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I've come to the conclusion that there isn't a single 'best' solution to this.

I have cast iron surface plate tables, fabricated mild steel tables etc. I keep thinking about a big table with t-slots or holes over the surface for clamps etc.

They all get used for different things.

I would go with mild steel if I only had space for 1 table. Stainless will cost the earth for limited benefit (especially if you're not a stainless-only workshop). The surface will eventually get lots of mild steel dust / chippings etc in it which could still contaminate your stainless projects. Better to rely on pickling paste / mechanical cleaning after manufacture if required IMHO. Also, if you do lots of mild steel work on your stainless table, it will itself become contaminated & start rusting...

Copper / brass etc isn't good. Soft as crap, so it'll be dented / not flat in no time. Its not like a steel table doesn't conduct enough electricity to work as a welding table!

Mild steel means you can buy a decent thickness at reasonable cost. Weight is an important factor. Rust is no prob with a very small amount of oil on a rag wiped over the surface every now and then. Paint the rest up to the top surface, then leave that plain steel. Its fine, even in a dripping workshop like mine.

Cheers, Al.

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Thanks for all the great feedback! The plate is on order for pickup on Friday.

The rest of the story is that my Dad (turning 80 in two weeks) tore apart a wood cabinet while cleaning out his barn about three weeks ago and found a very substantial (~ 100 pounds) steel frame inside. He thought it would a great base for a welding table and gave it to me. The frame needs to be reconfigured quite a bit, but I took it thinking that this would be about 17 projects down the list as I'm still trying to finish the inside of the garage two years after construction. (The last thing I did in there was spread some drywall mud back in February. I'm hoping to sand it off by Christmas.) Two days later Dad calls up an old friend at a steel fabrication company and scoped out the table top. Countersinking screws into the top was his idea as he was a carpenter by trade. I'm going to blame you guys for shooting down his idea! He is all excited about this project and given his age and the fact that I haven't done any projects with him since last winter, I'm getting fired up too and am going to make this happen soon!! Wish us luck as it's been 35 years since I last welded and he never has!!

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