Toronto, ON. -- Hello World.

[shenion]

That sheet as a welding top would be too thin. Yes, galvanized would cause bad fumes.

You want heavy steel as it will collect spatter that may need to be ground off. How thick depends on use. Some use a real heavy sheet like 3/8". Others use thinner with lots of steel support. You don't want it warping with heat.

Check ebay and Craigs list for something close for cheap metal. I have seen "scrap metal" listings on CL. I picked up a bunch of angle iron off of CL in their "materials" section.

Yeah, that stool is actually illegal (milk crate). That pic was after I had just lifted it into place (you can see the lifting strap.)

 

[deadbanana0717]

I just checked out lowes.. seems they got some good prices on steel. I may have some real metal to play with soon... my garage is poorly set up at this point in time. No insulation so no winter fun. No ventilation aside from opening the garage door. I got my angle grinders today to... I imagine grinding... welding will leave lots of fine metal dust and fumes... this sure don't sound like a healthy sport...

None the less, it doesn't seem to down my enthusiasm...

 

[shenion]

Lowes / HomerD are ridiculously expensive on steel. $17 for a 4' piece while I can get a 20' piece for less from a supplier.

I do get an odd piece from them.

Hard part using a local supplier is they sell in 20' lengths. I usually buy half a dozen pieces and have them cut them in half. Even with the cut charge, it is way cheaper.

 

[deadbanana0717]

Wow... I'll hold off on visiting lowes.. their prices were way better than Canadian tire... tears expensive. I guess I will wait until this supplier with married me back. Sigh... the weathers too cold to be in yet garage anyways. I would weld inside my house if I could haha.... any suggestions for a small practice/project item to make that is practical as well?

 

[deadbanana0717]

Im thinking taking the top off.. going around the side like a lid. Cutting the shelves inside off.. and welding the top back on... good practice?

Slap a 1/4 inch 2' x 2' steel slab on and I got my welding table for now. It will store my mig welder too...