What type of steel for welding table top?

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I have a heavy duty 3'X5' wooden work bench that I want to turn into a welding table. What type of steel should I use for the top and how thick? thanks
Reply:The plate I have near my workbench vise is just generic steel 1\2" thick.  Good thickness for banging small shapes into submission.I don't think there's a wrong type or thickness unless you decide to go too thin.  Size it for your intended usage.WeldingWeb forum--now more sophomoric banter than anything else!
Reply:You'd be better off building a frame from steel also.  As far as your top go as thick as you can stand.DewayneDixieland WeldingMM350PLincoln 100Some torchesOther misc. tools
Reply:Just plain ol' hot rolled steel should do the trick, although I'd like to have a top made from abrasion reisitant (AR) plate. For my purposes, 1/2" thick is the minimum.
Reply:If you wanted to convert your current table into a welding bench maybe just buy a 1/8 thick sheet to lay over top, then put some casters on the sides of the legs and a couple of handles you can extend so it will have more leverage to lift it up and then it can ride on the casters when you need to move it around. Or make up some metal saw horses and decide after if you want to make a top to lay on there to work on they are nice to have anyway.Nothing Ever Got Done By Quitting, Never Give Up.
Reply:this is a dumb question i suppose but do you have to have a metal table to weld on?
Reply:Well, I guess ya dont really have to, but it is easier and safer...being able to ground the machine to the table makes your ground lead less cumbersome, and saves time if you have to move the piece around a lot....  also a decently strong metal tabletop can be handy for when youre shaping etc.main downfall to wooden top tables is being flammable basically, and that welding damages the wood constantly...
Reply:being able to ground the machine to the table makes your ground lead less cumbersome, and saves time if you have to move the piece around a lot.... also a decently strong metal tabletop can be handy for when youre shaping etc.
Reply:I would say that a "Heavy Duty" Table is above 1 1/4" thick ¤If you got money, i've got time
Reply:Today, my friend talked me into a "three hour cruise" to look for old car parts.I liked this guys operation, among other things, his building had bark on the posts!Here's a picture I took of his bench top, 4" thick! :Attachment 11675Last edited by denrep; 02-12-2009 at 01:53 AM.
Reply:If you table top is less than 1/2" weld it to a frame of small I beam with plenty of cross members.
Reply:I have an old steel typing desk with three drawers on the right side. I got a plate of 3/8" steel about 3' X 5' from a scrap steel yard and just laid it on top. I ground to the plate and it works fine. I also have a big vise on the right side. It doesn't seem to move at all.Miller Millermatic 252Miller Syncrowave 200Liincoln AC-DC 225Victor O-A Set
Reply:we have a large 6x12 piece of hot rolled 1/2" mildafter many years AR would of been nicer, but its doing very well.  It has drawers underneath and is on heavy duty casters, but it hasnt been moved in years.We also have a 2" thick table, its good for welding backhoe buckets too so we can straighten them with a BFH.
Reply:All our tables at work are 1/2" plate but when I was an apprentice we had cast iron tables, the beauty of them is that you can clean them up with a chisel, the weldment just detaches and although it leaves a small crater it does not damage the table that much. These were about 30 years old back in the early 60's and after my 5 years there basically looked the same as when I started, the company is still going and I wouldn't be surprised if the tables are too.