Slotted fab table dimensions?

[BBC71Nova]

I've got a 1/2" thick piece of sheet that I'm gonna use for a welding table top. I don't have a lot of room so the top will end up at about 50" X 32" or less. I've spoken to a laser cutting shop about trimming the top up with rounded corners. I'm also considering putting one of the "X" patterns in it for the hold downs like I've seen in other tables. Does anyone have the dimensions of those "X" patterns?

Any feedback on slotting a table in general? Did it and regret it? Regret not doing it? I plan to offset it to one side so that the other half I have solid.

Comments?

Thanks!
John

 

[INSP380]

My biggest worry would be taking too much strength out of the table. Watch your slot shape and design. The 1/2 table is not very thick and can easily distort on its own, depending on what you clamp to it. We've racked regular 4x8 Acorn tables by an 1" just clamping things down welding and trying to square stuff up. I don't want to be a killjoy, but its something to consider with a 1/2 plate. Little heat and a few well made clamps ....could be too much.


Steve

 

[rsanter]

For a 1/2" thick material I would not slot it. I would rather drill a grid of holes that will take studs or bolts.
Frankly it would be much cheaper and IMO better to buy 2-4 sets of mill table clamps than a bunch of the clamps that are used with the slots on the tables

If you did want to go with a slot I would rather use several shorter slots than a big X through the center of the table

Bob

 

[INSP380]

My thoughts....I'd be cutting a bunch of C clamps in half and using them on this type of table. Weld the clamp to the table, and then take it off when your done. We do this daily,with a few stitch welds. Then hit it with a hard wheel and a mallet and it's gone. Cheep, easy and very accommodating.

Unless you "want" to drill & tap all day.... then they will get buggered up with spatter over time.


Steve

 

[motobilt]

I use t-nuts from a milling machine in the slots on my table. The clamp down kits are very cheap to buy.

 

[BBC71Nova]

^^ table was on my list until I kind of fell into a deal on this piece of 1/2". The Motobilt table is really a nice setup.

I sketched up a few options for the table over the weekend. I also googled around looking for slot dimensions and ideas. It seems like most slots for the clamps, e.g. Miller ArcStation clamps, use 3/4" wide slots. The standard "T-slot" stuff like Dan mentioned is popular as well. I think they come in different sizes but 5/8" is the width I believe I wanted to use if I go that route.

I'm surprised so many are against slots of some sort to use for jigging things up. It seems like it would be a big help versus constantly fighting to get things setup on the edge of the table so you can clamp. I'm still undecided. I have some time to think about it because the cutting shop seems back up a bit.

 

[bullnerd]

https://www.google.com/search?q=jmr...v&sa=X&ei=OanvUuCuGueTyQGzuIGAAg&ved=0CDgQsAQ

 

[sberry]

Don't do anything to it, if you need something special at some point drill a hole. Tables in small shops are also a routine work bench, fist I made it a long way without slots and second wouldn't want every speck falling thru it as well as tools.