Work table steel top

[gwayms]

So i bought a 4x3x3/16 plate for the top of my work bench im building. It has a little surface rust and scratches. My question is when you guys make a table do you coat the top with anything or just leave it bare?

 

[A_Pmech]

Wax it with several coats of Johnson's Paste Wax. It is available from any big box store or decent hardware store.

 

[srmofo]

its in with the floor cleaning supplies

 

[bad_idea]

does that keep the spatter from sticking?

 

[A_Pmech]

does that keep the spatter from sticking?

Yes.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Oddly, some people also use Pam spray for a similar purpose, which keeps stuff from sticking as well.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Oddly, some people also use Pam spray for a similar purpose, which keeps stuff from sticking as well.

Wouldn't have thought of that but its smart....and easier than paste wax. Plus? Buy the garlic flavor and get a little "hit" of good favor while you're welding!

 

[gonefirefighting]

I use pledge, (with the wax) it sets up without any mess on anything and smells better

 

[brslk]

I've found that spray on or wipe on things containing waxes can interfere with with the grounding/earthing when welding.

 

[Eastexan]

I've found that spray on or wipe on things containing waxes can interfere with with the grounding/earthing when welding.

What would you suggest, then?

I need to clean the rust off the surface of my table and coat it with something, but was wondering if any coating would interfere with the grounding capability of the table top.

I've wondered about using a thin layer of conductive electrical grease, but then it would be a dirt magnet.

 

[gonefirefighting]

I've found that spray on or wipe on things containing waxes can interfere with with the grounding/earthing when welding.

I have never had a problem of any sort

What would you suggest, then?

I need to clean the rust off the surface of my table and coat it with something, but was wondering if any coating would interfere with the grounding capability of the table top.

I've wondered about using a thin layer of conductive electrical grease, but then it would be a dirt magnet.

I cut a big scotch brite pad into a circle and put it on a buffer and spray the tops with WD40 to clean the top, then apply pledge and let it sit. super easy

 

[gwayms]

So how do you guys clean the steel plate? It has a little surface rust nothing bad, but i need to clean everything off of it to weld it in place. What is the most efficient way to do this? Seems like using a grinder would take forever.

 

[A_Pmech]

So how do you guys clean the steel plate? It has a little surface rust nothing bad, but i need to clean everything off of it to weld it in place. What is the most efficient way to do this? Seems like using a grinder would take forever.

That depends on the rust. I like a scotch brite pad on a jitterbug for fuzz rust or low speed disc sander for heavier rust. Use WD40 or mineral spirits to keep the dust down:

 

[gonefirefighting]

same thing^^^^^ he is a pro

 

[Ft.ValloniaStreaker]

Here's what I done with an old welding table I got from my Grandpa's shop.....It was rusted badly and covered with loctite...good God that man loved that stuff...anyway I put a wire brush in a drill and worked in foot squares, chipped off the loctite then blew off the dust and heated it up with a torch. After it got damned good and hot (techies i'm sure there's a degree reading for that but not in my shop) I rubbed 60w motor oil on it then hit it with the torch again, it makes a candy finish you will not believe! It cleans up easy and will not rust...I have a lot more time than I do money so it worked out good for me.....I done it outside "just in case" but never did get a flame from the table top.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Here's what I done with an old welding table I got from my Grandpa's shop.....It was rusted badly and covered with loctite...good God that man loved that stuff...anyway I put a wire brush in a drill and worked in foot squares, chipped off the loctite then blew off the dust and heated it up with a torch. After it got damned good and hot (techies i'm sure there's a degree reading for that but not in my shop) I rubbed 60w motor oil on it then hit it with the torch again, it makes a candy finish you will not believe! It cleans up easy and will not rust...I have a lot more time than I do money so it worked out good for me.....I done it outside "just in case" but never did get a flame from the table top.

Sounds like seasoning cast iron cookware.

 

[trbomax]

I spray it down with mig nozzel spray. Silicone spray would work too,but I have a real aversion to anything with silicone in it because it gets everywhere and then becomes almost impossible to remove for painting. nozzel spray is paintable.

 

[McKay]

I put gun blue on mine after I took off any rust.....