[Havin' Fun]

In building a (semi)portable welding bench. What grade steel top should I put on it? What thickness? Approx 48" x 24".

Suggestions are encouraged and appreciated.

TIA

[HarleyD67]

I've been thinking about building one for myself, and am planning to use 12g to keep it light enough to consider portable yet strong enough to pound on or tack work to.
Please share your design plans with us. I was planning something in the way of a 24"x36" folding TV tray design. that folded up out of the way with 1"x1" angle to frame the top and 1" sq tube for the leg structure.

[ccmblack]

I use a 24 x 36 12 ga piece that I lay on top of two saw horses...this way it stores away pretty easily and is plenty thick/sturdy enough. (and pretty cheap solution).

[buenymayor]

My 4'x8'x.75" is portable, but you'd better have a tractor and loader handy! For light stuff, these guys ideas should work. The saw horse idea is really good. Then you could store the top away easy enough. If the 12ga. isn't heavy enough for you, you could take some channel iron around the edges of it and maybe one across the middle for extra support and still be able to move it around without breaking your back.

[Pro-Street69Camaro468]

I have a 4'x10'x1/2" on a 2"x2" angle iron frame with 4" screw pipe legs that is portable it has 8" steel casters that screw up and down and I can move it from one side of the garage to the other.I also have a 2'x2'x1/2" table with 3" screw pipe with a vice on it and is bolted to the floor that will not move if you hook a truck to it.Back to the question I think 1/2" to 5/8" thick so it remains flat...JMO...

[Havin' Fun]

I already have the bench itself about ready. I need to order the actual top. Wasn't sure what grade steel is ideal for this application, and the supplier won't make "suggestions" on material, something about liability in case it wasn't right....

I have a lower shelf that is going to house the buzz box and ox/ac setup, as well as tools/shields/gloves/jackets etc. I didn't want the bench large enough to house the mig too, so that stands alone. The bench is on locking swivel casters right now, but having all 4 swivel casters makes for some interesting manuevering, so I am going to lock the rears straight so it will go up against the wall better when not it use.