Help needed with welding table decision...???

[brin]

I have a chance to buy a used 5' stainless steel table from a restaurant equipment auctioneer ...they just said 5' don't know the other measurement but it is $150 asking price...I just wonder...can I weld on stainless with my Mig/flux wire welder...? Can I weld to the table ...such as welding casters on the legs or a shelf below...? and if I can't do that and just left the table like it is ...can I weld on it..I think I read or heard about special steps to weld on stainless steel...I just don't want to do anything harmful to my health...Thanks.

 

[Shield Arc]

I've read where people have used 7018 to weld on stainless steel. I've never done it my self. Why not buy 5-pounds of stainless steel welding rod?

 

[brin]

I've read where people have used 7018 to weld on stainless steel. I've never done it my self. Why not buy 5-pounds of stainless steel welding rod?

Shield Arc....I have a Clarke 130 en...mig welder gas/ no gas and I am running flux core now,,,, I was just wondering if there are any saftey issues in welding on a stainless steel or galvanized steel table...I doubt it is galvanized but ...I don't know yet.,Thanks

 

[Shield Arc]

If it is galvanized try to weld it outside. If you can't weld it outside set up a fan to blow the smoke away from you. I just repaired a galvanized boat trailer for a friend, it was .095" wall rectangular tube. I used Lincolns NR-212 .045" self shielded flux core wire.

You can run stainless steel Mig, but you'll need a trimix gas.
Stainless Steel MIG Welding with Compact Welders

 

[brin]

If it is galvanized try to weld it outside. If you can't weld it outside set up a fan to blow the smoke away from you. I just repaired a galvanized boat trailer for a friend, it was .095" wall rectangular tube. I used Lincolns NR-212 .045" self shielded flux core wire.

You can run stainless steel Mig, but you'll need a trimix gas.
Stainless Steel MIG Welding with Compact Welders

OK - thanks but if I get the table and don't want to weld any modifications on it but just use it to weld on for projects...is there anything I need to worry about using flux core wire to just weld on projects not the table itself...although I might have to tack weld to the table temporarily.....????

 

[Shield Arc]

The sparks from self shielded flux core will take a toll on the stainless steel table. Only time I've seen stainless steel tables used for welding were in clean rooms, Tig welding was the only process used.
I don't know if regular self shielded flux core will hold very well on stainless steel. They sell gas less flux core wire for stainless steel, but I've never used it.

Buy 308LFCO-035-01 Welder's Choice Stainless Steel (Gasless) Mig Welding Wire from UseEnco

 

[IslandTractor]

I have a chance to buy a used 5' stainless steel table from a restaurant equipment auctioneer ...they just said 5' don't know the other measurement but it is $150 asking price...I just wonder...can I weld on stainless with my Mig/flux wire welder...? Can I weld to the table ...such as welding casters on the legs or a shelf below...? and if I can't do that and just left the table like it is ...can I weld on it..I think I read or heard about special steps to weld on stainless steel...I just don't want to do anything harmful to my health...Thanks.

These stainless tables are not a great surface for welding mostly because the top is so thin. You'd really rather weld on a mild steel surface and have thicker than the 16 or 18 gauge steel used in those kitchen prep tables. In a pinch you could use the table as a flat surface and just get a piece of 1/4 inch plate to put on top as a welding surface.

For about $150 though you can get a Strong Hand portable table delivered to your door. http://store.cyberweld.com/webehabe300.html These are really very decent portable folding tables that are good enough to do basic welding tasks and will always be useful as a portable even if you build a much heavier and bigger table. I've had one for several years, no complaints.

 

[brin]

These stainless tables are not a great surface for welding mostly because the top is so thin. You'd really rather weld on a mild steel surface and have thicker than the 16 or 18 gauge steel used in those kitchen prep tables. In a pinch you could use the table as a flat surface and just get a piece of 1/4 inch plate to put on top as a welding surface.

For about $150 though you can get a Strong Hand portable table delivered to your door. Strong Hand NOMAD Welding Table TS3020 These are really very decent portable folding tables that are good enough to do basic welding tasks and will always be useful as a portable even if you build a much heavier and bigger table. I've had one for several years, no complaints.

OK - Thanks Doc and Shield Arc....I will take a look at cyberweld table - I was hoping to be able to use this ...it is at least 5 ft. long and with stainless legs etc. it is a good heavy table...but I don't want to breath something bad etc....Thanks again guys...

 

[Arc weld]

Spatter sticks like it's welded on with stainless. The table would be stainless if it was used in a restaurant for preparing food.

 

[muddstopper]

I have a stainless table that came out of a Hardees. I think they rolled their biscuts on it. Splatter sticks like, well, likes its welded to it. I have planned for years to add a piece of flat plate to the top, otherwise it makes a pretty good table to work off of. Right height and plenty big enough.

 

[tym233me]

Buy the table then get a sheet of carbon steel and bolt or weld it to the table

 

[Gary Fowler]

OK - Thanks Doc and Shield Arc....I will take a look at cyberweld table - I was hoping to be able to use this ...it is at least 5 ft. long and with stainless legs etc. it is a good heavy table...but I don't want to breath something bad etc....Thanks again guys...

There is no health hazard to weld over or on a stainless steel table, just that the buckshot from carbon steel welding will stick to it and cause it to rust. If it is a good strong legged table, then you could buy it and put a 1/4" thick carbon steel top on for added durability. Buckshot doesn't stick as bad to CS.

OR if money is a bit tight, just put a piece of 1/2" plywood on top and fasten with screws like I did. I bought a heavy table (about 4'x6') made from 2" thick pressed wood with Formica skin on all sides from a store going out of business for $75. It is a very heavy table with caster wheels and steel legs. I didn't want to burn up the Formica so I put on a 4' x 6' sheet of 1/2"plywood on top and fastened with deck screws sunk below flush. I put on a second layer under one corner about 12"x12" and mounted my vise there. It has held up well in 4 years of use. I have burned the plywood under the vise a bit from using a cutting torch there but otherwise it is good. You do have to ground to whatever you are welding, but I have never had any issues with burning the wood from welding.
The best parts of it is the double shelves underneath for storage, I didn't have to work for 2 days building it, it is perfectly square and level and flat, has roller wheels, is heavy enough that I can pound on stuff on it if needed and it was less than $100 when complete and I could still top it with steel plate if I ever feel I need to

 

[LD1]

Like others have said, stainless isnt really good for a welding table. And not nearly thick enough if it came out of a restaurant. But for $150, if it looks like a good table, there are plenty of other uses for it, I am sure you can come up with something.

If it needs modified, you can weld it with what you have no problem. I do it all the time with my mig and standard wire, if I cannot find a piece of mild steel on my rack that would work, but have it in stainless. Just be aware that the weld wont be stainless

 

[AKwelder]

Keep in mind, stainless continues to draw every time it gets hot, if you do much work on it you will get it hot and it will no longer be a flat table, and it will be worse the thinner it is.
That said, a good table is one of the best things you can start with, add a steel cap later, or plywood, and keep improving it. A SS table sure beats no table

 

[mechanic]

You will be better off making your own table out the mild steel you buy out of the steel yard. I built mine out of square steel tubing with a 1/4 plate steel for the top. I can put an engine on it if I want to. I put casters so I can roll it around. I did buy a engine hoist so I can lift when I want to move. This is a very good table and I can add to if needed. Stainless steel is like aluminum it has to be super clean to weld on and takes the special gas mix to weld. My table I can grind on, stick weld on, mig, on , gas weld on, hammer on, anything I choose. I will post a picture if you want.