csweatherston
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Registered: 16th Jan 06
Location: Devon
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Hi,
I have just picked up a dirt cheap snap on rollcab.
Its a bit tatty , but straight.. so its getting stripped down the off to the powdercoaters.
In the mean time i intend on making a worksurface for it.
This is the rollcab:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=651164&group_ID=681732&store=uk&dir=catalog
Its currently black but covered in scratches so will be going "battleship grey"
This is the "snap on" worksurface.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=642144&group_ID=674747&store=&dir=catalog
Im hoping to use: http://www.howdens.com/product-range/kitchen-collection/worktops/solid-wood-40mm-616mm-deep/
as this should be strong enough for what i need.
Can anyone tell me the properties of beech/ oak/ iroko and which would be best suited for what i need?.
Whats the hardest wearing, whats easiest to work with etc.
Or any other ideas appreciated.
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ash_corsa
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Registered: 15th Apr 04
Location: Shrewsbury
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Why use a solid wood when its just going to get battered and covered in grease and oil?
Id be using cheap laminate, wont stain, wipe clean and if it gets knackered just replace it.
What about some thick MDF board with a stainless steel sheet ontop, edges bent over to completely cover the MDF.
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Dave
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Registered: 26th Feb 01
Location: Lancs
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All three of those will be hard wearing, probably iroko hardest then oak then beech, however the worktop won't be as wide as the Snap On one.
As far as working goes if you are only cutting to length again they'll be pretty similar, certainly nothing that would make you buy one over the other.
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alan-g-w
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Registered: 9th Nov 07
Location: Glasgow
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I was thinking about this myself mate, fuck buying a top from them though. I was going to get the box makers at work to knock me something up maybe, I'm not fussed with just the mat just now anyway
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csweatherston
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Registered: 16th Jan 06
Location: Devon
User status: Offline
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I didnt get my 52 in the end Alan.. got a 54" rollcab instead lol.
Ash, Wood looks nice... I want something practical which still looks the balls whilst being functional.
Laminate...looks like laminate, and when steel gets scratched it looks cack.
Atleast with a "butchers block" i can sand it down if it looks too tatty.
Why wont it be as wide Dave?.
surely it will be as wide as i cut it?.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SOLID-OAK-WOOD-WORKTOP-2m-x-625mm-x-40mm-79-inc-VAT-/310387273514?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Kitchen_KitchenFurniture_EH&hash=item484485ef2a
With 1/2 a meter spare...to make a shelf?
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csweatherston
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Registered: 16th Jan 06
Location: Devon
User status: Offline
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Or
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Beech-Worktop-1-5m-X-605-X-40mm-Solid-Wood-Worktop-40mm-Staves-/251014839194?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Kitchen_KitchenFurniture_EH&hash=item3a71a67b9a
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Dave
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Registered: 26th Feb 01
Location: Lancs
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You're confusing length and width.
The Snap On one is 27 5/8", roughly 700mm, the Howdens ones(and most off the shelf worktops) are 616mm. I've no idea whether this will be a problem, just pointing it out.
Ash isn't particularly durable, although it would probably be ok for what you need. Personally I'd be going after something like teak which will cope well with the oil/grease.
A cheaper option would be a good plywood, you could double it up to get the thickness and cut it exactly to size.
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alan-g-w
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Registered: 9th Nov 07
Location: Glasgow
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 nice one mate
You'd definetely want a soft surface (wood, plastic or rubber I'd say) because it's just more ergonomically pleasing imo. Means you're certain that you're not going to damage any delicate components you put down on it either
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csweatherston
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Registered: 16th Jan 06
Location: Devon
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Ah, didnt even notice that. Thanks Dave.
Am i right in thinking hardwood needs oiling every so often?. so a varnish would be no good?.
I have thought of Marine ply, but wouldnt have a clue where to get it.
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Dave
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Registered: 26th Feb 01
Location: Lancs
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A varnish would be ok, if you really wanted to go to town you could use a bar top laquer, that would make it really hard, stop oil getting into the wood and be easy to keep clean.
Any builders merchant, Builder Center, Jewsons etc will stock ply, WBP with a hardwood face would be the best bet.
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csweatherston
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Registered: 16th Jan 06
Location: Devon
User status: Offline
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Update:
Just baught the snap on worksurface above...
Now i need to try and courier it from Hampshire to Devon.
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alan-g-w
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Registered: 9th Nov 07
Location: Glasgow
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Good shit mate, only reason I didn't go for the equivalent of that is the price of them!
[Edited on 19-03-2012 by alan-g-w]
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scottyp1989
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Registered: 29th Jul 07
Location: Warley, West Midlands
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http://www.diy.com/nav/build/timber/planed-square-edge-timber/Planed-Smooth-Timber-L-2700-x-W-34-x-T-34mm-9275824
i would have used couple lengths of that and some varnish TBH, like fuck would i be paying nearly £400 for a bit of wood thats going to get filthy and wrecked anyway.
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Dave
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Registered: 26th Feb 01
Location: Lancs
User status: Offline
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That'll most likely be whites, the same stuff you use for roofing/studwork. It's very soft and usually full of dry dead knots. Also the pic is a bit misleading as its 34mm square, not a plank like it shows.
Agree on the £400 bit though, massive Snap On tax there.
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alan-g-w
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Registered: 9th Nov 07
Location: Glasgow
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Not getting my back up or anything in case it sounds that way, but the fact of the matter is that because it's Snap On you know that it'll last - you only need to hold some of their tools to realise just how much time, effort and of course money has gone into the develpoment. I've not even got that many of their products but from the few that I do have or used, you'd be pretty hard pushed to find a better equivalent. Not to mention that everything's life guarenteed as far as I know so even if it does get wrecked I'd bet that they'd replace it to an extent.
[Edited on 19-03-2012 by alan-g-w]
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scottyp1989
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Registered: 29th Jul 07
Location: Warley, West Midlands
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Even if it is soft you can do it 50+ times over for the prive of the snapon one.
I know a guy who works for snapon, hes told me their policy is if the tool breaks then its come to the end of its life so out of warrenty, could be talking bollox tho.
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csweatherston
Member
Registered: 16th Jan 06
Location: Devon
User status: Offline
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Totally agree with Alan.
One of the older members of staff at my place had a cheap screwdriver shank snap and went through his palm.
Fot this reason i only use quality tools.
As with most thinkgs the snap on warrenty becomes void if you misuse the tool.
IE. using a spanner as a lever bar.
Luckily i managed to get the £400 worktop for £150, which is only slightly more than it would have cost to make it.
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