Perfect welding table materials

[Archie]

No, I don't think that sounds reasonable at all. A 2000x1000 sheet of 3mm should be about £30 and the same in 10mm about £100. When you think you want less that a fifth of a sheet...

 

[Dusty]

That's a tad "How Much, er, er I'll think about it" click phone goes dead....

But thinking about it, well if that is delivered to youre door and saves you time and effort to go out and find a cheaper bit then,.....ok

I don't know how much youre time is worth, I'm lucky I could combine the trip to the metal shop with other business in the local town and had the carring capacity in my disco to cope with it. add the vechicle running costs for the extra 5 miles, etc well you get my drift.

As you only want a smallish bit I'd be going for the 6mm, you can build a bigger bench later if you need it.

 

[Mikey98118]

Hi guys,

I'm looking to make a welding table, and want to source the correct materials. I was wondering what people thought would make the perfect welding table. I was thinking of crazy stuff like sheet copper for great conductivity on top with brass plate underneath for a good heat sink, or aluminium on top.. what about mild or stainless steel? Obviously, the rust on mild steel is a problem, and painting it is a problem too with the conductivity factor..

There is no such thing as a "perfect" or ultimate welding table. Basically there are two types that do well:

(A) Shallow 5/32" to 3/16" plate trough with cross braced bottom, and lined with firebrick does very well for general metalwork.

(B) Heavy steel plate (3/8" plus), with crossbraced bottom supports and 3" to 4" pipes for uprights. The plate should be inspected with a string before acceptance. String is pulled taught and trapped with "C" clamps to make sure plate is flat. Then, string is pulled taught and trapped in diagonal corners. More string is trapped in an opposite corner, pulled taught, and brought down in other corner to see if plate is torqued.

Parts can be tacked on this table, quickly cut free with a cuttoff wheel on a rotary tool, and then cleaned off with a large diameter flat wheel on a side grinder; it will remain flat for years. Oil the surface between projects to prevent serious rusting. Built in squares on tabletop, tool storage below, etc. are add-ons for later.

 

[wookie]

how big are you making the top? 2x1 of 10mm is about 100notes where i buy from.

I guess the table I got for 40 quid was an absolute bargain then, 3ft by 6ft and 25mm thick, on legs made from 2"x4" box

Just keep looking out for any business that's shutting down, that's where mine came from.

Cheers
Wookie

 

[Weldingartisan]

Well, I mentioned the ridiculous price of steel to a friend at work, and he mentioned that he happened to have a metal table frame (box section, with angle steel on top), just lying around gathering rust.. I've got that now, and it's not that rusty at all, so I just need my plate to go on top. I've got quotes for 640x550mm plate now. Was wondering if you think they're reasonable (the prices include postage)

4mm £35
6mm £45
8mm £55
10mm £65

All mild steel, cut to size.

Those prices are OK. Somebody has to handle it, cut it, dispatch it and work out what to do with the odd shape they're left with! Which cannot be compared to sheet prices. W/A