Welding Table Top Thickness ?

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I am building a Welding Table, well I have a set of legs and frame work for a welding table and need a top. Approx 36" x 60".I was thinking 1/2" plate but maybe 3/8" would work, what is your opinion ?Oh ya, if you are around Boston and happen to have a piece laying around let me know.Thanks,NnF
Reply:i used 3/8 on mine.  it is about the same dimensions as yours.  i used 3/8 to try and stop it from warping with the heat.  $150.00 was the cost of just the top 3/8 plate.jake
Reply:hopefully the pic is attactched.  this is a pic of my table.  i think 3/8 will be fine.
Reply:nope, sorry i cant post a pic. for some reason.
Reply:i use 3/8 on mine also!works good for me, i try not use it as an anvil  i don't have a spunky username just what it is, me!
Reply:I have a good supply of used 3/4" plate, most material has some yellow paint on one side and rust on the other. All pieces are 30" wide, by 10' long, I will cut to size and sell for a reasonable price, e-mail me your length, I will get back to you with a price.  I am south of you, are you anywhere near Rockport, MA?Just my  opinion, not from a book, just from the road.Howes Welding Inc.www.howesweldinginc.com
Reply:tessdad,  A lot closer than you think...3/4" is too thick, 1/2 was going to be a little heavy but a 36" x 60" piece of 3/4 will be way too heavy.I think 3/8" will be my choice, do you have any used 3/8" Plate 35" x 54".Thanks for the replys.LaterLast edited by NnF; 06-09-2005 at 06:22 AM.NnF
Reply:My used stock is limited. A 30" x 60" piece of 3/4" would weigh about 375#, (I would cut a piece to size for you -- $150.00 -- cash) but also, it will not need any horizontal supports, the legs can be welded on direct. My main work table is 3/4" x 5' x 10', with 2 - 30" x 5' extensions on each end. Yes, 20' of usable table, GREAT for rail layout. I draw the rail full size with soapstone, then cut and layout the material. The painted stock is 6" long spacer shims I have pre-cut to center pickets to main rails, etc. The different colors help to identify the thickness of a spacer (yellow is 1/4"  thick) the paint also help to keep the spatter off of these "tools". Attached ImagesLast edited by tessdad; 06-09-2005 at 08:12 PM.Just my  opinion, not from a book, just from the road.Howes Welding Inc.www.howesweldinginc.com
Reply:I use 4'x8'x1/4" and run miles of hand rail......it does take some bridging under it (2"x2"x1/4") angle. I like wheels on mine to, just to move it around. Attached Images
Reply:tessdad,  Thanks but I have to pass on the 3/4" Plate, too thick.My leg system is from a HD work bench. I think too thin to weld to the table top.  They are strong and don't move around but thin.I think for my purposes they will work OK, if not I will go from there.Thanks,NnF
Reply:i would a walk way grate . like you see at the refineries 1/4" x 1". it wont hold the heat as much and no warpping.and when cutting slag falls through.
Reply:NnF, yes for those legs the 3/4" is too much. I do have some drops of4" pipe that could be yours for cheap, and you could put casters on those. Also, I think I do have some 1/4" used plate near your dimensions, I will check.  The reasons I like the heavier plate are many, but, a short list: I can weld clamps or dogs anywhere on the table, can use a porta-power or a come-a- long on the table to straighten a plow frame or similar, many a temporary fixture was welded to the table all without any warping or deflection.  Like  flavors of ice cream, it's all a personal choice, what YOU like and what YOU get used to.Just my  opinion, not from a book, just from the road.Howes Welding Inc.www.howesweldinginc.com
Reply:I wish I lived near tessdad, thats a good deal on the material.....I just built one for a friend (4'x8') and It cost me almost $300.00 just for material..
Reply:finally i am able to post some pics. the first is of me building my table, to the left is my son taylor watching movies while i am working. the second is the table fully assembled. 3/8 plate with 2x2x1/4 angle.jake Attached Images
Reply:Table looks good Jake, I am a little concerned about your welding attire though in photo #1.
Reply:I like this little guy, and that is a nice little table, I like the angle on the corner the the most, good for all kinds of fits....
Reply:gnewby,Table looks good, what size was that ?My table top will be 35" x 54" that will give a 3 inch over hang from the frame.My frame being a little thin will have to have the top thru-bolted to secure.So, OK, who has some 3/8" plate cheap...Thanks for all the info and ideas.LtrNnF
Reply:thanks mike.  the angle on the corner is mostly there for holding my grinder, but works well for other things too.  NnF the table 30"x60". as for the welding attire it gets hot and muggy in michigan during the summer.  lol.
Reply:Hey Nnf, I did some more searching, (big pile to look through), I found a piece of rusted 3/8"plate  it's 48"x58" (stored outside), cut to your size - $125.00 and a piece of 3/8" plate in good shape (stored inside, some small rust spots) 33"x72" (it's a bit narrower than your request) cut to your length - $160.00.   Also, a new piece from a steel company would be close to $200.00. I have a track mounted torch, so you would have nice, clean, square edges to work with.   Let me know if you are interested. I'm about an hour and a half from you.Just my  opinion, not from a book, just from the road.Howes Welding Inc.www.howesweldinginc.com
Reply:Originally Posted by tessdadHey Nnf, I did some more searching, (big pile to look through), I found a piece of rusted 3/8"plate  it's 48"x58" (stored outside), cut to your size - $125.00
Reply:Come-on he has a spray bottle within reach... Steven Fowler, President & Chief EngineerFowler Engineering
Reply:Here is a great link:http://www.lincolnelectric.com/knowl...le.asp?print=ySteven Fowler, President & Chief EngineerFowler Engineering
Reply:1/8 Top Plate is too thin in my opinion.I like tessdad's offer for the 3/8" but still thinking on the 1/2"thinking on it.Later,NnF
Reply:Originally Posted by tessdadHey Nnf, I did some more searching, (big pile to look through), I found a piece of rusted 3/8"plate  it's 48"x58" (stored outside), cut to your size - $125.00
Reply:I just finished my 4x8 welding table, I went with a 4x8 1/2" thick top, it cost $424, and weighs around 650lbs, the 3/8" was around $315, but i figured 1/2" would stand up to any abuse i put on it.www.jmfabrications.comLincoln Precision TIG 375Lincoln Precision TIG 275Lincoln Power MIG 255Lincoln Power MIG 140CMiller Dynasty 350 (x2)TD Cutmaster 80Those are pretty good prices for 3/4".. Given the choice, that would be my route.  I've got a 4x8-5/8" thick table with 4x8x1/4" rec tube inset about 4 inches all the way around and it's warped badly after only 6 years of abuse.  As of about a month ago, we were getting 3/8" plate for 8.73 a foot and 1/2" for 12 and 3/4 is 15.80 a foot(All A36).   A guy from a local steel mill said that they had a table made of 1 1/2" plate that was milled down flat in their machine shop.  Must be nice to have that kind of money laying around.Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.
Reply:I built this for free!  Scrap from work.  3/8 tread plate upside down for the top.  Works great. Attached ImagesDewayneDixieland WeldingMM350PLincoln 100Some torchesOther misc. tools
Reply:On the topic of tables, does anyone have any good ideas for a medium-sized portable table?  I'm considering the concept of building something that folds away.  I might use 1/4" plate with braces across the bottom for stiffness.  Ideally, the whole thing would fold away, have casters and weigh less than a couple hundred pounds.-Heath
Reply:I had a table once that was attached to a brick wall with heavy duty hinges. It folded down when not in use. To use it, I folded it up and put a leg under each outer corner. It wasn't a steel top table i.e. not for welding, but it was heavy. I did it when I had a garage that needed to be shared with a car. Scott
Reply:I've been away for a while but I am back again.I am still looking for the 1/2" Top for the 3' x 5' table.Thanks for all of teh replys.LtrNnF
Reply:Originally Posted by gnewbyTable looks good Jake, I am a little concerned about your welding attire though in photo #1.
Reply:I got a new welding table in progress, waiting on top 1" thick 6'x12'.  Reckon that'll do?DewayneDixieland WeldingMM350PLincoln 100Some torchesOther misc. tools
Reply:Don't forget the forklift to move it around
Reply:i have a peice of 3/16 with 3 peices of 3/4 angle welded to to the back to keep it stiff. its 23 x48 so far so good. i just throw it across a set of saw horses with i'm welding.