What sander do I need to sand a metal welding table?

[klieber]

So I just picked up this steel welding table, which I plan to use as a general shop table:

(not my **** - that's the PO's pic)

It's got surface rust pretty much everywhere and I'd like to get rid of it, then use some sort of sealer to help keep it off (considering Sheila Shine) from another member's recommendation)

However, I've never done anything this big before. What sander do I need? I have this dewalt air compressor, so if I go the air tool route, it needs to work with that (5 SCFM @ 90psi). Otherwise, it needs to be electric.

I don't care about getting the table to a mirror finish or anything like that. Just enough to get the rust off and make it generally smooth. Again, it's a general shop table and it's going to get the **** beat out of it.

Thanks!

 

[zkling]

7" or 9" angle grinder a cup brush and a few ~60grit flap disks. A 4.5" would work, but take longer.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I'd try my belt sander first. other wise as zkling suggests.

Richard

 

[klieber]

Any recommendations on 7"/9" angle grinders? I have other Milwaukee tools and have always been happy with them, but am open to other, quality options as well.

 

[zkling]

Do you already have a 4.5"? If so I wouldn't buy a 7 or 9 just for this. The larger ones are handy for clearing a large surface but for general home shop type fab they are a bit cumbersome and expensive on the consumables.

 

[neophyte]

An electrical burnishing machine would work, but the right type of wheel on an angle grinder would be far less expensive.

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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/P8fcZ7CSroY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[klieber]

Yeah, good point. I have a cheap HF 4.5" -- will either use that or buy a better 4.5" unit. Either way, I'll get more use out of a 4.5" than a larger one.

 

[klieber]

An electrical burnishing machine would work, but the right type of wheel on an angle grinder would be far less expensive.

Cool videos -- I didn't even know those tools existed. Probably more specialized than I need and way overkill for a shop table, but if I ever win the lottery, I'm buying one of those just to have it.

 

[nickelTwin]

I have a steel welding table about that size. I just use a 4.5 inch angle grinder with a flap disc and than take random orbital sander for a nice finnish.

I do it about once a year. I've never put anything on the table surface and it's worked well for me the last 5 years.

 

[PhantomEB]

Love these ideas! Bookmarking this thread just to keep it in mind for the annual table cleaning!

 

[drivesitfar]

KL: i used a Dewalt 7.5 inch hand grinder with a rope wire wheel cup brush to take off all the lead paint and rust off of this old steel work bench. here's a few before and after. i do like the Dewalt a bit better than my 7.5 inch Milwaukee which i also use to clean off steel with a soft wire wheel cup brush.

I'm sure a 4.5 inch hand grinder with a similar brush would work as well and just take a bit longer and you'll always be able to use a wire wheel cup brush so it's worth buying one for this project and then having it around for the future.

as far as keeping the rust off there are many ways and also depends on your climate. Johnson paste wax works and you'll need to apply every couple months depending on your situation. WD 40 works. Boiled linseed oil works. Fluid film i hear works great and you don't have to apply as often. there are also several marine type chemical rust inhibitors and i'm not sure of all their names at the moment, but there are a few threads on this subject if you do a search.

good luck and looks like nice sturdy table to beat the **** out things on it if you need to.

 

[sberry]

I use a 7 inch sander cause I got one but a 9 inch wheel run flat does a great job and knocks any bb's and nicks down. I got to agree, wire wheel with a grinder you already have and then a flap disk to smooth off.

 

[Von Der Pfalz]

Run a large grinder flat against the surface to knock any splatter or tacs down. Finish with an 80 grit flapper and you will be good to go. It's what we have our welders do on their tables at least once a month.

 

[ishiboo]

Do you ever weld/pound/etc?

Another thought would be to toss a wood top over it, that you can lift off if you want to do any welding/heat/dirty/etc. on it.

 

[The Tate]

I had a Norton Rapid Strip wheel for a 5" grinder. It was an orange coloured one. Works like a charm, doesn't dig into metal. When I built my new benches, it'll take it down to the mill scale without going through to help keep the rust at bay.

 

[Mud]

What the other side like?

 

[hangfirew8]

I don't care about getting the table to a mirror finish or anything like that. Just enough to get the rust off and make it generally smooth. Again, it's a general shop table and it's going to get the **** beat out of it.

Sanding? Why make so much work for yourself? Get a sandblaster.