Welding Tips and Tricks

After not welding for over 10 years (in high school) I’m planning on picking up the stick again.

My workbench is all wood though (on rubber wheels) and I’m worried about 1) it catching fire, 2) problems connecting welding earth cable.

The Bench


I’m considering something like this. Having a metal sheet connected to the welders earth cable on top of some concrete pavers. This would give separation between hot metal and wood reducing fire risk and allow me to work on a surface without connecting the welder earth clamp directly to whatever I’m welding.


I’m not sure of what kind of material to use for the metal sheet however. Would a hot dip galvanized steel product work similar to the one linked here?
https://www.bunnings.com.au/australian- ... t_p0914932

This is the welder I'm considering getting.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/bossweld-10 ... r_p6380043

Thanks!

Don't go with hot dip galvanize. Toxic fumes, hard to get good grounds on, and it likes to "pop" if it gets too hot.

I have a cheap $90 hobby bench I weld on at home that has a wooden top. I just have 12" x 48" x0.25" thick plate of hot rolled steel sitting on top and no issues. Have a section of the mill scale ground away where I put my ground clamp, and occasionally rest another 12" x 12" x 0.5" thick plate of aluminum on top of that. I used to do the same 19+ years ago wheb all I had was a fold up plastic table and never had any issues with that either. Super cheap and it worked.

Definity go with something at least 3/16" (aroubd 5mm) thick though to keep the heat from building up too quickly.

I’d just go with one of these mate

https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/W1004

Nice and easy and you can get add on clamps etc.