My huge workbench update

Loren Patterson · Post by **Loren Patterson** » Thu Aug 02, 2001 6:23 pm

My huge workbench is nearing completion. Both parts (surface unit and leg structure) were built seperately because of their mass. I'm kind of hesitating to put it together until I get my new shop finished because if I bolt it all together then take apart to move it, the lag bolts wont grab as strong as the first time. For those of you not in the loop.. I'm making a huge armouring workbench out of 4x12 beams.. the table top is 5feet long and 21inches wide.. and the thickness of the table top is 12" since I set the beams on edge to create the table top. its massive. it has a total of 5 pieces of square tubing installed into the surface to act as hardy holes for my forming stakes. 2 holes accept 2" square bar, and 3 accept 1.25" square bar.. the whole table has been deeply coated with used motor oil, which gives it a dark aged look, plus it will prevent the wood from splitting. It looks really nice. Grand total? Id estimate about $200-$250. that's of course if you already have all the tools which I did...I'll get pics asap
- Loren

Rainald · Post by **Rainald** » Thu Aug 02, 2001 6:55 pm

Cool; I'm jealous. Just one question though:

..the whole table has been deeply coated with used motor oil,...

Doesn't used motor oil have all kinds of nasty crap in it that you don't want being absorbed into the skin?

"...Description: Petroleum based lubricating oils, that have been used in gasoline, diesel, propane or natural gas fuelled engines.
Chemical Identity: Complex mixture of variable composition.

2. HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS:
Ingredients CONC% CAS NO PIN LC50/LD50

Used motor oil consists of a complex mixture, based on liquid hydrocarbon lubricating oil-based stocks, together with residues of performance enhancing additives. The product may also contain variable amounts of unbured or partially burned fuel residues, particularly if the equipment is fuelled with gasoline or diesel fuel. There may also be variable amounts of other contaminates, particularly anti-freeze engine coolant. There is also the possibility that some of the hydrocarbons from the base oil may have degraded to form polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (P.N.A.'s). Some P.N.A.s are known to be cancer causing, and in some animal studies, prolonged contact with used motor oil has been shown to cause skin cancer.

3. REGULATORY CLASSIFICATION:

Class D, Division 2 - Materials Causing Other Toxic Effects. (Possibly only)
TDG: Shipping Name - Leachable Toxic Waste
Material Identifier: Used Motor Oil

4. HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION:

NATURE OF HAZARD
Inhalation: Not applicable.
Eye Contact: Used motor oil vapours are moderately irritating to the eyes.
Skin Contact: Prolonged skin contact may result in de-fatting of the skin resulting in Dry cracked skin and dermatitis
Ingestion: Not known to be toxic by oral exposure, but may be irritating to the gastrointestinal tract.
Toxicological Summary: The primary concern with exposure to used motor oil is the possibility of skin cancer development following prolonged skin contact. Other toxic effects may be observed depending on the presence of other contaminates in the oil. "

[This message has been edited by Rainald (edited 08-02-2001).]

sedric · Post by **sedric** » Thu Aug 02, 2001 7:24 pm

I hate you.
I want one of those too!
If I ever fight you on the field... I'm NOT going to hit you! So there!

Maybe several coats of polyurethane to seal in all the nasty contaminates.

Galileo · Post by **Galileo** » Thu Aug 02, 2001 8:02 pm

Yep, VarethaneÂ® (sp?) the crap outta (into?) that thing.....

G--

Loren Patterson · Post by **Loren Patterson** » Thu Aug 02, 2001 8:22 pm

Hey, if you guys can pick it up and pay for materials, I might make one for you. And about the oil... you must understand that when the oil has been absorbed and has dried, the surface is completely dry and the wood absorbs it so completely, that it would never come out. it doesn't even start to seap out either. I understand the concern and I am very safety oriented.. but I think that the potential danger factor might be so minimal, that it might take years and years to ever be affected. I bet its just as dangerous as the radiation from your TV.. which is a potential danger, but its so low and it hardly matters. I'm not a scientist though. And if it is really that dangerous, you would always use a different oil.. any oil.. but used motor oil is really cheap and we have way too much laying around so I used it.
And seriously.. if you can reach me with a truck or something, and you dont mind paying for materials and we can make some sort of deal to compensate for my time.. be it with money or a trade of some sort.. I would be willing to make another table. Here's some pictures of it.. NOT yet assembled...

http://www.geocities.com/elemental_ironworks/workbench.html

(all 5 pics total about 300k)

Enjoy.
- Loren Patterson
and8995@olywa.net

Dalewyn · Post by **Dalewyn** » Thu Aug 02, 2001 8:33 pm

Your bench looks way cool. I love the solid beam look, and the darkened aged looks of hte oiled wood. On an aside note, one time my father, who is a welder, decided he wanted a MASSIVE workbench. He bought a 4'x 8' sheet of 2" thick steel. Yes, 2 inches thick. We welded legs onto it, and presto, massive table. When we needed to fix something to it, we'd just weld it on. As for an anvil, who needs an anvil?

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Dalewyn
Dalewyn@dbis.ns.ca
www.AlchemyArmory.com

Steve S. · Post by **Steve S.** » Thu Aug 02, 2001 8:36 pm

Wow! Impressive looking bench! Are your "hardie holes" tapered or are they just square tubing?

Steve

Loren Patterson · Post by **Loren Patterson** » Thu Aug 02, 2001 8:44 pm

Steve, they are just square tubing. I figured they didn't need to be tapered because the stakes rest on the wood on the inside. The tubing is mostly there to prevent wear when switching between stakes.. otherwise the holes would wear out over just a few years use. also, when the wood shrinks, the holes won't change size. I'll be using wedges between the stakes and the tubing to prevent rattling.
*do I have anyone interested in owning their own? I wrote up a proposal if anyone is interested.*
- Loren

[This message has been edited by Loren Patterson (edited 08-02-2001).]

Loren Patterson · Post by **Loren Patterson** » Thu Aug 02, 2001 8:57 pm

Boy oh Boy, I should have mentioned that I live in Olympia, Washington for those who might be interested.
- Loren

Duc Kjosua · Post by **Duc Kjosua** » Thu Aug 02, 2001 9:04 pm

damn, if I lived closer I would love to have you make me one of those, but thats a little far to go.

I wouldnt want anything that big, but something about 2 foot by 4 foot.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Aug 02, 2001 9:27 pm

NICE work. Now I know I need a bigger shop.

jgalak · Post by **jgalak** » Fri Aug 03, 2001 10:09 am

Cool. I'd love to get one, but seeing as how I'm on the East coast, it's a bit far... Not that I have space in my city apartment, anyway.

Seriosly though, you might want to consider putting together a "how-to" on this, for the archive. When I get space for a real shop, I'd love to make one of these.

Remember, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

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Yehuda ben Moshe
mka Juliean Galak

Loren Patterson · Post by **Loren Patterson** » Fri Aug 03, 2001 12:02 pm

Well, I wasn't going to reveal this until it was closer to completion, but my place, I'm calling it Elemental Ironworks because of my connection to medieval technologies and more simple methods.. will have a good resource of unique articles Ive written ranging from making steel flanged maces, making halberds, making this armouring workbench, a fancy shield press, forge making, charcoal making, heat treating, basically I'll be transferring my brain onto a website. I'm working on it right now as a matter of fact. Look forward to it. It should be a great addition to the community.
- Loren
PS.. dont forget how I make rivetted maille.. making huge armouring stakes, forge welding, socket spear making, making hammers, axe making.. oh god, I have so much to write.

[This message has been edited by Loren Patterson (edited 08-03-2001).]

Pheylin Quinn · Post by **Pheylin Quinn** » Tue Aug 07, 2001 2:37 am

Hey, it looks like my benches BIG brother.

I completed a very similar bench recently out of 4x6's. It is 4' long x 2' deep.

I absolutely LOVE it! The tops is so heavy that you do not even need to fasten it to the stand, it doesn't even budge when I bump into it.

I used heat and pressure treated beams, but after seeing yours I think I will oil the surface. As you said, It will stop any cracking. I am currently using mine as a stake and anvil stand.

I believe the price was somewhere around $80, all parts from Home Depot.

Excellent work!

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Pheylin Quinn

Loren Patterson · Post by **Loren Patterson** » Tue Aug 07, 2001 10:15 am

You used pressure treated boards? I'm thinking the oil might not absorb hardly at all.. because that's the point of the pressure treating of course. Id try it on a test piece. Can we get some pics of your bench?
- Loren

Ideval · Post by **Ideval** » Tue Aug 07, 2001 11:32 am

Here at the Archive safety is often a concern. Consider that the used motor oil was even called into question. Often galzanization, or welding with the stuff, is leapt upon as a potential hazard.

Now, when I worked in a lumberyard, pressure treated was something that everyone stayed away from. It can't be cut with a saw, burned, or handled really. In fact, it was against the law for us to use a power saw to trim 16' boards down to transport length. If we did handle it, it was best to was off before forgetting and rubbing the eyes.

Or is the pressure treatment no longer toxic?

IdÃ«val

Loren Patterson · Post by **Loren Patterson** » Tue Aug 07, 2001 12:26 pm

I don't know about the toxicity of the pressure-treated lumber.. I've never heard that it was. My dad is a carpenter, professionally, taught me many things, and I've never heard about it being toxic, but I'm not saying that it isn't toxic, I've just never heard about it being so and its suprising to me. I didn't know that any chemicals were even used.

I would be interested in more people's opinion on using used motor oil.

- Loren

Mad Matt · Post by **Mad Matt** » Tue Aug 07, 2001 12:53 pm

Pressure treated lumber is indeed very toxic. It's treated with pesticides and herbacides basically all kinds of toxic chemicals I think arsenic or scianide is one of them. So burning it is a BAD idea. Also any slivers you get from pressure treated lumber will be much more likely to be infected, inflamed etc.

Generally it's all around nasty stuff.

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The budding mid 14th century German Transitional guy.
Mad Matt's Armory

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Tue Aug 07, 2001 1:27 pm

Loren,

When we have some time....I would like to work with you making a smaller version of your table.

Thanks,

-Aaron

PS: My step-sister is getting married this weekend...and I'm in riot-control the following weekend...so it might be awhile. Hopefully I remember which suit to wear...riot control gear at a wedding would be bad (or good depending).

Pheylin Quinn · Post by **Pheylin Quinn** » Tue Aug 07, 2001 2:36 pm

Not sure of the toxicity of the pressure treated beams. I know that, as a caution, they were cut in an open air environment. This bench is located in an environment where 90% of the metals are worked cold, so heat should not be an issue. Most welding is done outside of the shop, also. Due to the comments above I will certainly shy away from any hot-working.

I primarily chose the pressure treated beams (green deck beams) to keep the cost low and have a surface that will last for longer period of time. This will eventually turn into a stake/project bench and I will have a seperate stand in a different room (garage) for working hot metal. My current setup is in my basement and my wife is not thrilled with the idea of any type of open heating elements in the house.

Also, It does appear to absorb oils quite well.

Thank you for the comments and words of caution!!

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Pheylin Quinn

Loren Patterson · Post by **Loren Patterson** » Tue Aug 07, 2001 2:47 pm

Would having pressure treated beams exposed on the inside of a building cause any problems?
- Loren

Pheylin Quinn · Post by **Pheylin Quinn** » Tue Aug 07, 2001 11:58 pm

I spoke with my neighbor, a carpenter, this evening (I used his shop to build the bench). He stated that as long as the wood does not catch fire there is nothing to worry about. Depending on the type of treatment used, yes it could be toxic if ignited. I am using this for cold working, so I see VERY little chance that the bench would ignite.

If my house catches on fire I am sure that the bench would be the last thing to worry about as I have large amounts of plastic, paints and other materials that are as much or more dangerous than the treated wood in my bench.

I will however keep researching this topic. I appreciate the suggestions, comments and cautions given in this thread. It always pays to be more learned.

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Pheylin Quinn

[This message has been edited by Pheylin Quinn (edited 08-08-2001).]