Welding bench - plate on plate

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Hi all, new to the forum new to welding and have done a few searches to no avail.Doing things on the cheap, I wanted to make a small welding bench using materials I already have. Mainly concerned about the top. I have a decent piece of 3mm plate (1/8) that I was thinking of halving and placing one on top of the other to create a thicker top.I'm no pro and would only be using this bench for hobby projects, many not requiring precision. Anyone have any information on placing plate on plate to create a more durable top?Any other suggestions?
Reply:if the plates are not warped I would think doubling up would work. I'm not an expert either but I would drill holes in the bottom plate and spot weld it to the upper plate. That way, you would preserve a nice edge to the table top.I wouldn't think you'd need too many welds since there wouldn't be any forces that would be acting to separate the plates. Maybe welds in each corner a couple inches in from the edge and then maybe a weld every 12 inches in between along the same perimeter a few inches from the edge.Last edited by herbet99; 01-06-2013 at 09:35 PM.
Reply:That's what I was thinking, to keep a good edge and stop the top piece moving.Other option is to weld a series of channel and use as a top. Just seen it in another post.
Reply:You could place the plate on top of the other.  Use c-clamps or vise grips and tack weld the compressed edge.     Move the clamps up from those tacks and reclamp, followed by a short tack weld again.  Do this on opposite sides of the two plates to help with minimal distortion.  Constantly tacking on opposite sides  of the pieces.   Think of retightening lug nuts on a car's rim.   You tighten opposite lug nuts of each other for a tight flat fit against the hub.Do not over weld the edges, because you will dramatically see warpage on the steel if you do.  Make a few tacks, then let it cool for 5 minutes.   Make a few more tacks, then cool again.  (Don't quench it in water).   Just let it air cool.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:Another option might be to use counter sunk bolts to join them together. That way you don't have to worry at all about distortion and warping, and if it ever gets damaged (or get a thicker piece in the future) you could unbolt it and either flip it or drill the holes on the  new sheet and than bolt that on.Just my $.02
Reply:With steel that thin you will probably want to end up with a frame of some sort to support the top. That gives you the opportunity to take advantage of gravity. I have a table top that just sits in a frame made out of angle. Works great, even with no welds or fasteners at all. You could also drill a couple of holes in your plate(s) and weld some upturned pins on your table frame/legs that would prevent sliding,Easy on and off, with no tools.Makes moving the table or replacing the top a lot easier.If you decide you want a clean surface, it is easy to flip your top.Easy to "upgrade" if you luck into a piece of thicker steel.