Fire Proof Table Top Cover

[DBH45]

I have to use a table(fold up) to do my casting. It is 48" wide by 29 3/4 deep. I am looking for a suitable fire proof surface to put on top of it, that can be removed and easily stored. Frankly I'm stumped on what to use. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
TIA

[LIMPINGJ]

Big drip pan from Wal-Mart or some other auto parts store. The one with just a rolled edge you but on the garage floor to park over, not the deep ones to drain oil in.

[Stephen Cohen]

Limpingj beat me to it, or you could try fibre cement sheeting, if your worried about marking table stick some felt or such on bottom side.

[osteodoc08]

I'd get some fire retardant fire board covered with a oil drip pan from Wally World. It will keep you from melting your table and have easy clean up.

[Mk42gunner]

Concrete backer board, used for mounting tiles in bathrooms. It is about ¼" thick, usually in 4'x4' sheets and can be cut with about any saw you have. sold at Home Despot and other pseudo lumberyards.

Robert

[jeepyj]

I think I would look for Hardie Backer Board it's much smoother than cement board and easier to work with. It comes in a 3'x5' sheets for a reasonable price. Lowes, Depot along most other lumber yards carry it.
Jeepyj

[williamwaco]

I use plain old corrugated card board. Open up a couple of large boxes and spread them out.
Two layers. When the top one gets a few burns in it. I replace it wit a new box.
Cost - zero.

You might burn through it with your propane torch but not by spilling a little lead.

[DBH45]

Thanks for the ideas guys. I think you solved my problem!
Don

[geargnasher]

Drywall.

Gear

[harvester]

Pad that goes under a wood stove is fiber cement covered with thin sheet metal.

[smoked turkey]

I have a piece of old kitchen countertop that I set on a couple of saw horses when I do my casting. Easy clean up and so far no problems.

[Iron Mike Golf]

I use a welder's blanket

[mold maker]

I use a large cookie sheet. The sides are only about 3/4" high, but tall enough to retain spills or drips.

[leeggen]

Go to local restraunt supply and get a sheet pan. They come in various sizes.
CD

[uscra112]

I use a welder's blanket

+1 on the welder's blanket, also called a "fire blanket". I had to buy three when I was on a job at Lockheed in Fort Worth, (their fire-prevention rules were extreme, but I can see why). Griped about the price, but they sure do the job when you need to protect something from heat.

[Iron Mike Golf]

I got the 4' x 6' one for about $20 at Harbor Freight.

[Cadillo]

Your question begs another: Why?

If you need a surface to drop your bullets on, an all cotton bath mat is all you need. Bullets cast of lead are not hot enough to ignite or even sear it. If you're worried about melting the plastic table top, put a thin sheet of plywood that is cut to size underneath the mat. The mat gives enough cushion to preserve the integrity of the boolits' shape, and will not melt like a synthetic fabric.

Also, it folds and fits nicely inside my casting tools box. That's all I've ever used and want for nothing else.

If your needs are different, I have no idea what to tell you.

[capt.hollis]

Hardi plank board is excellent . You can buy it at lowes or Home Depot

[William Yanda]

Check out masonite. Available tempered or untempered 1/8 and 1/4 thickness. Its the stuff pegboard is made out of. Comes in 4 x 8 sheets and is reasonably priced.
Or perhaps your supplier of choice has a damaged sheet of some paneling with a masonite backing-might be even cheaper.