Anyone convert a commercial stainlesssteel table to countertop?

12 years ago

Hola,

Anyone convert a commercial stainless steel table to countertop?

Trying to think outside of the box, to save $:

- what if I took a commercial 16gauge stainless steel table (like this one for $650),

- cut off the legs,

- cut out a hole for the induction cooktop, and

- epoxied to the 1-1/2" of plywood underlayment?

I have a 16feet long wall of counters, between the left wall (fridge/MW) to the right wall (past the cooktop).

I plan to split the countertop material into 2: left side w/ sink will be quartzite, and right side will be stainless steel.

It seems like to integrate a sink is most of the cost of the countertop/complexity, so while I would love an integrated seamless sink/countertop, I can live with an undermount sink.

So all I need to do is to cut out a hole for the induction cooktop and plop the table onto the counter, YES?

I have called around local metal fabricators and most of them have been reserved to do such a small project or too expensive, etc (but that was when I had requested integrated sink).

Would love help or pictures, etc.

Thank you,

Amanda

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Comments (10)

chesters_house_gw
12 years ago
You would have to deal with the finished edges -- not sure how to do that.
You wouldn't have to remove the legs. They are usually packed separately.
If you find a hack for this (again, not sure how to deal with the finished ends and the attachment slot for the legs, which is to say how you get a flat piece of metal), you'll find that the leg style you chose is more expensive that four legs with an undershelf. Maybe a bonus extra shelf.
But if you could do all of that, it would probably make more sense to buy the stainless, bend it to underlayment, and make your own countertop.
Alex House
12 years ago
If you can get the table for free, then the hack/mod might be worth considering, but if you're spending $650 for the table and then you're going to mod it, I'd advise redirecting the $650 to metalworking shop and have them make you a counter.
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mulemom
12 years ago
I've thought about this idea also...but not with a new $$$ table, but with something used. You might want to check out the publicsurplus.com site. It's an online auction site that sells well... public surplus. I recently got two 48 inch stainless steel commercial kitchen shelves for $4.... for the pair. One of our local community colleges had built a new cafeteria and posted all the old kitchen and cafeteria items on this site. Who knows when and if you will find what you want, but if you are not in a rush, this site is worth watching.

Also, have you considered zinc? Check out rotometals.com. They have links to diy videos and even though their price list only shows zinc sheets upto 120 inches, you can get a price on a longer sheet by calling them.

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ci_lantro
12 years ago
Amanda, I've thought of this before, too. Only I'm just interested in using them for countertops. Like mulemom, I'm thinking used equipment, too. Already has the patina so I wouldn't agonize over the first 500 ugly scratches. Haven't gotten around to investigating the under-structure of the tables to get an idea of how it might work.

Do keep us posted on what you discover. I'm really interested to know.
ucgal
12 years ago
We just had stainless counters installed. We were dismayed by the quotes we got from 4 different local sheet metal shops. We went to a local restaurant supply store and asked them... turns out they work with fabricators to make stuff for restaurants.

We were able to get our L shaped stainless counters with integrated sinks for about 60% the price quoted by the cheapest sheet metal shop.

Try going to your local restaurant supply shop to see if they offer this service.

I'm not sure where you're located, but we used Chef City in San Diego.
linda.1111
12 years ago
found this place in FL and do alot of outdoor kitchens. specialtystainless. This is the cost estimator http://www.specialtystainless.com/quote/budget_calculator.php (idk if this works). They will do cut outs and even integral sinks. I priced out something like 6 feet with 1 sink and it was about $1600 or $77 per sq ft. idk what the shipping will be.
bmorepanic
12 years ago
I also got a recommendation to someone who did restaurant work - otherwise I wouldn't have stainless anything.

If what you need is close to their offered sizes - you might consider buying just the top - in the link is one source and the price isn't too bad.

I might try asking a sheet metal place or two if they'd hack the piece you brought them.

Here is a link that might be useful: Just the top
lcm_maine
12 years ago
Just wanted to second -- and thank the suggester for -- the idea of going to a restaurant supply house. Even here in the wilds of Maine, the restaurant supply guy got us a stainless counter for our mudroom with an integrated deep 16 gauge sink for 60% of retail. Brilliant idea, thanks.
Circus Peanut
12 years ago
hey lcm -- which supply place did you go to? We're in Portland and in the market for some stainless tops for our laundry room. Thanks!
lcm_maine
12 years ago
circuspeanut --

We went to Caprara's in Winthrop (link below). We dealt with "Vic" who sourced the top/sink.

Here is a link that might be useful: Caprara's

Anyone convert a commercial stainlesssteel table to countertop?

Comments (10)

chesters_house_gw

Alex House

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