Using steel studs for layout framing?

[DKS]

You're probably envisioning steel beams and "project" metal bar shapes. The metal we are talking about are sheet-metal 2-bys, which are significantly lighter than the wood equivalents. Great for weight reduction and dimensional stability in varying humidity, but a pain to work with, and relatively dangerous (sharp edges) when used in open framing.

I think "relatively dangerous" is a little misleading. The long edges of all metal stud members are folded over, so nothing sharp is exposed. And as long as you make joints carefully, and trim the ends such that no cut edges or corners stick out anywhere (which isn't hard), it's difficult to injure yourself on the stuff. Anyway, it's not like you use the benchwork like a jungle gym after it's built.

[C855B]

... it's not like you use the benchwork like a jungle gym after it's built.

Obviously, you haven't seen me crawl under layouts hunting for wiring bugs. 

OK, I'll back it off to "handling safety concerns", with the caveat that this issue is also dependent on the care the builder put into keeping the cut edges protected.

[ednadolski]

OK, I'll back it off to "handling safety concerns", with the caveat that this issue is also dependent on the care the builder put into keeping the cut edges protected.

I bend the cut edges over with a pliers, so that the sharp corners are folded underneath.  Also in some cases I cover the corners with metal foil tape.  Not perfect, but helps somewhat.

Ed