Welding table solid or grate?

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Guys - I did a search on table designs, and boy is there a lot of information here. I'm trying to incorporate all of the great designs I've seen here into something that will work for me.Some designs had a solid top, some had a grate, and some had both. Are the grate tops mostly for plasma cutting or would you recommend them for mig welding as well?  thanks!MM 175 w/ spoolgun
Reply:Not if you got alot of little pieces to put together. They'll always fall through the grate at the point the farthest from easy reach.
Reply:I just finished building my table and used a 3'x6' piece of 1/2" steel.     I considered using open grating, but felt that a solid top gave a better opportunity to stay flat.     (I drilled a  5 x 11 hole pattern of 5/8" holes, 6" on centers, through the top to help facilitate clamping.)     After using the table this past weekend, I can see why some folks opt for the open grate design.    All the tiny bits of spatter got in the way and I was constantly sweeping off the top.There are no small projects
Reply:Generally, solid tops are for layout, clamping, and jigging up stuff...where, the grates are for all types of cutting (plasma, OA, cutoff).  If you have lots of space, you might want separate cutting and welding tables.  If you are a little more confined, a combination of the two might be perfect...if you are really cramped, you will probably end up wanting the solid top table and just cut whereever and however you can.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:Another option not seen mentioned here is a table with large cut outs in strategic places.   The idea being to provide for clamping and more access around the joint in question.    That being said the vast majority of tables I've seen are simply flat pieces of steel.Obviously the problem with a table with cut outs is that they have to be large enough to accomodate two or more large clamps.   If you are working with 4" or larrger stock this creates some pretty large holes.   None of the holes where you are likely to need them.Like I said I see more plain flat tables then anything else.  There may very well be holes for vises on the corners, with the vise often laying under the table.   I've also seen L shaped tables.   An L shaped table can make some sense if it jells well with the fabrications you make.Dave
Reply:I use a solid top, cutting material is done in another area.John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:As Smithboy said, a solid top is useful for setting out.My top consists of two approx 3'x3' pieces with a 6" space between them. I find it really useful for clamping. When I need to set out something large, I have a 3'x6" strip that I lay in the gap to give me a 6'6"x3' top.(Note, guys, how I kindly converted my metric measurements to imperial.)
Reply:That is all verry nice but we are familiar with the metric system on this side of the planet.   Of course I work presently in the optics industry which has always been metric so maybe that is why I don't care one way or the other.Your bench idea is a good one and is something I haven't seen.Dave Originally Posted by scott brunsdon(Note, guys, how I kindly converted my metric measurements to imperial.)
Reply:Most of my tables are skeletons of angle iron.  Lots of places for clamping.  As a certain project needs a clamp in a certain place, you just weld another angle into the middle of the table.  Rarely do you need to remove one.  Here's a fairly lightweight one we built last week specifically to do some large fence panels. Attached Images
Reply:I don't have an awful lot of room in my shop which is in the first floor of my barn. I had a steel office typing desk with a steel top and three drawers and a pull-out on the right side. I had a local scrap yeard cut a sheel of 3/8" steel to 3' X 5' and laid it on top. It stays put and makes a great welding table and I have drawers on the side for welding supplies and torches. The open-grate welding tables that I've seen are used mainly for cutting and heavy duty welding as mentioned above.
Reply:Space is a consideration for me so I have a 3' square table w/ a 1'x3' grate extension on one side for cutting. Works good for me!! Anything too large for the table gets laid out on the concrete floor.                              MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:This is my table ,I also have a table similer to Mac702
Reply:I have been using an old commercial drain grate ( I think that's what it is ) for the last year. It's 32 x 32 and is great for laying out small projects and doing some creative clamping but it stinks as a work table. All my small hardware finds the floor at the most inconvenient times. My next workshop project is to build a 48 x 32 ( I don't have a lot of room or I would go bigger ) table using 3 x 3/16 tubing, 3" 4# channel and a 3/8 top. Since the grate is "portable", I'll just keep it around for when I need some crazy clamping scheme but IMO a solid heavy table will serve me much better. I do all my manual plasma cutting outside on saw horses because of the dust. If you intend to use a grate because you want to cut and weld, I recommend that you build a "collection" box if you are cutting inside.Here's a pic that shows a little of the grate ....
Reply:Along a similar line as RC-racer, I too have a grate that like his that I have attached to this 'work bench arrangement' I drag around outside. Perfect for crud, mud, oily, dirty stuff and just plain general purpose use but I wouldn't want it to be my one and only. Some things that are perfect as an alternative aren't so good as the first choice.
Reply:Here's my cluttered table 3/8" x 4' x 6'  with 3" tubing frameDewayneDixieland WeldingMM350PLincoln 100Some torchesOther misc. tools
Reply:Originally Posted by RC-RacerIf you intend to use a grate because you want to cut and weld, I recommend that you build a "collection" box if you are cutting inside.
Reply:Originally Posted by Arc_ItRC-Racer - I was curious what kind of a design you were thinking of for the "collection box?".  Are you talking about something underneath the table to catch all the debris?
Reply:Nice idea.  I assume you have that vented directly outside ?
Reply:Originally Posted by Arc_ItNice idea.  I assume you have that vented directly outside ?
Reply:The first pic. is what I started with for a welding table.Paid $15.00 for all.The second pic. is what I ended up with.$$$$      Priceless Attached ImagesDoing what I like
Reply:Looks good Popwri, I think we need a close up. John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:You can't beat that price! (Unless you got it for free) Nice looking bench.  What did you use to remove the rust? - Flap disk/sand blaster?
Reply:Originally Posted by PopwriThe first pic. is what I started with for a welding table.Paid $15.00 for all.The second pic. is what I ended up with.$$$$      Priceless
Reply:Originally Posted by mribeiroSome designs had a solid top, some had a grate, and some had both. Are the grate tops mostly for plasma cutting or would you recommend them for mig welding as well?  thanks!