Plasma cutting grate question

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I am new to plasma cutting and want to add a cutting grate on to my welding table, for cutting sheet metal patterns and etc. I'm wondering if a 1.5" thick cast iron grate for a fire pit would be OK to use, or should I just wait until I can get the needed bar stock, and make one out of steel?TIAGary
Reply:If you already have it, try it. If it doesn't work well, go with the steel. Post a pic and we may be able to give a better opinion.
Reply:Any sort of grate used for plasma cutting is going to have to be replaced at some point.  The cast iron would probably work, but most people build tables with slats so individual slats can be replaced when they become damaged and the material doesn't lay flat any more.
Reply:I have 2" flatbar on it's side, 1/8" thick for slats on my cnc plasma cutting water table.The slats have been inplace for a year and a half and I use the cnc every other day. The slats are well worn in and cut up but I just keep using them. I built the table so I can easily replace the slats but I see no need for that yet.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:2" flatbar on it's side, 1/8" thick for slats.I am using 2", 1/4 inch, 1" OCBut use your cast iron it should last a long time.
Reply:I don't have so much experience yet and cut just for hobby/fun butin my opinion I'll say the following:- if building welding/plasma table from the start - consider usingsteel grates as the guys mentioned (slats 1/8") and the heightreally depends on how much you use it - even 1" or 1 1/2" may beenough if you don't do this every day. And after all you will alignstraight cuts to coincide with the spaces between the slats - theslats will last you a long time.- pick up some sort of container (I found a nice big stainless bakingtray) to hold a couple of inches of waterunderneath - it will help you with keeping things clean- if you/ve got a grate (cast iron or other except for something which will be a healthhazard eg galvanized) use it -  it should just have sufficiently large spacesbetween the "slats" so you're not cutting it all the time
Reply:Here's what I made....I took angle iron and made a frame.  The "frame" sits on top of my metal welding table in nice "Lincoln Electric Red" color   I then took flat bar (9 total) and put the smallest little tac weld to hold each one evenly apart from each other.   When a piece or pieces of flat bar get all jacked up from cutting and plasma work, it's easy to remove one and replace with a fresh piece of steel.  On the opposite end of the table, a very small C-Clamp (not shown) holds down the entire "plasma frame" on the table.  In the event when I'm cutting some heavy steel thats atop of the actual grates, the c-clamp at the other end of the table prevents the entire "frame" from tipping lifting off and having my project fall to the floor or on top of my steel-toed boots! The third picture, you'll notice I put some silver spray paint around the edge of the "frame," but not where the 9 cutting slats are.  I don't know what I was thinking.  After I took the picture, I took a grinding disc and sanded away all that silver paint.  Paint and burning welding rods or mig wire doesn't do well.  The plasma frame is all bare steel now, the way it should be.  If I don't want it on top of my welding table, I just lift it off.  For storage however, I just keep it on the table pretty much all the time.  It doesn't get in the way of welding. Attached ImagesLast edited by SuperArc; 12-14-2011 at 06:35 AM.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:Nice Superarc. The same idea could be used with either a receiver setup to attach it to the table, or using hinges and a brace if you wanted it to fold for storage. That way you wouldn't have the raised edge on the main table. I'd probably go with a receiver set up myself so you could also install a table extender or vice if you wanted to..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWNice Superarc. The same idea could be used with either a receiver setup to attach it to the table, or using hinges and a brace if you wanted it to fold for storage. That way you wouldn't have the raised edge on the main table. I'd probably go with a receiver set up myself so you could also install a table extender or vice if you wanted to.