temporary welding table - 1/4" plate for top?

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I'm going to the steel place this weekend.  Looking for a piece of steel plate that is between 2x3' to 2x4' to use as a temporary welding table top.  Plan to support it on a pair of metal sawhorse.I only plan to weld a few times a year, so don't want something to take up much room.1/4" steel plate is 10lb/ft².  So this top is going to be already 60-80lbs.I plan to make an inset frame under it,  probably with 1" angle iron,  or 1" square tubing to stiffen it up.  Will this be enough to prevent sag?My goal is to make it light enough as possible.PeterLast edited by peteec; 04-07-2011 at 11:33 AM.
Reply:1/4 inch plate is too thick, will be too heavy.   My portable table is 18ga with 1 inch square tube frame, 2 feet by 4, a nice size, easy to move,  I put it on folding metal sawhorses, have used it for several years, use it a lot, like it a lot.    The 18 ga warps some, so when I need a flat surface to clamp two pieces together I use a small piece of 1/4 inch plate to clamp against. I would suggest 14 ga top with 1 inch square tube frame.   I welded mine together with oxy-acetylene, the sheet metal would probably have warped less with MIG.RichardSculptures in copper and other metalshttp://www.fergusonsculpture.comSyncrowave 200 Millermatic 211Readywelder spoolgunHypertherm 600 plasma cutterThermal Arc GMS300 Victor OA torchHomemade Blacksmith propane forge
Reply:Hi Peter,If you're only welding a couple times a year, you could save the bucks and just use a couple pieces of 3/4" plywood/MDF screwed together if you don't require welding fixtures to the top (usually you can get around having to do this). If you're just welding a tube to a tube or doing light repairs, lay up the pieces on the ply table top, tack them, then weld up off the table surface or place a square of alum. flashing or tin under the weld to get a bit of protection to the top. If the top gets burned up, flip it. When that side gets nasty too, take the two pieces apart and put them back together with the clean sides facing out. That gives you four tops total. The wood will take quite a bit before needing to change. Some will make it seem the whole sheet will burst into a raging fire if you weld on it. Not near the truth. Keep a little spray bottle handy if it makes you sleep better, but save the money for more tools!! If you're needing to weld down a bunch of fixtures with super holding power, then ignore the above.........200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:Richard makes a good point about using framework for adding rigidity vs. just using a thicker solid plate, since it affects the weight / portability.  You just need to keep the top surface of your framework good and flat where the plate will go and you also want a thick enough plate to be durable and not warp.Bar grating (like they use on mezzanines) would make a pretty nice stiffener: