Weld table, what tools are your favorite?

[ArlyA]

I built a weld work table this fall and loving it. Did a few project on it already and now I'm adding tools to it. What are you favorite tools and accessories do you have with ours? Do post pics.

 

[ArlyA]

Side-note. Ive been welding 3/8 steel using 035 wire with my Everlast welder.

 

[jwmorris]

I find a rotary positioner to be pretty handy for making nice welds around things

 

[Cargo pants]

Like you, I love using the flap wheel on the grinder to smooth all the sharp edges away. I also see in the next picture that you have another grinder with the thin cutting disc. I wish I had 2 grinders so I wouldn't have to constantly switch the discs from cut to sand.

So using the .035 mig to weld thick metal, do you get good penetration/weld build up? Or do you have to make multiple passes, or lay it on extra thick with lots of swirling in one place then moving along?

 

[Bearsixty7]

Like you, I love using the flap wheel on the grinder to smooth all the sharp edges away. I also see in the next picture that you have another grinder with the thin cutting disc. I wish I had 2 grinders so I wouldn't have to constantly switch the discs from cut to sand.

So using the .035 mig to weld thick metal, do you get good penetration/weld build up? Or do you have to make multiple passes, or lay it on extra thick with lots of swirling in one place then moving along?

2? you need 3 grinders, 1 with cutting wheel, 1 with a grinder disk, and 1 with a flap disk!
Also, Get 3 identical ones! I have 3 different ones (one is 4" other 2 are 4.5") and they don't even use the same wrench and one needs a different shield for a cutoff wheel vs a flap wheel or grinding disk.
I am watching for my favorite of the 3 (The Milwaukee) to go on sale and I'm buying 2 more then I'll sell the other 2.

 

[Bearsixty7]

I actually bought a 2'x4' rolling welding table years ago when on a promotion sale and it has been so worth the money. It has the round holes spaced evenly for jigs and clamps. I (and my knees) just like having my workpiece at a comfortable height instead of kneeling on the concrete shop floor. I bought 2 clamps that sit in the holes for clamping pieces and they work really well.

 

[scootr]

I have 2 grinders with a course wheel, a fine wheel, a wire wheel, and a flap sander... and a 4 " belt sander with a 6" disc all mounted on a bench... then I also have a pair of handheld 4" disc grinders plugged in kept on a shelf under the Vise end of the workbench. A drawer filled with a variety of vice grips is handy.

 

[5030]

I find a rotary positioner to be pretty handy for making nice welds around things

View attachment 846263

Kinda of what I use, sort of. I had an old Bison 3 jaw chuck (threaded) that I made a positioner out of. I turned and threaded a dummy spindle and mounted it on a variable speed drive that I can clamp to the welding table so it rotates at whatever speed I require to weld at, which is usually MIG but I do mostly TIG anyway.

I was given a 4x6 sheet of 3/8" hot rolled plate that I fabbed up legs (on industrial casters) that is at 'sitting' height. It came with no holes, so I laid it out and used my mag drill to drill the required holes at the correct spacing and I use the cam lock toggle clamps and various blocks to jig everything I weld up. I only did half the table. The other half is not drilled. I typically weld large stuff. I'd say the table weighs about 1000 pounds but rolls effortlessly on the industrial casters. far as grinders go, I use many, both air powered, cordless and corded and many different wheels and wire brushes and the table is hard grounded which is necessary when welding with high frequency TIG. I buy my wheels and flap discs in bulk. Cheaper that way. I really like the HF 4.5" grinding wheels when on sale, I vacuum them up but then I also have a 10" corded grinder for the big jobs. The HF thin kerf cut off wheels are nice as well but I don't use a lot of them as a rule. I much prefer a plasma cutter for severance.

 

[ruffdog]

Get some magnetic squares and anti splatter spray.

Amazon.com

 

[2manyrocks]

Aluminum framing square, clamps.

 

[ruffdog]

A variety of Kant-twist clamps.

Kant-Twist Clamp Manufacturing Inc. | Penn Tool Co.

 

[ArlyA]

Like you, I love using the flap wheel on the grinder to smooth all the sharp edges away. I also see in the next picture that you have another grinder with the thin cutting disc. I wish I had 2 grinders so I wouldn't have to constantly switch the discs from cut to sand.

So using the .035 mig to weld thick metal, do you get good penetration/weld build up? Or do you have to make multiple passes, or lay it on extra thick with lots of swirling in one place then moving along?

In welding the 3/8, I just ran it slow and slightly down hill, pulling the puddle. The forged hook was Ved out. Seemed to weld fine.

 

[WranglerX]

My new favorite tool is this simple MIG gun holder.... Got so tired when laying MIG gun down and reeling off a bunch of wire I finally had to make one.... Since there is no hardware/welding supply store locally that has one, yes I made it... Found magnet for $7.99 at local hardware and then a little flat stock and a bit of 3/4 inch "gas" pipe... Yes welds are just "tack's" for now but soon I might finish welding it if I find I like this creation...

 

[etpm]

My new favorite tool is this simple MIG gun holder.... Got so tired when laying MIG gun down and reeling off a bunch of wire I finally had to make one.... Since there is no hardware/welding supply store locally that has one, yes I made it... Found magnet for $7.99 at local hardware and then a little flat stock and a bit of 3/4 inch "gas" pipe... Yes welds are just "tack's" for now but soon I might finish welding it if I find I like this creation...

View attachment 846550 View attachment 846551

I really like your idea. I'm gonna make one for myself. I keep using different methods, hanging my TIG torch or MIG gun off of whatever is convenient. I hate it when the trigger on the MIG gun gets pressed and there is wire all over the floor. Your idea is great. Thanks for the pictures. BTW, I have been TIG welding for over 30 years, MIG welding for over 20 years. You'd think I'd get a clue.
Eric

 

[MF RED in MT]

I have 2 of these HF magnetic Mig torch holders and I think they work good.

I leave one on top of the welder and the other one on the welding table.

KC

Magnetic MIG Torch Holder

Amazing deals on this Magnetic Mig Torch Holder at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[ArlyA]

I like your holder idea as well. Will get one. We've got snow here which make us rather busy but I'll post photos and comments later. I have three 4.5" grinders all with different wheels in them.

 

[BravoXray]

2? you need 3 grinders, 1 with cutting wheel, 1 with a grinder disk, and 1 with a flap disk!

I have four, the additional one has a wire cup brush.

Edit: Oh, I have five, I forgot about the big Makita 9" grinder. It's a monster, gotta really have ahold of it when you pull the trigger.

 

[jjeff]

Cordless grinders? DeWalt 20 volt brushless and an old 18 volt, all my corded grinders either have new or spliced cords the repaired ones are definitely not OSHA approved lol.

 

[BravoXray]

My new favorite tool is this simple MIG gun holder.... Got so tired when laying MIG gun down and reeling off a bunch of wire I finally had to make one.... Since there is no hardware/welding supply store locally that has one, yes I made it... Found magnet for $7.99 at local hardware and then a little flat stock and a bit of 3/4 inch "gas" pipe... Yes welds are just "tack's" for now but soon I might finish welding it if I find I like this creation...

View attachment 846550 View attachment 846551

I made one just about like yours a while back.

 

[jjeff]

Mig pliers? Rather Inexpensive and indispensable once I finally bought them.