Welding table top?

[Big Barn]

Prices prolly vary region to region, also. Earlier this summer I was paying $1 a pound.

Terry

 

[Ed of all trades]

I was quoted $225 for 3/8" and $295 for 1/2" in 4x8', sound reasonable to you guys?

For that price I WOULD HAVE 1/2 IN!!!! It is worth it. Ed

 

[bdog]

For that price I WOULD HAVE 1/2 IN!!!! It is worth it. Ed

I agree. $70 over the lifespan of that table is nothing. My table is 4x10 and 1/2" thick. I am totally happy with it. Never felt I needed thicker but am not sure I would have been happy with thinner. I am pretty rough on it at times.

 

[STx]

I have a 5 x 10 welding table framed in 11ga 2" sq tube. I used a 5 x 10 piece of 1/8" tread plate (smooth side up) for my table top and it's been plenty for me. I hammer on it with a 3# sledge all the time without any problems. The tread plate was never perfectly flat but it's flat enough for me.

 

[bdog]

I have a 5 x 10 welding table framed in 11ga 2" sq tube. I used a 5 x 10 piece of 1/8" tread plate (smooth side up) for my table top and it's been plenty for me. I hammer on it with a 3# sledge all the time without any problems. The tread plate was never perfectly flat but it's flat enough for me.

I guess it all depends on your intended uses. I tack weld stuff to my table top to keep it square, set heavy things on there using my skid steer, etc. and need the thickness. I use my table almost daily and I can't see myself ever wearing it out or damaging it. The weight of the thicker plate is a great benefit as well because my table is rock solid. I have a heavy duty vise mounted on the edge and I can put things in there and beat the snot out of them or use big pipe wrenches with cheaters and the table does not move.

Years ago I worked in a shop that had a table top made out of 1/8" material and it was bowed down around all the cross members and looked like the side of a car that had been through a demolition derby. Then again if you are just doing light duty stuff on a hobby type basis and are not setting anything on it that you can't lift up there by hand then thinner might be ok.

When I built my table it took me a couple days. My time and the work involved is far to valuable to have to do it again over saving $1-200 on materials. I think when I built mine I paid nearly $400 for the top plate but that was when steel prices were much higher. If you can get a thicker top for $270 don't skimp.

 

[STx]

I use mine every day also. I have jigs welded to it to keep my hog traps square as I build them but don't tack my work to it. It's been 3 years now and it's holding up well. I cross-braced the top at 24" on center though, so it's got a lot of support underneath it.

 

[newbury]

With the dropping steel prices go as thick as your muscles and wallet can afford. At 4x8 I expect your muscles may be the limiting factor.

Don't dismiss the logistics of moving it around. Half inch at that size is about 653 pounds.

When I went for a table top last year I got a 4x2 piece 5/8 thick and that's fairly heavy for me, about 200 lbs.

As far as prices that hunk cost me $0.65/lb last year, now it's down to $0.45/lb. So far I've just set it on an upright 55 gallon drum and use it as a worksurface.

 

[sandso2011]

Hi,I've got a 5x10' table and have used the same 3/8ths top for ten years now.I used 2" tubing with 2x3" square stock for support,1' from the edge and one across the center.It's worked out great.
I welded a 2x10" box under it far enough in for all my ground clamps.Out of the way but easy to get to.I was afraid to put my welders under it,dust,moisture,mice and mud dobbers,etc.I'll blow a plasma cutter hole through it every now and then.I've never noticed it flex or bow.I've set a Miller Dynasty 350 and a big block chevy on it at the same time.

 

[bigtiller]

You're too far away for this deal, but this is what my top was made of. I really like it.

1/2" steel plate

 

[ovrszd]

You're too far away for this deal, but this is what my top was made of. I really like it.

1/2" steel plate

Thanks for the tip. Gotta go to Des Moines tomorrow. Might be getting me a welding table top. Thanks Tiller!!!