12mm plate for welding/fab table

[rockcrawler31]

Posted on Ozfab as well,

What sort of costs are involved in a 6 foot x 4 foot sheet of mild for the top of a welding table/Jig frame, with accurately grid drilled holes for M8 threads to be tapped into it.

I'm thinking 12mm, 15mm or 20mm. Your choice for thickness, but please explain why.

Will be trussing diffs, building motorcycle buggy frames and components, and general fab work. So it doesn't need to be super-dooper-fly-to-the-moon accurately flat, just enough to hold most automotive sized equipment true when i work on it.

Where would you purchase such a creature from? General steel suppliers like onesteel or would it be a specialty supplier?

And for my smart arse brother in law, i can't just let my fingers do the walking, i'm stuck in bumf*ck idaho and my phone usage is limited. I'm also after ideas for my fab table

At this stage i'm thinking 100x100 heavy wall frame with the aforementioned plate on top. shallow drawers on one side and deeper drawers on the other. Drawers to be accessible from either side of the table with roller runners for ease. Shallow drawers to have removable compartments for small components and odds and sods.

To sit on the ground normally but to move it, it will have a wind up dolly wheel at each corner, (got that idea off one of the guys on ozfab forum). Holders for mig gun, earth clamp, and 2" RHS receivers for side panels or other equipment. (another great idea from the same guy)

Any other stuff to incorporate into it?

MILO

[zookisteve]

12mm would be plenty strong enough IMO.
but in saying that,if your going to cut on it with a plasma or an oxy you'll gouge any gauge material to some degree unless you lift it off the bench a bit.
Its going to be prety expensive so hold on lol.
If you know someone that works at one steel or blue scope id be getting them to get it for you as im pretty sure they only sell in bulk.Thats if they even do 12mm or more

[BlueSuzy]

Buttsworth , South windsor
Metal and more, South windsor
Metalland, Penriff. ( i dont like them as they dont cut to lengths anymore)


Mark out a grid, and drill away!

12mm should be fine with a solid base.

[rockcrawler31]

Buttsworth , South windsor
Metal and more, South windsor
Metalland, Penriff. ( i dont like them as they dont cut to lengths anymore)


Mark out a grid, and drill away!

12mm should be fine with a solid base.

Wicked guys thanks

[rowenb]

One of the mobs at a site i was working at made some benches out of 16mm top plate and used H beams to construct the legs and bracing. Also made a good ping pong table at 2400 x 1200.

[KiwiBacon]

100x100 legs are for looks only, there's no reason they need to be that big.

[rockcrawler31]

100x100 legs are for looks only, there's no reason they need to be that big.

Thanks mate, i'm happy to go smaller as it will save costs

[Andrewh66]

well when i win tats i would like something like http://www.bluco.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



or 25mm plate with tee slots in it


but be sure of one thing it will cost a good bit of cash

[Gutless]

I've just ordered my 1200x1800 16mm table top Getting it laser cut. Same with all the holes. I will have to reem all the holes though as cutting 12mm holes in 16mm plate aint easy.

Another way to do the holes is with a mag base drill and some sluggers. You'll be there all day though

Another thing to consider is how you are going to move it should you need to. I am going to weld in some rails between all 4 legs about 120mm off the ground. That way I can get a fork lift or pallet jack under them to pick the table up.

Pete

[bru21]

I bought 20mm 1600x1500

cost 1k

I had to send it back and re-order it as it was 6-8mm out of flat - god knows how 20mm plate gets that bad.

It weighs 375kg alone

I am going to weld it to 100 x 50 x 6 rhs and blanchard grind or mill it.
Its not really that flat - better than say mdf but not ideal.

I got a quote to cnc drill it - $1200 + thredding.
I would just mark and drill with a mag drill, then get a threading head and thread it.
Unless you have a laser cutter to make jigs you don't really need 100% precision.

Waiting till my shed its done and I'll post mine up.

[KiwiBacon]

I'll be knocking this up in the next few weeks if all goes to plan.
It's pretty light, only has a 6mm skin which is bolted on to minimise warping and make it easier to replace later on, legs are 50x50x3 SHS with adjustable feet. I figure the top is going to get messed up at some stage and need replaced, that's why it's only 6mm and bolted on.