Beginner's welding table

[Dimitris3]

Hi all, first post here.
Last 10 years I have been working with wood as a hobby, and as a side effect I have fiddled a little with metals. Now I got mysellf a cheap mig flux plus all the basic accessories for welding and I am planning for the next steps.

For a welding table I am thinking of using the surface in the picture (melamine coated chipboard). It is almost perfectly flat and sits nicely on a spare foldable bench at a corner of the shop reserved for welding/grinding.
My question is, is this any good for the first steps in welding? Also, would you advise to add a metal plate on top (or top & bottom) of that and what thickness would be ok?
Last, is it doable to add some basic holes to the metal plate yourself (without having them laser cut). I have a small drill press and some basic skills in punhing/drilling, could also use some template. I have been looking for a welding table locally but they are way too expensive for someone who just starts the journey.

 

[gaz1]

this just use box section but you dont need holes as you can use slots instead

 

[Bouledogue]

Hi all, first post here.
Last 10 years I have been working with wood as a hobby, and as a side effect I have fiddled a little with metals. Now I got mysellf a cheap mig flux plus all the basic accessories for welding and I am planning for the next steps.

For a welding table I am thinking of using the surface in the picture (melamine coated chipboard). It is almost perfectly flat and sits nicely on a spare foldable bench at a corner of the shop reserved for welding/grinding.
My question is, is this any good for the first steps in welding? Also, would you advise to add a metal plate on top (or top & bottom) of that and what thickness would be ok?
Last, is it doable to add some basic holes to the metal plate yourself (without having them laser cut). I have a small drill press and some basic skills in punhing/drilling, could also use some template. I have been looking for a welding table locally but they are way too expensive for someone who just starts the journey.

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Hey @Dimitris3

That's not ideal, to be honest. I think you would be better scrounging a piece of flat plate from a scrapyard / stockholder / friend / etc., Or, one can get a lot of welding done with nothing more than a half-decent vice.

You don't need lines of neat clamping holes in your worktop at this stage, so I wouldn't waste your time on that.

Full disclosure: I learned to weld on my knees as a youngster, laying everything out on a concrete floor. Would kill me now. Am still a rubbish welder though...

Best of luck.

 

[Cobbler]

There is for & against a metal top, yes it won’t burn, but my metal topped bench is covered with burn marks due to my bad welding & also putting the rod down when arc welding & then a shower of sparks. I would say you’ve got it so use it, it will be fine. Easy to replace if needed.

Welcome to the forum, there is loads of information on here for new & experienced welders alike.