Building welding/work table?

[NOTV8]

Thanks for all the ideas. I'm sure someone else will find this thread helpfull. Anyway I did not finish the table yesterday... got to do something else with the wife request .
Here's a partial pics of where I am. I wanted to put two receiver on the end but then change my mind and will be putting it on the front instead. I will be supporting the middle of the table with one 2" tube then every 8" or 10" will be 2" angle iron forming "V" on the table and will just strip weld it to prevent the top from warping (not sure if it is but just to be on the safe side). I will be putting 5" casters on it from Northern Tool with 1000lbs. rating. I'm still thinking how I will put a brake on it but we'll see. So... how am I doing so far? Will take more pics as I go on....

 

[gerard]

Thanks guys. I decided to pick up the 1/2" plate and the money save is going for a floor drill press :thumbsup: or maybe a combination mill and drill press :drool:. Now that will be another question I will be asking later on.... If the weather gets warmer this weekend I will be building this.

Guess this is settled law but for a hobby welder I think 1/2 inch is still way overkill. When I bought our farm the owner left me his welding table which was just vertical 4x4 and a top plate that's either 1/4 or 5/16 at most and I just don't know what I would need it thicker for. The thing's sturdy, too heavy to move around now and does the job for a farm welder just fine. I mean 1/2 inch won't hurt anything. Just costs more and doesn't do a lot more for you unless you're jigging up some really big projects.

 

[Scooby074]

looks good so far. 1/2 is the way to go. The extra mass is more than worth it.

How much lip are you leaving around the perimeter? You want several inches (as deep as your deepest clamp or clamps you intend on buying)

on the receivers 2/side gives lots of flexability although i only use one or 2 at a time. cheap and easy to do now however.

 

[rjmack]

2" would have been plenty for the legs, and then you could have welded the legs to the strongbacks instead of the table top. part of the reason for the strongback setback is so that you can still use the full throat depth of c clamps around the outside edge.

looks like you are doing a nice fit up job anyway:thumbsup:

 

[tmxj]

That looks like a good table. Mine is a cheap one, 3' by 5' of new 3/8" (flat) plate, three inch angle around the perimeter, set in four inches, so I can get a vise grip or screw clamp on the edge, and 3" oilfield pipe legs, with 3" pipe skids under it so it can be used outside as well as inside. There is a lower shelf that is loaded up with metal so it does not move when I am bending something or using a cheater on something that is in the vice. I'd do about the same thing if I was building another, unless I was expecting to do some serious heating and hammering on the table top, then I'd used 1/2" plate. Weight is a good thing, My table probably has 2 - 300 pounds of metal on the lower shelf.

 

[Hookblock]

This is the table I built, a lot of good ideas here and at WeldingWeb - Welding forum for pros and enthusiasts - Powered by vBulletin The only thing I would do different to my table is locking casters. Looks like you got a great start to your table.


http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/128604-why-did-i-wait-so.html

 

[NOTV8]

This is just an update where I am now with this project. The wheels came in today so I just place it there and took a picture but am not really sure if I should weld it now or later once I flip it. It will be easier to flip it without the wheels but will be awkward to weld it later. Any ideas? Thinking lift it by the tractor or put it on my four post lift so with higher reach... Here's the latest pics anyway.

 

[LD1]

Looking very good so far.:thumbsup:

 

[Hookblock]

The table I use the most is a 3' x 4' x 3/16'' and sits out side year round
Your table is looking good :thumbsup:

 

[NOTV8]

My table is done. And I already started using it for another project...
Here's the final pics.... :thumbsup: I think it is okay project from a guy who never touch a welder before. I used all 11lbs. spool of wires and whole tank of gas on this project, for all the settings and practice welds too .

put something on both sides for clamp and vise grips storage

and who said you can't paint when it's only 30* . Can't do it inside the garage so I got to do it outside :laughing:

After the painting she's done . I did the blue color for the cabinet just to complement the welder. I guess that is why they call it... "the power of blue" :thumbsup:

I'm thinking putting a middle shelf on both sides for for additional storage space but this will do for now :thumbsup:.

burned my wearguard jacket thru my sweater while welding under the table... . I guess it went to the seam and started the fire... it spare my t-shirt though from burning .

Soooo... what you guys and gals think?

 

[tulenutn2o]

Hopefully I ask on the right forum. Anyway... I wanted to build a welding table and just have a newbie question. I wanted the size of 36"x72" but not sure on the thickness I should go. I am thinking of 1/2", 3/4" or 1". I already bought the legs of 4"x4"x1/4", 2" horizontals and 2" angles. Is there a different grade/type I should be looking for? I am getting A36 by the way as of now. This is just for home project use. Still undecided if I will mount my vice permanently or use it now as it is on a 2" receiver, ON and OFF my table. I will also try to put some tool drawers under it to put some tools and my helmet. Man... this welding hobby is getting expensive . Good thing I have all our bills online and my wife never see it. I just paid it as soon as I get the email... She did asked me though when I got the welder when she came in one time and saw me in the garage doing some welding... and I said that was her x'mas gift for me this year together with the 14" chop saw....

Thanks for any input.

:laughing::laughing::laughing:Good one! Our wives must be sisters, because that's what I tell mine.

 

[rjmack]

looks good:thumbsup:

maybe you should reload the pics so we can get a better look

 

[mjncad]

Thanks guys. I decided to pick up the 1/2" plate and the money save is going for a floor drill press :thumbsup: or maybe a combination mill and drill press :drool:. Now that will be another question I will be asking later on....

If you get a mill/drill, make sure it's a square column one. The round column ones lose your setup if you have to adjust the height.

This was my first project with my big welder and I went a bit overboard, warping the top a bit. It hasn't caused any problems using it over the last 15 years, but pride of workmanship would have preferred I hadn't warped it.

Wow...That's a lot of full length welding holding your top down.

 

[not2old]

You did a great job. I hope you get as much use from yours as I get from mine. Fifteen years later, tons of use, and I would build it exactly the same.

 

[NOTV8]

Here's some other pics...

my vise can be put on either side by the use of 2" receiver. The wheels are 5" and rated for 1000lbs. each from Northern Tools.

the square tube you see on the bottom is my leveler/brake. I wanted to use a scissor jack but I already have this part so no extra expense there. The bottom is 14 guage sheet metal I got from cabinet shelvings.

I put 1" pipe on both sides for the gun to rest after using it.

also put receptalces on both sides

I will take a look on all my invoice to see how much this thing weighs... this thing is heavy to push

 

[Scooby074]

nice finished product.

Like the file cabinet.!:thumbsup:

 

[Runner]

V8,

Outstanding work! Congratulations on a beautiful welding table.

I would like to see a close-up shot of your levellers if it wouldn't be too much trouble.

Thanks.

 

[mjncad]

Holy crap V8, that's a gorgeous table! I like how you put the cube farm drawers to good use.