Welding Table

[Haywire]

If you can afford 3/8" or 1/2", I'd go that route.

I looked up a steel weight calculator. 3/8 plate = 183lbs. 1/4 = 122lbs. 1/2" = 244lbs. I have to manhandle it by myself. No forks, lift or hoist unfortunately. I think 3/8 is the most I can do without risk to life, limb, and herniated disk.

Ian

 

[dcyrilc]

ok ill bite whats a highway plate?

My thinking is it is a steel plate they put over an opening in the road that was dug up so people can still use the road until the opening (hole) can be filled in. Like a temporary bridge, heavy steel plate. Probably need to re-mortgage your house in order to buy one.

Gizmo got it right. The size I mentioned to Shield Arc is one size that is typical for use on the highway. There are several sizes which are common. They usually have holes around the edges so that pins can be put into the roadway to keep the plate from moving as traffic hits it while driving over it.

 

[Haywire]

No welding table for me unless I happen onto some free plate. I was quoted $267 for the 3/8 this morning. I'm not willing to pay even half that.

oh well, was a good idea for a few minutes.
Ian

 

[Shield Arc]

why so small?

I'll have you know my welding table is proportionate to the size of my shop, thank you very much! :laughing::laughing::laughing:

 

[sjames]

No welding table for me unless I happen onto some free plate. I was quoted $267 for the 3/8 this morning. I'm not willing to pay even half that.

oh well, was a good idea for a few minutes.
Ian

was that a drop or cut from a full plate? a drop will be cheaper. I dont think i paid much more than that for the 3/4" plate i bought for my welding table.

my top weighs about 400lbs, to put it on the table i drilled a hole in the center for a lifting eye and just chained it to the chain hook on my FEL.

Having a heavy table is nice, The other day i clamped a 13' piece of 4x4 square tubing to it and it was still quite stable even with all that weight hanging over the end.

 

[Runner]

"No welding table for me unless I happen onto some free plate. I was quoted $267 for the 3/8 this morning. I'm not willing to pay even half that."

For me, going from welding on the floor to a table was priceless...

 

[chopped]

ahh yes i thought that also..
that would be some heavy Id think..

 

[dcyrilc]

I'll have you know my welding table is proportionate to the size of my shop, thank you very much! :laughing::laughing::laughing:

Let's not go there. Otherwise I'll just end up being as jealous of your shop as I am of your welding ability.:laughing::laughing::laughing:

 

[chopped]

They usually have holes around the edges so that pins can be put into the roadway to keep the plate from moving as traffic hits it while driving over it.[/QUOTE]

:thumbsup:So the holes are to anchor it down so that it doesnt become a welding table??

 

[dcyrilc]

They usually have holes around the edges so that pins can be put into the roadway to keep the plate from moving as traffic hits it while driving over it.

:thumbsup:So the holes are to anchor it down so that it doesnt become a welding table??[/QUOTE]

Yep. You wouldn't want cars tearing their axles off from dropping into your welding table would you?:confused2:

:laughing::laughing::laughing:

 

[bearcreek paul]

"No welding table for me unless I happen onto some free plate. I was quoted $267 for the 3/8 this morning. I'm not willing to pay even half that."

For me, going from welding on the floor to a table was priceless...

Try your local scrap yard I paid 48.00$ for 2 pieces of 1/2 x12x48.They had street plate but I didn't need it,Plus I would have needed a few friends!!!

 

[MikeD74T]

IMHO that's not overbuilt. You just stole the thoughts for mine out of my head. Mind if I copy your design?

That's a beautiful bench , but beware of the vise extension. With nearly 12" of overhang over the castor axle it may be subject to unexpected overturn. Similar benches at my work place have the front legs angled forward about 15 degrees. MikeD74T

 

[dstig1]

I looked up a steel weight calculator. 3/8 plate = 183lbs. 1/4 = 122lbs. 1/2" = 244lbs. I have to manhandle it by myself. No forks, lift or hoist unfortunately. I think 3/8 is the most I can do without risk to life, limb, and herniated disk.

Ian

Ya gotta a tractor with a loader...

 

[Haywire]

Yea, but it's no good inside my little shop. Would help getting it from the truck to the shop though.

A co-worker of mine is checking a scrap yard that is over in his neck of the woods for a plate that will work.

Ian

 

[rjmack]

i bought a table with legs already welded onto it. not the greatest table, but i thought the price was reasonable.

approx $.80/lbs 5 years ago

 

[Haywire]

I remember getting a penny a pound for scrap iron when I was a kid. I figured out real quick to stick with aluminum cans and forget the steel. Seems times have changed a bit.

Ian

 

[mjncad]

I looked up a steel weight calculator. 3/8 plate = 183lbs. 1/4 = 122lbs. 1/2" = 244lbs. I have to manhandle it by myself. No forks, lift or hoist unfortunately. I think 3/8 is the most I can do without risk to life, limb, and herniated disk.

Ian

Well, I was going to suggest renting an engine hoist; since the table is now out of the question, my suggestion is moot.

"No welding table for me unless I happen onto some free plate. I was quoted $267 for the 3/8 this morning. I'm not willing to pay even half that."

For me, going from welding on the floor to a table was priceless...

No kidding! The more back trouble one has, the more one appreciates not having to contort one's self like a Chinese acrobat.

 

[dcyrilc]

I remember getting a penny a pound for scrap iron when I was a kid. I figured out real quick to stick with aluminum cans and forget the steel. Seems times have changed a bit.

Ian

Not that many years ago (right before the Chineese started building 3 rivers dam) scrap steel was $2/ton. Now it's over $200/ton. Indeed, times have changed.

 

[weldingisfun]

No welding table for me unless I happen onto some free plate. I was quoted $267 for the 3/8 this morning. I'm not willing to pay even half that.

oh well, was a good idea for a few minutes.
Ian

Haywire, keep checking the scrapyards. I picked up a 4 X 8 X 3/8 piece last September for $195.00. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/welding/183165-welding-table-build.html
Runner had it right when he said, "For me, going from welding on the floor to a table was priceless...__________________Runner "
Don't give up on your idea and good luck.:thumbsup:

 

[rjmack]

Not that many years ago (right before the Chineese started building 3 rivers dam) scrap steel was $2/ton. Now it's over $200/ton. Indeed, times have changed.

if i was to find a place that would sell me a nice flat 4x6 or 5x8 piece of 3/4 plate for the price of scrap, i would grab it in some small portion of a split second.:licking: