Welding table

[whatter]

I recently built a 24 by 36 welding table for my Tig and Mig projects. The Metal Supplier wanted over a hundred bucks for a piece of new 3/8 plate 24 by 36 inches. The sold me a piece of scrap the same size for about $30. I have tried to clean it off with a grinder and a wire brush. I have also tried Naval Jelly twice. The plate is now reasonably clean ie bare metel here and there and a thin coat of dark brown rust. You can run your hand over it and no rust comes off.

When I weld on it I get a little arcing here and there. Also some of my Mig welds seem to be more contaminated then they were at school. I haven't tried any Tig on the table yet. My question is how clean does it have to be? Anyone know of a good way to clean it further?

Thanks
W. Hatter

[mlicoasty]

One thing you might try to clean your table are sanding wheels for your grinder. I find that they really create a nice smooth bare metal finish. I use them all the time and I love them. They will take all the rust right off. Try and keep chemicals off of your table because they might get in and contaminate your welds, but I think surface prep on your weld joint is the most vital for getting the contamination out of the welds. Make sure thats really clean.

[hankj]

whatter,

I've had good luck with 36-grit sanding disks on my 5" air sander. Flap-disks work well also on a drill motor. I'm sure you can also get appropriate disks for a 4-1/2 angle grinder.

My table is exactly like yours - 3/8 scrap. I cleaned it up with with the air sander and 36-grit. Another possibility is take the piece to a machine shop and have them mill .001 off it, but I have no clue what that may cost.

Be well.

hankj

[HAWK]

whatter,

I must agree with mlicoasty that weld prep is the key to a clean sound weld. I have 3 welding tables: 2 are 1/8"x24"x24" mild steel tops with 1"x1"x.125" square tube legs and frame. The other is a 19"x31"x 3/4" T1 top on casters. For MIG or stick I am not too particular about the table prep, but sometimes use a clean backing plate of sheet copper of carbon. For TIG I always use a 12"x1"x1/2" carbon plate on top of my weld table and my work goes on top of the carbon block.

[timw]

If you could find somewhere local to get it sandblasted that would get it clean. I would hate to guess about the cost though, it could go either way. I would ask around.

[tackit]

Seven or nine inch sidegrinder with a knotted wire brush, wear safety glasses and face shield.

[whatter]

Welding Table

I guess I'll try and purchase a sanding wheel for my 4 inch grinder. The bottom line is that I will probably use up the money I saved in hard labor. But that is the way it seems to go.

By the way I made the table from 1 1/4 inch angle and 2 inch flat stock. I made it 28 1/2 inches tall and put it on casters. That way I can sit down when I Tig. I am lazy!

Once again thanks for all the good advice. I need all the help I can get and there seems to be alot of experienced people helping out with this board.

W. Hatter

[HAWK]

whatter,

I sit to TIG whenever possible. That is not being lazy. That is the first rule of welding: BE COMFORTABLE!!!

[Paul Seaman]

HAWK:
BE COMFORTABLE! now you sound just like my teacher his first rule is comfort in welding position. We all work better, longer, faster, and fatigue less, when we work in a comfortable position. I am not ashamed to say comfort rules.