pricing.  Here in central AL, I pay $0.65/lb for plate steel.Lincoln Powermig 255Hypertherm Powermax 45Thermal Arc 161SOxweld 24R OA TorchStill Looking for an Old Round Top Idealarc 250
Reply:Originally Posted by superwelderhi, so i'm finally getting around to gathering all the materials to build my work bench but i just had some questions.i called a local steel yard today to get a price on a table top, heres what i got:1/8" x 3' x 8' mild steel -- $113 + tax  135 lbs.1/4" x 3' x 8' mild steel -- $200.75 + tax    245 lbsare these prices about right?this won't be strictly a welding table but a general work bench.
Reply:thank you guys very much. i know prices are different all over the country but i just wanted to get a ballpark idea. not sure if they have to cut it or if they charge by sq. ft or lb. but thats what they gave me.anyway, what would you guys recomend i get? i would love the 1/4 but i think it might be over kill.i was thinking about making a 3x8 frame and installing support bars about every 12" and using the 1/8" plate.do you think it would be more cost effective to do that of just make a frame and drop the 1/4" top on it.also, what do you think about using 6 4x4 legs and 1x2 for all of the framing?
Reply:and to sandy, this is from S & K steel on fruitridge. nice to see someone fairly local on here Last edited by superwelder; 03-31-2012 at 01:45 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by superwelderthank you guys very much. i know prices are different all over the country but i just wanted to get a ballpark idea. not sure if they have to cut it or if they charge by sq. ft or lb. but thats what they gave me.anyway, what would you guys recomend i get? i would love the 1/4 but i think it might be over kill.i was thinking about making a 3x8 frame and installing support bars about every 12" and using the 1/8" plate.do you think it would be more cost effective to do that of just make a frame and drop the 1/4" top on it.also, what do you think about using 6 4x4 legs and 1x2 for all of the framing?
Reply:If you can spare a little more money get the thickest top you can so it stays flat, also consider a steel frame. Try to not weld the top since that will warp it. Sounds like a fun project. You will love that table forever, but you only build it once!Miller diversion 165Miller mig 211Hypertherm pm 30Milwaukee 6230 14 inch chop sawMd 45 mag drill (RIP; fell on its head)New MD 45! Thanks to the esposa!Finally got an O/A setup
Reply:thanks for the help. it will all be made of metal, not wood. the reason i was thinking about 6 legs is because i didn't want it to start to bow in the middle over the years. so if you say 2x2 will work then i'll go with that. i was thinking about welding braces down the center of the bench to keep the top flat. do you think it would be worth it or would it just be cheaper to get the 1/4" ? reason i ask is because 200 is a bit much if i can get the 1/8 to work. maybe i'll split it and go 3/8?
Reply:If you buy 4x8's instead of 3x8's you may get a better deal because you are paying them to shear when you buy anything but a 4x8, 8x20, or 8x40 as those are the standard sizes for steel plate.
Reply:wow thank you very much for that info. i had no idea. i'll give them a call back. maybe this will allow me to get a thicker top.
Reply:Don't forget to ask them if they have crops lying around. Maybe even some rusty stuff they have had sitting in a corner and no one else wants. A good price can be worth the clean up work trade off sometimes. Also, a 1x4 crop plus a 2x3 crop etc can equal a top. Angle iron can be good for framing too and may be cheaper than tube.200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:thanks for all the advice. i'll probably just drop by there. so how about 2x2 for the legs and 2x2 angle for the frame? is 4 legs enough for a 8' table?
Reply:go spam some where else.
Reply:Originally Posted by superwelderthanks for all the advice. i'll probably just drop by there. so how about 2x2 for the legs and 2x2 angle for the frame? is 4 legs enough for a 8' table?
Reply:so your saying a 5th legs opposite of where you stand? its better than nothing but i really don't mind a 6th on the side you stand, i'm clumsy but i'll learn after i kick it a couple of times haha. id rather have it strong and flat for a long time.
Reply:If the frame the table top is mounted to is substantial enough to keep it flat, there should be no sagging or bowing in an 8' span. Spend your money on making the frame stout enough and you won't need to spend it on more material for legs.Less knee knocking to worry about, too. If the frame is inset in from the edge of the top to allow clamping, then the span becomes less than 8'. In my case I inset 4" on each side and the legs are mounted inside the frame so outside to outside of the legs on the long side are 47", 43" measure between the legs. With the legs mounted inboard of the edges it reduces knee knocking tendencies, too. I have my table positioned where I can work all the way around it, not just off one side or the other.Last edited by Bistineau; 04-02-2012 at 01:42 PM.
Reply:I agree on the inset legs.3x3 lightweight 11ga square tubing is more than enough for legs.  One cross brace is good for taking the bow out of the plate.  Place the plate, bow side down, then clamp the edges to take the bow out, then weld it up.The basic frameTop attached with minimal welding to keep it true.  The top is 1/4" materialThe all-important load test   (Back in the day before domestic bliss required cutting down to one beer nite a week  )Then paint it up so's you don't run into it in the middle of a moonless night Try to use tubing, it resists movement in all planes, and easy to fit up.  And for most work you don't need any heavier than 1/4 plate for the top.  If the table is to spend its life outside it's a good idea to incorporate treated lumber in the design.  Finally.....your top will be as level as your frame, fitup and welding to prevent distortion is the key here."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:I just rather not piss myself off by hitting my knee on something I could have designed better. Especially if I'm on a Bi-polar down-swing. Stuff might get thrown......Bistineau is correct as well, just a different approach to reducing sag. For eight feet you will want one or the other or both. Farmersamm's is nice and stout but the full boxed in frame would drive me to drink cheap beer.  Good color though!As I type this I'm eating a left over, 10"  pancake, with chocolate Ovaltine spread, rolled up around a banana........god dammit this is one of those things you just gotta tell someone about!! WOW!!200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:thank for the tips.Farmersamm, thats a great looking bench. what type of paint did you use?i also forgot to mention one thing, i'm making it portable so it will be on casters.
Reply:Sambo, that is one of the least over engineered projects I've ever seen you come up with...Lincoln PrecisionTig 275Miller 251Miller DialArc 250Bridgeport millHossfeld bender & diesLogan shaperJet 14 X 40 latheSouth Bend 9" 'C'Hypertherm 900Ellis 3000 band saw21"Royersford ExcelsiorTwo shops, still too many tools.