Metal Table Top [Video]

Metal Table Frame

After welding in two cross pieces onto the metal table frame, to help support the table, it was time to build the table top. Tom used 12 gauge hot rolled sheet metal for the main table top. A scrap piece of tread bright aluminum was used as a template to radius each corner. Even arches were created by using the template and marking the steel using a silver colored sharpie. Tom then trimmed the steel using a plasma cutter along the sharpie lines. An angle grinder was used to feather in the corners with the straight edges.
In order to create round edges for the metal table, Tom rolled a metal ring out of flat strap using a Shop Outfitters ring roller. Then he cut the ring in quarters and matched up each piece. The straight flat 3/16″ X 1/2″ hot rolled strap edges were measured to fit and then cut using an Edwards Iron Worker. The corner and straight strap metal was then tack welded onto the sheet metal. The edges were then ground down to blend to form a smooth finish.
Tom finished the metal table by adding rounded support straps that were fabricated using a Shop Outfitters ring roller. Square tube was welded on to help hold an umbrella for the metal table.
A vinegar bath was applied to strip off the mill scale from the metal table. Looking back, it would have been better to start with a pickled and oiled stock.
A quick paint job using water based industrial paint for the base and min-wax poly-shade stain with polyurethane for the top, and the large metal table was complete. After a 24 hour drying period we were ready to move the table into the backyard.
Now, there was only one thing left to do. We invited a few friends over to help break in our new metal table.