Aluminum desk top

[worksology]

Okay, okay! I'll look at stainless steel!

I totally get the push for laminate and even the metallic spray paint finishes. I've used both for different projects, and have been wildly happy with both. But I'm leaning towards a genuine metal surface for this project, at least until the all the obstacles of doing so reveal themselves and I relent to something more synthetic.

Reluctantly, I'm agreeing that it looks like aluminum just isn't the right material for this purpose. Stainless steel 304 with a #3 finish is what I'm looking at now.

[star kitty]

Originally Posted by worksology

Okay, okay! I'll look at stainless steel!

I totally get the push for laminate and even the metallic spray paint finishes. I've used both for different projects, and have been wildly happy with both. But I'm leaning towards a genuine metal surface for this project, at least until the all the obstacles of doing so reveal themselves and I relent to something more synthetic.

Reluctantly, I'm agreeing that it looks like aluminum just isn't the right material for this purpose. Stainless steel 304 with a #3 finish is what I'm looking at now.

I liked stainless steel as well, until I found out the price was double that of aluminum. Also, the table seeing use from glassware and other objects is what I want to see. I have worked my butt off trying to get this trailer camp-worthy and I can't wait until it shows some sign of use!

The issue that Shari pointed out is somewhat of a concern regarding certain alcoholic beverages corroding the aluminum, seeing how those are my two favorite drinks, so I will need to be careful.

But I say use the aluminum and let it show some scars. It's a travel trailer, not a museum show piece!

[zedex]

Yup. Stainless is the better than aluminum.I have a few 4x8 sheets of .080 in my shop. What dimension do you need? Shipping will be astronomical.
In all seriousness stainless scratches pretty easily too but can be buffed out if its not too deep. I know stainless and aluminum are very cool and all but laminate is still your best bet . A month or 2 down the road and your stainless top will look used and abused where as laminate will look like the day you layed it down. Also. With laminate you can run a hardwood border around your table, lay the laminate right over everything and run around it with a contour bit router and you have a perfect edge.

[FL Crackers]

Worksology -- sorry I don't have good pics to share (I do have some), but I went the aluminum route. I gutted a 1978 Tradewind and put in two aluminum counter tops, the refrig front panel and a 25"X48" dinette table top. We've only been put four times since November when we got 'er done, but we're very happy. Yes, the aluminum is softer than stainless, but like you, we weren't looking for the glossy finish. We think the scratches, rubs and scuffs are going to make it a nice surface over time. It cleans up okay. I don't know about all chemicals, but do NOT EVER use chlorine or bleach.

[FL Crackers]

Actually I did find a few not-so-pretty-good photos. But you'll get a feel. We also added an aluminium over-sink shelf recently that's not in the photo.

[Lance M]

I vote for stainless! I had the service counters in my office surfaced with stainless. They held up wonderfully. When they get scratches, it looks used in a very cool way.

[FL Crackers]

I agree. If you can afford it, stainless is the way to go.

[Silverfoxrae]

I have custom stainless steel counters in my boat. I have a great metal fabrication shop nearby and there are people who are itching to get their hands on anything different and even challenging. We had some detail involved (two openings for refer holds with lids) and quite a few bends. It's approx. 4' long and 2' wide. It was made out of #2 (I think) a really good grade polishable stainless. I think it was less than 4-500. Amazing stuff. Sanitary easy to clean, easy to buff with a soft cloth & a little metal polish once/year.

Rae

via~ AIR Forums App.

[vswingfield]

I also agree with the stainless idea. Check with restaurant supply houses. They deal in stainless fabrications for commercial dish washer installations and vent hoods.

[worksology]

After evaluating all of the options, including playing around with some samples of a variety of aluminum alloys, I decided to go with an aluminum desktop as originally planned. I'm pretty optimistic that we'll love it. The runner-up (or Plan B, if it comes to it) was an $80 brushed aluminum laminate countertop from IKEA.

I ended up buying a 6-foot sheet of 3003 aluminum, 0.063" thick, from Airparts, Inc. in Kansas City. I've cut it to size and earlier tonight bonded it to a 3/4" sheet of Baltic Birch plywood (13-ply) with contact cement. Tomorrow I plan to glue a 5"-wide second layer perimeter to the bottom of the desktop to increase the total thickness to 1.5" and 25 plys.

Here are some photos. The desktop measures 59"W x 27"D.

[tinman54]

Originally Posted by star kitty

I made a 33" x 34" dinette table with 3/4" plywood and an aluminum top. Used contact cement for the adhesive. I wanted the look of both metal and wood so I left the plywood edging exposed. I really like it up against the aluminum interior skin, but I didn't realize that exposure to your skin can make you sick! Found the aluminum at a local salvage store. It was inexpensive and they cut it to my size. Good luck.

I like this look but agree with the other comments about durability. I may consider this with stainless steel on top with the baltic birch underneath.

[Wabbiteer]

I watched the sears appliance repair office dumpster everytime I shopped there and nabbed two full length stainless steel refrigerator doors they tossed after cannibalizing seals or some other repairs parts off of.

I cut the molded interior plastic out with a rotozip saw and have two lightweight (foam filled) desk sections waiting to install

[elfirebob]

Josh,
Same direction I'm heading on my 1970 Safari. Aluminum over the ply.
Stiking with the "salvage" parts idea, the dinette table will be 24 by 48 inches up front.

Wabbiteer,
great idea...


Wanted: 18w X 22h side window, 70 AS.

[scarylarry]

I'm wayyyy late on this, but anyone dead set on aluminum could finish it like we did our front door. It is steel but did the same on aluminum backsplash. Just use an small grinder with a Roloc disc to get whatever design you want to use then we did a candy color & clearcoat. The clearcoat will damage as paint would, but it will hide your scratches on the aluminum! It's hard to tell from the photo but there are flames in the center. The whole thing has a 3-D effect.