AR550 For Welding table. Opinions?

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Am discussing with seller a 4' x 8' table with either 5/16 or 3/8" AR550 plate as the surface.  He isn't sure of thickness and will get back to me.  What are advantages/disadvantages of this ballistic steel in a welding table application?  I'd likely cut it in half and perhaps use 2 layers as I don't have space for the full sheet.  How hard to cut with a torch?  Thanks for any input.Jerry30+ yrs Army Infantry & Field Artillery, 25 yrs agoMiller 350LX Tig Runner TA 210, spool gunLincoln 250/250 IdealArcESAB PCM 500i PlasmaKazoo 30"  vert BSKazoo 9x16 horiz BSClausing 12x24 lathe20T Air Press
Reply:You won't notice any difference in cutting it, than A-36. But why spend the extra money for AR plate for a welding table? Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:CEP, I'm not up to date on plate steel prices but the table for $450 seemed reasonable.  How much is a sheet of 5/16 or 3/8" going for?Jerry30+ yrs Army Infantry & Field Artillery, 25 yrs agoMiller 350LX Tig Runner TA 210, spool gunLincoln 250/250 IdealArcESAB PCM 500i PlasmaKazoo 30"  vert BSKazoo 9x16 horiz BSClausing 12x24 lathe20T Air Press
Reply:I have no idea, I would have to call my steel supplier to find out. What I pay, may not be the same as what you would pay anyway. I got this one free.  Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Steve,I agree.  Hope he comes back with 3/8" as an answer.  I don't know how the plate is mounted at present so don't know if he can see the edges to measure.  Outside calipers may be needed.Jerry30+ yrs Army Infantry & Field Artillery, 25 yrs agoMiller 350LX Tig Runner TA 210, spool gunLincoln 250/250 IdealArcESAB PCM 500i PlasmaKazoo 30"  vert BSKazoo 9x16 horiz BSClausing 12x24 lathe20T Air Press
Reply:CEP,Well FREE is certainly not what I would pay.  I don't have a local supplier but will check around.Jerry30+ yrs Army Infantry & Field Artillery, 25 yrs agoMiller 350LX Tig Runner TA 210, spool gunLincoln 250/250 IdealArcESAB PCM 500i PlasmaKazoo 30"  vert BSKazoo 9x16 horiz BSClausing 12x24 lathe20T Air Press
Reply:That's the plan.  Thanks.30+ yrs Army Infantry & Field Artillery, 25 yrs agoMiller 350LX Tig Runner TA 210, spool gunLincoln 250/250 IdealArcESAB PCM 500i PlasmaKazoo 30"  vert BSKazoo 9x16 horiz BSClausing 12x24 lathe20T Air Press
Reply:I was just quoted 331.62 for a 4x8' piece of 3/8 a-36. the plate was apparently descaled and leveled. 1/2 regular a-36 was 382. Just to give you an idea of prices... I live in South Carolina.- Christian M.C3 Welding & Fabrication - CNC Plasma Cutting-Mobile Welding-Custom welding and fabwww.c3welding.com
Reply:Christian,Thanks, exactly the type info I was seeking (beyond suitability of AR550)Jerry30+ yrs Army Infantry & Field Artillery, 25 yrs agoMiller 350LX Tig Runner TA 210, spool gunLincoln 250/250 IdealArcESAB PCM 500i PlasmaKazoo 30"  vert BSKazoo 9x16 horiz BSClausing 12x24 lathe20T Air Press
Reply:Grade 709 50 .50 cents lb. 490 lbs 245 dollars. Dont spend money on high yield plate , old plate .35 lb.
Reply:No problem. I'm inn the same boat as you! A table build should be popping up soon- Christian M.C3 Welding & Fabrication - CNC Plasma Cutting-Mobile Welding-Custom welding and fabwww.c3welding.com
Reply:Thanks Pavinsteel man30+ yrs Army Infantry & Field Artillery, 25 yrs agoMiller 350LX Tig Runner TA 210, spool gunLincoln 250/250 IdealArcESAB PCM 500i PlasmaKazoo 30"  vert BSKazoo 9x16 horiz BSClausing 12x24 lathe20T Air Press
Reply:Unless you planned on flipping the table on its side and using it for cover from gunfire I was looking at a 3/4" sheet a36 for about $800-900.Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Reply:How does he or she know it's ar550? Does it have a mill stencil or stamp on it, might could use that for battering info. Price seems fair for a table. Like already mentioned unless you shoot it or peck it to death with a center punch you won't notice the difference in grades, torch for the most part won't either.Ranger 250 thick stuffHobart Handler 140 not thick stuffthe pane and oxy setup
Reply:Was left from a secure enclosure job his company did about 10 years ago.  I opted out as it is less than 3/8", about 11/32.  Thanks for the help guys.Jerry30+ yrs Army Infantry & Field Artillery, 25 yrs agoMiller 350LX Tig Runner TA 210, spool gunLincoln 250/250 IdealArcESAB PCM 500i PlasmaKazoo 30"  vert BSKazoo 9x16 horiz BSClausing 12x24 lathe20T Air Press
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749Yeah, a table's a table.I would look for something 3/8" or thicker.IMHO of course
Reply:Originally Posted by lars66No a table isn't a table.
Reply:Our problem we keep cutting em up for stock  building one now 7x80 ft 4 w14x730 and 2 -1-1/8 plates as a jig
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcSure it is.  You just spent more money on one that's so dang thick, it's probably difficult  to move it around easily in the shop or to clean the surface, due to it being like a giant magnet.    With all that, now you need MORE metal (aluminum) on top of it  just to weld anything???   That's called an expen$ive "PITA table."  "Practical?  Convenient?   No thanks.
Reply:To be more specific about the clamping, # 16 Armstrongs.
Reply:Originally Posted by lars66Plate was left over from ongoing job but to small. Might have missed the part about heavy clamping. Table moves just fine with forklift, real handy to have where working.