Workbench covering plate?

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I'm finally getting around to building a fabrication table from nice pickled in oil descaled steel plate...  What do you guys use to keep the mig splatter from F'ing up the top?  I was thinking of using a piece of galvo tin over it, like maybe 16ga?  Either that or spray the crap out of it with spatter spray!!!!CR
Reply:I take any splatter off w/ a grinder disc laid flat on the table. That way it doesn't gouge.                                               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:Pam cooking spray. Also works great on MIG nozzles. Cheap and effective.
Reply:I'm trying to avoid putting the grinder to it!!!Thanks for the suggestions....CR
Reply:I use an anti splatter spray from the local welding shop, it seems to work really good when I remember to use it.  It's made to spray on your nozzle or workpiece.  It was around $9 for a tall can.There is no failure...only feedback
Reply:It's going to get ugly if you weld on it.  You can grind it clean again.(I use Pam on my nozzles, too.)Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:Originally Posted by ny_racer_xxxI'm trying to avoid putting the grinder to it!!!Thanks for the suggestions....CR
Reply:I use several 14"x14" steel plates 1/8" thick, resting atop the welding table.  When they get spatter on top, I take the grinder to it.  That way my table stays "fresh".... 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:It's going to get ugly if you weld on it. You can grind it clean again.
Reply:Originally Posted by mla2ofusI use the pam on the mig nozzle too. Not trying to be a smarta$$, but if you want it to remain pristine put it in a flower bed or in the rec room to play cards on. In my opinion a welding table is built to weld on, so you can't worry about cosmetic blemishes.                                      Mike
Reply:Originally Posted by ny_racer_xxx........ made the top pivot on two bearings and have a different top on each side????  I could have a slop side for mig, and a clean side for tig???
Reply:No, actually I thought of it while I was typing!!!CR
Reply:Originally Posted by scott brunsdonI bet your bench is pretty clean, Jack.
Reply:I'm going to call my steel yard tomorrow, I got one price from Yarde metals for the pickled in oil plate, about $300 or 1/4-48"x96".  If a plain ole a36 plate is a whole lot cheaper, I might just go with that.CR
Reply:My welding table is very ugly. It was powdercoated when I got it, and I used stripper to get that off but probably got 90% of it. I keep meaning to go in and get the rest off, but when it's folded up and out of the way, it's out of sight and out of mind.I used sulfuric acid to get the mill scale off of my steel-topped bench, but it's still not shiny by a long shot. I like things organized -- but it's a working garage; it's got slag burns everywhere.
Reply:Originally Posted by ny_racer_xxxI'm going to call my steel yard tomorrow, I got one price from Yarde metals for the pickled in oil plate, about $300 or 1/4-48"x96".  If a plain ole a36 plate is a whole lot cheaper, I might just go with that.CR
Reply:I was going to go with a 1/2 plate, but god is that heavy to move around the shop!!!!My bench will never see a BFH!!!!I priced out just plain ole 1/4" A36 hot rolled and it's about $150 for a 4'x8' vs $250 for the pickled in oil....  I might just use plain A36, glass blast it, and acid etch it.....Thanks for all the ideas guys...CR
Reply:A search relating to welding tables seems to reveal a trend.  Those who chose 1/4" later wished they went with 1/2". It's a recurring theme similar to those who purchased a 110volt wire feed welder and later yearned for a 220volt welder.To each his own.  Welding on a 1/4" table beats welding on the floor most days of the week (with few exceptions).
Reply:I don't know if it will help with any ideas or not, CR, but...My 36"x72" welding table is only 1/8" thick, although the edges are reinforced.  It's all I need, and the thin surface makes it light enough that I can fold it up and out of the way when it's not in use.  Down:Up:I have another bench for when I need to use a BFH.  It's 30"x60" and is an inch thick.  I got it fairly cheap because it was ugly, but a $12 bottle of sulfuric acid took the mill scale off.  It weighs 510 pounds, and sits on a 360-pound base.Moving it was not easy (since I was doing it alone):In place:Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:Jack, thanks...The frame will be 2x2x.120 wall square tube, 16" on centers, should be enough.  I'm planning on moving the shop again soon, and 1/2 plate is just way too cumbersome to move..BTW, I have a single stock wheel for that car!!!CR