METAL BENCHWORK
Metal benchwork is outside the norm for layout construction,
but can have advantages over a wood-framed layout. Anyone
who has built anything using wood knows you can face warpage
from atmospheric changes. Metal framing eliminates the warp-
age problem.
Metal is much stronger than wood with a higher strenth-to-weight
ratio. When building a double-deck or a mushroom-style layout,
you always need to deal with the support requirements for the
upper deck, so using something other than wood could help.
With metal framing, additional bracing and support can be re-
duced or even eliminated. Metal also can take loads in both com-
pression and tension, while too much tension loading on wood
and it breaks.
If you do decide to use metal framing for your layout, be pre-
pared. You will need to learn some new skills, and you'll require
some different tools. That could actually be a good thing!
John had the unique fortune of finding obsolete equipment cases
with aluminum frames he could use for benchwork. You may not
be as fortunate and need to purchase steel studs. Two sources
that we found located in almost in every city across the nation
are: Menards and Home Depot.
Here's an instructional site that can help you get started if
you're intrested in using metal framing:
.
If you are currently in the planning stages for your layout, take
the time to consider if metal framing might be right for you.
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