I wanted to bring up the proper upkeep and care of our Arc Flat table located in welding area #1. This precision-machined table was purchased a few years ago, and maintaining its flat surface is critical for the projects many of our members rely on. Recently, some new grinding marks have appeared. While these marks are not detrimental, even minor material loss alters the table’s precise geometry and reduces its lifespan.
While it might be tempting to use an angle grinder to remove spatter—especially looking at our older tables—please follow these guidelines to protect the Arc Flat table:
What NOT to do:
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Do not stick weld or plasma cut directly on the Arc Flat table. Stick welding produces large, heavy droplets that stick easily, and plasma cutting should be avoided on fixture tables in general.
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Do not tack pieces to the table. Tacks will not easily pop off with a chisel. Please use our non-fixture tables if you need to tack pieces down.
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Do not use an angle grinder with a grinding stone to remove spatter, as this compromises the precision-machined surface.
How to help maintain the table:
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Use anti-spatter spray before welding. This spray will be kept on the toolbox located between the tables.
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Use a scraper for leftover spatter. I find I can usually remove most spots using the small yellow prybar in the top drawer of the welding toolbox. For stubborn spots, use the heavy-duty scrapers in the bottom drawer of the metal shop toolbox and hit the end with a hammer. (Additional scrapers are being purchased specifically for the welding area).
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Use a wire wheel on an angle grinder, which is safe and effective for cleaning up small spatter spots.
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Report issues if you cannot clean the table sufficiently or if you find that a previous user left spatter behind, so we can clean it properly and, if necessary, grind the stubborn spatter spot very carefully with a flap disc.
Thank you for helping keep our equipment in top shape, especially as we consider purchasing more of these tables in the future.