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?