Table question

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I hope this is the correct spot for this. I am a rookie with minimum welding experience and have started to build a welding table. I have seen solid and slat type tops and both look good What are the advantages and disadvantages of both? I will be using 1/2 inch either way and will have a 3 inch overlap all around the table. If I use slats I was thinking of 1.25 to 1.50 spacing to allow for my largest "C" clamps.Ray
Reply:I have a solid top, but if I were to build another I would think hard about the spaced flat bar or channel. It opens up a whole world of clamping possibilities you don't have with the solid top and I don't see any real disadvantages other than rolling tools falling through the spaces. I would get out my biggest c-clamp and use that for my spacing. Just my thoughts.
Reply:We have both where I work, and I really like the slat tops, cannot beat the versatility of being able to clamp midway across the table. We used 3" X 1" C-channel, with spacing to fit the bar of our bar-clamps. The one thing I would warn about is span between support, we have a 3' X 4' table that sags on a couple of slats where it got "some" heat. Using more support under the slats gives more rigidity......  Next set will include that! My 2 cents.
Reply:I've used both over the years. The flat tops are great for general layout of most stuff.The slat tables are great for cutting.At one handrail shop I used to work at they had tables that had an open top with movable square tube cross bars for the "top". The tube rested on a piece of angle so the tops of the cross bars were flush with the top of the table, we also added a removable angle fence that ran the length of one of the long sidesA few things I liked about them;1) The open top let the spatter fall through the table causing less spatter to stick to the work piece. 2) When laying out oddball shapes the open top was handy if it helped to let stuff stick down below the table top.3) Clamping something in the middle of the table was super handy. But that's an easy fix with the flat top by welding dog clamps wherever you need them, then just cut them off after the project is finished.I've got one of each in my shop right now, but if I had to choose one it would be the flat top.It gets used way more than the open top.Brian LeonardAppalachian Ironworks L.L.C.434 Long Branch Rd, Marshall, NC 28753828 649 9966828 702 [email protected]
Reply:After thinking about this more, how about both? Say your table is 4' X 8', make it half solid and half flat bar. As long as the top and the flat bar are the same thickness, you have the best of both worlds. Clamp, cut, layout and weld.
Reply:Originally Posted by trapperjohnAfter thinking about this more, how about both? Say your table is 4' X 8', make it half solid and half flat bar. As long as the top and the flat bar are the same thickness, you have the best of both worlds. Clamp, cut, layout and weld.