Has anybody here ever used treadplate with the rough side down for a the top of a welding table?

Reason I ask is my steel supplier wants about $55 for a 2x3 piece of 3/8 plate. He wants $23 for the same size piece cut out of a drop from 3/8 tread plate.

The only area I can think of that it would make a difference would be clamping stuff to the edge. It seems like it might be difficult trying to put a c-clamp exactly where I want it on that tread pattern. Anything else I'm not considering?

Iv'e been welding shit on the floor or clamped to scrap pieces of plate clamped to my workbench for a while so I want this thing to be as close to perfect as i can get it, even if it means spending another 30 bucks or so...or maybe I'm just being anal. Please tell me if that's the case.

i dont see a problem with it. if clamping is an issue, weld a 1" strip of metal to the underside of the tread plate for clamping to.

1/2 of my little welding table/cart I made is expanded metal. its nice to let the grinder dust and weld splatter fall out of the way sometimes.

i dont see a problem with it. if clamping is an issue, weld a 1" strip of metal to the underside of the tread plate for clamping to.

1/2 of my little welding table/cart I made is expanded metal. its nice to let the grinder dust and weld splatter fall out of the way sometimes.

nice idea. Would also work well for the plasma

a few minutes with a big side grinder will take care of the tread nibs for about 2" in from each edge. What's better, 30 bucks, or a wheel and some time?

i dont see a problem with it. if clamping is an issue, weld a 1" strip of metal to the underside of the tread plate for clamping to.

1/2 of my little welding table/cart I made is expanded metal. its nice to let the grinder dust and weld splatter fall out of the way sometimes.

I kind of did the same thing with my table. Got some floor grate from work, it's 1.5 inches thick, absolutly beef stuff. The top on my table alone comes in at 200 lbs! Fairly flat also. Love the table, wouldn't trade it for anything.

nice idea. Would also work well for the plasma

it would work if I could afford one!

here is my little cart. has casters on it now

http://www.pavementsucks.com/forums/attachments/200602/attachment-966625.jpg

traxman, love that table. Now Im gonna have to build one for the shop.

well allright then...I had thought about grinding the little nibs off around the edge...I guess I'll plan on doing that

Traxman...I used to have a 55 gal drum with a piece of that stuff over it for oxy/acc cutting...It finally burned all the way thru in a few spots and I had to toss it. Iv'e got a buddy that has a table kinda like yours...I wasn't to crazy about it until one day I saw him go to weld something that he wanted to be welded dead on (some kind of subframe for a race car). He used bolt/nut/washer combos and 5 or 6 pieces of maybe 5x1 1/2 in. flat bar with holes in the ends to hold all the parts down tight to the table. I thought it was cool, but now my strange fetish for clamping is starting to come out so I'll shut up.

Thanks for the replys

My welding table is a full 4x8 sheet of 3/8 treadplate. I dont think Ive ever had a thought about the diamond tread on the bottom side when clamping stuff down. Use it and forget about it.

Is there a thread posting pictures of welding tables around here? I'm going to be building one soon. I have a basic idea of what I'm going to do but it's always good to see what everyone else has done.

Also, any known affordable place to buy castors?

Also, any known affordable place to buy castors?

I have had good luck with prices and selection at my local Orchard Supply Hardware

i also used tread plate upside down with no issues

I have had good luck with prices and selection at my local Orchard Supply Hardware

Dang, never even heard of them.

Anything worth while from HF?

Is there a thread posting pictures of welding tables around here? I'm going to be building one soon. I have a basic idea of what I'm going to do but it's always good to see what everyone else has done.

Also, any known affordable place to buy castors?

Here are a few I have saved:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=331207&highlight=welding+table

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=400962&highlight=welding+table

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=381088&highlight=welding+table

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=326509&highlight=welding+table

As for casters I havn't bought any yet, I want to be able to move it but I want it to be solid under use to, especially since mine is goin to be kinda on the small and light weight side. Iv'e been trying to figure out a way to make them fold up when I'm not using them.

Thanks for the links! I need to get my red-star back one of these days, makes searching a little cumbersome.

Dang, never even heard of them.

Anything worth while from HF?

have not looked at the HF casters. OSH might be called Sears Hardware up there (not the Sears store, but affiliated)

Home Depot has a tiny selection of casters. For a small table, they have some that will work. I welded 2 nuts to my table legs and jsut threaded in the casters. that way i can adjust them if i cant find a level spot on the floor.

on the table I built, I ran a pipe between the legs at one end that two bearings fit on, and have two legs on the other side. Just pick the one end up and roll it on the bearings.

Make it so the wheels are about an 1/8" from contact with the ground on one end and wheelbarrow it to where you want it. This way you only need 2 castors and the table is steady once in place.

Anything worth while from HF?

I bought the HF 5" swivels on sale for 3.99 each. They are rated at 330# each. Thus far no problems, so I would recommend them.