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I decided to build me a welding table, go figure ! So I went to the steel store and bought some parts to make it. Before I went I read a lot of the other members builds so I could have an idea on what to buy. So I went with what a lot of you guys and asked for 2'x4' 3/8'' plate for the top. The guy showed me how thick it was and said are you sure. Im like its what everyone else is using. I tried to pick a 2'x2' 3/8 and I was like damn. So I opted for the 1/4'' which is still hella heavy.What are you guys putting on these tables that you need it that thick and heavy? Here's what I picked up Attached Images
Reply:A real top is 2" thick, but 1/4" will work.  Just don't be pounding on it, and if you have to heat something hang it off the edge of the table or hold it in a vise.  Over time your table will prolly bubble up in the center, then it is time for a new top. So don't get real carried away welding it on.
Reply:u want the thicker top so it u have a flat surface to build on just my .02  how much did the    2x2 1/4 cost ya i gotta go buy a bunch of it for the tubing bender im gonna build
Reply:About $40 for 24'. I just think you have to be welding a car frame on a table that thick. I just need something to weld my little projects that I will be putting together. I have another table for the hammering. Thank for the advice
Reply:slim where did you pick up that tubing?  Alro in Boca?  That seems cheaper than I've seen.you could go with 2 layers of 1/4 if being able to move it yourself is a necessity.
Reply:Slim,It's not so much the strength of the plate, but rather the deflection/bending that is the issue.  The thicker plate will stay flat (hopefully is is flat to start with!) better when you have a workpiece clamped/tacked to it and you weld the work and the piece tries to move from the thermal effect of the welding.The dead weight of the plate helps to keep the table in place when you have to use the BFH for some fine tuning of the assembly you are working on.Thicker and heavier is generally better.  At a trade-off of the weight (plus for stability, minus if you have to move it) and the cost of the steel.  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:If you can afford it, and lift it, thicker is better.  I worked in a small shop that had a couple 4' x 4' x 1" tables.   The boss did the super precision TIG and kept his table perfect.  The other table was used for grunt work and we would tack weld blocks and angles and such to the table top to us as gigs and fixtures.  When you're done, then grind the tacks, break the stuff loose, grind the table smooth again.Some nice welding tables here:http://www.acorniron.com/products/platen.htmlhttp://www.bluco.com/welding/applications/small.html
Reply:Thanks guys, Hey Viper522 I got the steel from Mc Kinsey Steel in Ft. Lauderdale. Buy any chance do you know how to tig weld? I need help
Reply:No, as much as I wish I could, I don't tig weld.  I have a simple Lincoln MIG.
Reply:Well slim, some of these guys would cringe if they've seen the "tables" i've cobbled together back at my farm.  I use term table loosely as it's usually a mostly flat piece of metal I've found and used some framework I found laying around the farm and put the flat piece of metal on top of the frames, some got welded to the frames, some didn't.Now ideally I hope to have a nice thick nicely built welding table, but mine did the job for what I wanted, just couldn't hammer anything on the top of them.  As far as a place to sit a piece I was welding on on top of them, and they conduct electricity, and I could even clamp a piece of 2 to the table to hold it still for me, it worked just fine.  And for the average people who are getting into welding now and doing light hobby stuff, your 1/4" table should be more than adequate.
Reply:I'm eyein' an old washer and dryer sittin' out in the yard real hard  I think I have a ready made base for a bench.  WTH, it's gonna be sittin' outside for the next hundred years.Weld a few pieces of drilled angle on the underside of the plate, and sheet metal screw the plate in place.  The angle will serve as a stop more than anything.  Keep the plate from walking off the washer/dryer.  Just wide enough to hold the plate with the appliances scooched together.  Gravity will do the restDon't laugh, I'm just crazy enough to do it  Beats working on the ground or metal sawhorses.  Be downright civilized"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Im not quite finished yet with the  table. I bought a 3/8'' 4x3 plate of steel cause the 1/4'' just warps to easy whenever im over 100 amps. I know i dont have it welded down cause im trying to design this 3/8'' top sort of like the stronghand's version. I also put a reciever tube in the middle underneath so I can place a platform on both sides for the grinder and the vise. Attached Images
Reply:That red looks pretty cool.For easy clamping (and grounding), you probably should have built in some overhang for the top by making the frame a little smaller than the top surface piece -- although it looks like you've got your ground clamp working on it.
Reply:wait to you see the table top im building. Might be a little overkill but it will be cool
Reply:so... my table top is rather.  5/16" i think.it's quite servicable.   It's "quite flat"  within .025" anyhow.   I shimmed it and tacked it, and if it warps I can jack it around intill it's flat again easily.  all i need to do is maybe weld a nut to a crossbar and push or pull on it with a bolt.  pop off a tack etc...it's very nice for light work.
Reply:Hey Dsergison ! You dont have a pge for the build on your table ?
Reply:not really,  I just have a 2 pictures of it @http://www.sergisonmachine.net/pic_hostwasn't much special.  table is just about a 8'x3' or so sheet on 4" channel.  it's pulled tight to the wall with turnbuckles.   my point was only that rather than hell-for stout thick heavy expensive plate you can make a very usable setup/welding table from somehting rather more managable if you just gusset it a bit.  and i wouldnt bother with a lot of weld to hold the surface down in case you should need to tweak it or replace it down the road.as you can see there are links out to the rest of my shop site, but no links in.   it's not top secret, just some miscelaneous crap like when i want to sell a tool holdr etc..I made a nice press.  it's on that page.  it's pretty cool, has an out-board side so you an do stuff that wouldnt fit between the uprights etc...
Reply:Good work so far on the table.  May I suggest welding a big bolt to the bottom of the table for your ground clamp? Originally Posted by farmersammI'm eyein' an old washer and dryer sittin' out in the yard real hard  I think I have a ready made base for a bench.  WTH, it's gonna be sittin' outside for the next hundred years.Weld a few pieces of drilled angle on the underside of the plate, and sheet metal screw the plate in place.  The angle will serve as a stop more than anything.  Keep the plate from walking off the washer/dryer.  Just wide enough to hold the plate with the appliances scooched together.  Gravity will do the restDon't laugh, I'm just crazy enough to do it  Beats working on the ground or metal sawhorses.  Be downright civilized
Reply:Oops .... double-tapped .....Last edited by SpyGuy; 07-15-2009 at 01:34 AM.
Reply:Here is the welding table I built a few years back. It's 4' x 6' and has a 3/8 inch top. Good and heavy for anything done on it so far. The vises come in real handy at times and then get in the way other times.Don't mind the junk on it. very seldom is it real clean. Another view.
Reply:Well Im gonna be building anything I can think of now. I treated myself to an early Christmas. Im just a hobbist so this will have to do. Attached Images
Reply:Hey now, that's one nice package.  Are you sure Santa wanted you to have both of those at once??
Reply:Thanks, I guess Santa was tired of seeing me use that Econotig on everything!
Reply:Nice set up. Table is looking good, too. I used 3'X4'X 1/4". Holds up for plenty of hammering.Century Powermate 100 ( my first welder)Lincoln Precision TIG 185
Reply:looking good i hope to make a new table after the new yearhow do you like your new 211Last edited by ed mac; 12-02-2009 at 10:16 PM.Its pretty cool. Im suprised at the power it puts out on 110v and it doesnt draw down all the lights in the garage. I cant really explain it but you can hear the difference in the inverter vs transformer .
Reply:Originally Posted by OldsculeNice set up. Table is looking good, too. I used 3'X4'X 1/4". Holds up for plenty of hammering.
Reply:Being scottish and a wee bit frugal (i.e. cheap) I went for an economical table-top that works very well:  If any of you know anyone that works for a rail line or railyard, the steel plates that hold the train rails onto the wooden ties are often abundant and very thick (almost an inch at the thickest point).  They are tapered on top with an uneven shape designed to accomodate the rails and spikes, but if you flip them over, the bottoms are flat.    I welded two of them end-for-end and they spanned the width of my table top (about 3 feet wide).  Just repeat this and then weld the next set to the side of the first, and so on for the length of your table.  8 plates will do a good sized table.   While they may not be perfectly flat, they more than make up for it in price!Lincoln AC225 & MigPak 140, Lincoln Magnum SpoolGun, Miller Spectrum 375-X Plasma, Syncrowave 200 TIG, Millermatic 252 MIG, Miller Digital Elite, General 7x12" horiz/vert bandsaw, 3' box/pan brake, 20 ton press, milling machine, 12x28 lathe, etc.
Reply:Need some insight. Im practicing my tig welding so I can do a notch on my truck frame. I can do it with my mig but for some reason I want to tig it. Be kind, im sensitive Attached Images
Reply:im not sure why every one needs such a heavy top to their table my dad had a piece of 3/16 x48"x20 feet long and we built spiral stairs and staight stairs hand rails on it   It never buckled or bowed was always leval and flat if we needed to beat on something that hard we had an anvil  i guess just use the right tool for the job its like using a wrench for a hammer it works but not properly  but as to your question your 1/4" table for as small as it is will be plenty for youLincoln Pro Core 125Lincolin sp 100Miller Big 40Lincoln Idealarc SP250miller matic 212http://www.facebook.com/hdwelding?sk=wallwww.hdweldingbeds.com