Minimum thickness for mobile workbench

[dakman324]

I am trying to figure out what is the thinnest gauge of 1in steel tubing i can get for the mobile workbench shown in the picture. Im not going to be putting extremely heavy things on it, mostly for general fabricating and building. I do both wood and metal projects.

The top will likely be a thick piece of mdf or plywood.

I am trying to build this as cheaply as possible, hence the reason why i would like to use tubing that is a bout .065 in thickness, which is at about 50cents a foot at my metal supply.
Would that thickness work with a design like this or maybe just putting tubing about 1/8 in thick on the perimeter be sufficient?

[ryanjones2150]

Minimum thickness for mobile workbench

That's a pretty substantial looking mobile workbench. What are the dimensions roughly?

What sort of work are you planning on doing on it?

I personally like metal top workbenches for most things. Things that shouldn't be on metal go on a rubber pad.

[dakman324]

Its going to be made from a single sheet of 4' by 8' mdf probably.

Im not going to be doing anything super heavy, but i like to build furniture and and will occasionally need something that i can bang into. Im not going to be putting things like an engine block or anything really over 100 pounds, but is still want it robust enough to be able to tackle some heavier things.

[eecervantes83]

Me personally would use a minimal of .095. that table with a 1/4" -3/8" top is what I would do.
And easily handle 500#

[Cgotto6]

Me personally would use a minimal of .095. that table with a 1/4" -3/8" top is what I would do.
And easily handle 500#

4'x8'x 1/4 or 3/8 is gonna be a little heavy to carry by your self. Not so good for mobile use.

[eecervantes83]

Im thinking mobile inside the shop with wheels. If thats not the case . He should just buy a folding table like the ones sold by miller.

[dakman324]

It has to be made from wood cause i need to cut a channel in the end near the cut off end to alow for some of my table saw jigs.

Im leaning towards 3/4in mdf

[novaman64]

I think you'd be fine with .065 (16 gauge). I built mine out of 2"x2" .065" tube. Its 2'x4' with a 3/8" plate on top. Think it costs be about $160 in steel to make, the top plate was the pricey part at about $110.

Here mine...

[walker]

For what you are doing .065 will be just fine.