Metal work bench top

[motorsportbeng]

Hi all! I'm trying to set up a little work area in my garage, mainly just to re-build a few engines for a bit of pocket money in the evenings and weekends. (it was my day job for a few years)
I need some sort of clean, wipe-downable worktop cover for the prep'ed components to be placed on and sub assembled on etc. I'm sure we just used sheets of bent stainless at my old work place, can anyone recommend a cheap and suitable material and somewhere where it can be bought from?
Cheers

[HustleRussell]

Stainless ain't cheap. I just made mine in 18-gauge mild steel- not a spot of rust now after about 6 years. I did originally key the suface and apply clear lacquer but I think that coating is probably long gone and now there's probably enough of a film of oil and stuff on it to stop it corroding. No big deal to wipe it over with an oily rag every once in a while. Mild is obviously easier to form, weld and drill as well, which helps when you want to bolt a vice to it or something.

[stevieturbo]

It'd be easiest to track down some old catering benches. Trawl the likes of Gumtree or free ads papers, there will be stuff for sale all over the place.

That said, kitchen worktops are pretty sturdy stuff too.

[Evoluzione]

+1 for kitchen worktops. Try and find slightly damaged ones cheap, you'll get years of use from one especially if it's just for occasional use.

[Nick1point9]

Another vote for a kitchen work top. I use wickes/screwfix wall brackets to hold it (3 just to be on the safe side even though they are seriously strong).

I was lucky enough to find my bit of kitchen work top in my loft. Doesn't even match the kitchen in my house...

[MattYorke]

I got one of these. About the same price as the clarke economy engineers bench, but it's stainless.

[stevieturbo]

MattYorke said:

I got one of these. About the same price as the clarke economy engineers bench, but it's stainless.

That's a very good price for a brand new one.

[MattYorke]

Yeh, I bought 3.