What steel sheet would you pick for making a small welding table top?

[Fab5Freddy]

I was hoping to pick some up from somewhere or other for next to nothing (a mate, a scrap yard, etc), but the search isn't successful so far- so I might have to resort to buying from a proper steel stockist.

It would be somewhere in the region of 500mm x 800mm and I am guessing 3mm would be thick enough? (wouldn't be doing heavy work, mostly little jobs and repairs )

So, when they ask me what sort of flat steel this might be, what should I ask for ? (bearing in mind it will be outdoors for a lot of the time, and I am broke/and don't want to spend money if I can help it.)

Thanks

 

[Burnerman]

3mm BDMS steel sheet would be great, supported by an angle iron frame. A flat surface would give you good earthing for welding but you may be surprised at the price of it!
At the end of the day, something from Machine Mart May be almost as cheap as a home made jobby.
John

 

[Fab5Freddy]

Many thanks for info John, much appreciated

Even before seeing the prices, I know from making some stuff from wood/plywood from b&q and Wickes, works out more expensive than just buying a finished product from a shop.

But, I really want to make things that fit exactly into the small space I have and I'm finding quite some satisfaction making my own stuff. But I will have to balance it up when they quote me (I am looking at asking a specialist national steel stockist that sells to trade and public, and hoping that they will come in well below B&Q etc..well, that's what I am hoping for.)

 

[Burnerman]

I guess it depends where you are, but in the Newcastle area its Franklin Steel for the best price, or Metals Supermarkets for choice and cutt.ng exactly to size.
You may get lucky at metal fabrication shops or agricultural buildings constructors in the absence of blacksmiths.
John

 

[Lower]

I was hoping to pick some up from somewhere or other for next to nothing (a mate, a scrap yard, etc), but the search isn't successful so far- so I might have to resort to buying from a proper steel stockist.

It would be somewhere in the region of 500mm x 800mm and I am guessing 3mm would be thick enough? (wouldn't be doing heavy work, mostly little jobs and repairs )

So, when they ask me what sort of flat steel this might be, what should I ask for ? (bearing in mind it will be outdoors for a lot of the time, and I am broke/and don't want to spend money if I can help it.)

Thanks

Where in the country are you?

Laser cutting shops often don't bother stock controlling random size offcuts so you might have some luck finding a scrap piece or scrap pieces that you can join.

 

[Fab5Freddy]

@Lower I'm in UK. I'll have a look for laser cutting shops local to me and give them a call, cheers

 

[cdbe]

My local steel stockist (and I presume most others) has a "used" area where all the off cuts are for sale at a discount.

Or eBay, eg:

 

[Burnerman]

For sure, you won’t beat that price!
John

 

[Fab5Freddy]

My local steel stockist (and I presume most others) has a "used" area where all the off cuts are for sale at a discount.

Or eBay, eg:

View attachment 277485

Wow, that is cheap, thank you very much for that. I did look on ebay but didn't find that one.
AND, the postage is free - can't say better than that.