deleted

[Jethro]

That base looks identical to the base I built for my table. I uased 1/4" for the top and have never regretted it. I'm sure heavier would be great, but I have never felt like mine flexed. I mounted a vise on one end and set a 110 lb anvil on the other (non-secured). I would consider welding an extension on one end made of angle or flat iron laid on it's side to support work that is being cut with a torch.

 

[Soundguy]

Perhaps add some angle iron supports across the span to make the 3/8 flex less and take hammer blows better.

In any case.. it's way better than the old picnic table I'm using as a welding table... at least it was free...


soundguy

 

[schmism]

i would suggest a grate top... like 1x1/8" flat bar welded into a 2x3 grid or simular (or find some of that grateing they use on walkways).

if you want a solid top you can always put a 1/4" piece of plate ontop of that grate top.

 

[MadReferee]

i would suggest a grate top... like 1x1/8" flat bar welded into a 2x3 grid or simular (or find some of that grateing they use on walkways).

if you want a solid top you can always put a 1/4" piece of plate on top of that grate top.

Not only would this be expensive, it would also be a pain to weld up. I also believe it would be weaker than a flat piece of plate. A welding table should be strong enough to hold whatever you plan on welding while staying perfectly straight and flat. No bows or other deflections. Welding a lot of thin pieces to make a grate will never be straight and flat. Most grate like table tops I have seen are cast, finished ground flat and at least 1" thick.

 

[schmism]

Not only would this be expensive, it would also be a pain to weld up. I also believe it would be weaker than a flat piece of plate. A welding table should be strong enough to hold whatever you plan on welding while staying perfectly straight and flat. No bows or other deflections. Welding a lot of thin pieces to make a grate will never be straight and flat. Most grate like table tops I have seen are cast, finished ground flat and at least 1" thick.

perhaps... which is why i suggest the metal grateing that could be found cheeply at a scrap yard.

McNICHOLS Products - Bar Grating - All Types

 

[HomeBrew2]

..... it's way better than the old picnic table I'm using as a welding table... at least it was free... soundguy

You're way ahead of me! I'm still using the floor ... upgrading to concrete some years ago felt like I was living like a king

 

[MadReferee]

perhaps... which is why i suggest the metal grateing that could be found cheeply at a scrap yard.

McNICHOLS Products - Bar Grating - All Types

They make great plasma cutting tables but for a welding table they lack a few very important features. First, where do you clamp to? Second, are they straight and flat? Third, you can't easily tack something to the table like a jig or mount something like a vise without adding a flat piece of plate.

From my perspective, I'll take a flat piece of plate any day over a grate. Of course, your mileage, budget and usage may vary.

 

[schmism]

They make great plasma cutting tables but for a welding table they lack a few very important features. First, where do you clamp to? Second, are they straight and flat? Third, you can't easily tack something to the table like a jig or mount something like a vise without adding a flat piece of plate.

Clamp right to the table as you would with the plate.

Its been my experience they are better at being flat and straight because you dont have a million little weld splatter balls floating around on your plate acting like marbles and shimming pieces off the solid plate at radom spots and heights.

as for tacking jigs to the table correct. not as easy but still doable.

to bolt a jig plate or vise simply drop a bolt straight though and add a small piece of scrap on the back side. allows you to easyly move the vise and bolted jigs easly as opposed to drilling a million holes in your flat plate.

but like you said... to each there own.

 

[flusher]

Not only would this be expensive, it would also be a pain to weld up. I also believe it would be weaker than a flat piece of plate. A welding table should be strong enough to hold whatever you plan on welding while staying perfectly straight and flat. No bows or other deflections. Welding a lot of thin pieces to make a grate will never be straight and flat. Most grate like table tops I have seen are cast, finished ground flat and at least 1" thick.

Easiest way to make a grate is to use steel angle welded to a frame. Either weld the sides of the angle to the frame (an "L" configuration) or flip the angle upside down and weld in an inverted "V" arrangement.

 

[bigdad]

1/4 inch isn't heavy enough. If you can dent it with a machinist hammer.......it's aint thick enough. I used 8" channel. Stout but light too. Looks like you have a great foundation for whatever you use on the top. Good luck and good for you sir!