Anyone have a SS or Alum Welding Table?

[cbrxx]

I would like to make a welding table, but I hate rust and I don't want some thing thats going to rust. Has anyone made a welding table out of stainless or aluminum? If so how is it working and what are the dimensions or thinkness of plate needed. Thanks.

[Tungsten]

If you just use a 1/2 plate of Mild steel I doubt its going to rust, I have never had a problem with that, Unless you are keeping it outside? An aluminum table is going to cost a lot of money, and if you ever get spatter or molten metal on it, it is going to start to pit pretty bad, What type of welding will you be doing?

[cbrxx]

Its for tig and stick welding projects, the table will be inside but I won't be using it every day maybe a couple times a month. I'm new to welding, so how do you figure a 1/2 plate of mild steel won't rust? I have little1/8" sheets that i practice on and they are starting to rust.

[shoprat]

welding table

i have 2 welding benches both made of steel and dont have a problem with rust even when not used regularly. it seems once you start to work on them they get a coating or something and i just hit mine with a grinder before i start a new project if its got spatter or stuff on it and you can tack stuff to it like jigs and things i would stick with a steel one ,but thats my opinion

[Jerry]

I have two smaller weld tables that are constructed with 2" sq. 1/8" tubing and then I placed a 1/2" plate on top. I like to leave the tubing frame be inside of top plate allowing for clamping. These tables are 36 x 30. ( Good for tig welding and machine weldments ) I've had these for a half year now.

I also have a 48" x 84" x 3/4" plate on a 3" x 1/4" sq. tubing frame. Actually this is my main work table for larger projects, I shot with transit to within .010

All these tables are steel, I did paint only the frames but the tops are bare steel. Steel usually rusts when outside and exposed to the elements. I have seen in high humidity rust somewhat start on steel, but for all practical purposes steel is the way to go.

( I'll take a picture and throw it at you.)

[Guest]

Here's some more ideas.....this is a weld table I use in making production aircraft parts. It is aluminum. Draw back is that steel doesn't move easily on alumunim table tops, and you can't tack anything to it, like jigs and stuff. This is just used for heliarc.

[Guest]

This picture I took for the weldment on it, but you can see the table I use for maintenance work. 6' x 10' x 2" thick. you will also note at the bottom you can just see the lable on it, that tells you what it is...very important around here...otherwise folks wouldn't know what that 5 ton table was for, would they. I also do heliarc on it, on one end, with a movable 1/2" aluminum plate.

[Jerry]

Well here's a pic of a table

[Guest]

This is the end of the previous table that I do heliarc on. I took this picture to show the chair with the TIG torch holder built in. You can see the aluminum plate that is movable. So, in summary, if you're doing stick, and mig, and heliarc, I find that the movable plate is the way to go. if I ever need the whole table, I just take it off. How simple is that? This can also apply to the home shop, too. As to the top rusting...sure it will, especially when you are near the ocean like I am. A quick sanding gets rid if the rust, if it ever gets that bad.

[Guest]

Dummy...you forgot the picture....here it is.

[Jerry]

and another

[Jerry]

Nice holder on the chair rocky, where's the TV remote control

Look out I have a camera now

[cbrxx]

Rocky I think you forgot to post links to your pictures, I would like to see them.
I will probably make it out of mild steel and paint the legs and supports. One other problem i am having is where to find metal. I have been purchaseing my aluminum from onlinemetals.com, because I can have it delivered to my door cheaper then picking it up at local places. Does anyone happen to know any metal suppliers in centeral NJ?

[cope]

Jerry

Originally posted by Jerry
and another

What model is your PowCon?

[Jerry]

I have two Pow Con units.

One for tig and stick model 300 ST with bernard water cooler.

The 2nd Pow Con is for mig short , stick and mig spray this is a 300 SM.

Very powerful little units.