Welding table build

[CDN Farm Boy]

That table (from link) is overbuilt for 1/2 plate....It would work well with 2" plate or thicker. There's no need for one that much support. It would hold up a D7 dozer. The key to learning fabrication is to use materials wisely...make it strong enough, a little overbuilt maybe, but not something that heavy. You learn nothing about building by making it that way

I couldn't agree more. I'm a licensed carpenter and see this sort of over-building with wood all the time. Same with the welding, why fully weld something when some good quality and well- placed tack or stitch welds will do

I liked that one for the idea of how he did the plate and slats, scaled back on beef to a more reasonable level. Just the steak, don't need the whole cow

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

I stopped on my way to work this am to find options for adjustable feet. $26 got me two of these puppies





1 1/4 x 3 bolts with nut. Should do the trick.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

I've got a couple tables I'll try to take some pictures of later tonight.

 

[ovrszd]

The key to learning fabrication is to use materials wisely...make it strong enough, a little overbuilt maybe, but not something that heavy. You learn nothing about building by making it that way.

That right there is my problem. I tend to throw metal at a project. I gotta learn more patience and planning.

Got some very knowledgeable fabricators and welders following this thread. I'm very anxious to see the results.

Thanks for all contributors.

 

[Shield Arc]

When I built my welding table I used what I had. The frame is what I used to unload my Miller Trailblazer 55D. I built it the same height as the flatbed I had at the time, used a come-along to pull the welder on an off the truck. I needed a plate to go on top of the frame, so I called one of my buddies who was running a job not to far from my house, ask him next time he was in the yard to grab me a 4' x 8' x 3/4-inch plate. Not wanting to go all the way to Seattle to the yard he just went down to the local metal yard and bought me a plate.:cool2:

 

[Tractor Seabee]

SA,

Thanks, I'll work on getting them. By the way, where do you live, obviously in my neck of the woods by your experiences you relate. Are you retired from the trade like I am? I retired from UA Local 26 but Local 290 in Oregon was my real home local. I do consulting on Federal construction contracts now. You never indicate your first name on your posts; is it a secret?

Ron

 

[Tractor Seabee]

When I built my welding table I used what I had. The frame is what I used to unload my Miller Trailblazer 55D. I built it the same height as the flatbed I had at the time, used a come-along to pull the welder on an off the truck. I needed a plate to go on top of the frame, so I called one of my buddies who was running a job not to far from my house, ask him next time he was in the yard to grab me a 4' x 8' x 3/4-inch plate. Not wanting to go all the way to Seattle to the yard he just went down to the local metal yard and bought me a plate.:cool2:

I kept on reading the posts down to here. I wish I had a shop like yours; maybe someday. I work in a 10 X 20 garage tent in front of my garage. In this weather I use halide lights and a diesel salamander burner to work. I love that bench. Mine is only 2' X 4' 1/2" plate but better than nothing. Found it at a garage sale for $50.

Ron

 

[Shield Arc]

Ron your more than welcome to borrow my books so you don't have to buy them. I live at the end of RA Miller road, off of Mullenix road, back in the woods.:laughing: I'm a disabled Pile Driver, Local 2396 Seattle.
Carl

 

[Shield Arc]

I wish I had a shop like yours

You'll have to come over and play sometime.

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

Pulled the plate straight this afternoon. The tubing is clamped to the edge as reference only. As I'd previously mentioned, the gap was about 1/8" in the middle which is too much for me to accept.

As delivered:




Two 5000 lbs ratchet straps and 8x8 blocks later:





The straps are like a violin but I got the plate straight. In fact, I actually pulled the far side past center a bit. Now to flip it over to get the straps out of my way and start tacking things together

 

[ovrszd]

Please don't think I'm questioning this, I'm just trying to educate myself.

Will the table remain straight after the frame is welded to the plate??

Are you going to weld the tubing on the top of the plate as pictured? If so will that tack welding help pull the plate straight too??

Thanks for your answers.

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

The frame will be welded to the side opposite the straps -- at least that is the plan at the moment. I realize that is counter-productive to the heat shrinking conversation that has gone on but I'm not sure I have any other way around it as the only way that I can pull it straight is from the convex side which puts the straps and blocks in the way of the frame.

I plan on taking my time with welding the frame together to ensure it stays straight and being mindful of overheating it while welding. I'm going to tack the frame together with my mig for convenience then use the stick to finish weld -- it's been a several years since I've used the stick so the practice will be good. After the frame is fully welded, I'll stitch weld the top plate on while the straps hold it straight. I don't expect that I'll have enough stitches on it to overly affect it other than holding it in place. I think I'll have an inch or two of stitch every foot or so which I can't imagine will be enough to shrink it any.

Heading back out to the shop now to continue

 

[muddstopper]

Good info on straighting out bent metal. I watched a fellow straighten a axle tube once. He did so by just running light beads of weld in the bent area. The welds pulled the tube back straight. Also watched a utube vid of a guy straighten a large steel shaft using a tig torch. Pretty much the same procedure as running welding beads, except with the tig, no filler metal was used. Everything I try to straighten usually ends up worse than it was before I started.

 

[Shield Arc]

Everything I try to straighten usually ends up worse than it was before I started.

I remember those days. When I worked in a fab shop in the 1970s, I got stuck building 200 of these for the Seattle Metro bus system. The legs had 1/8-inch tolerance at the bottom. If you ever welded much square tube, you'll know how reactive it is to heat.:shocked: Every one of the legs had to be heat shrink back into spec.

 

[Reverser]

I remember those days. When I worked in a fab shop in the 1970s, I got stuck building 200 of these for the Seattle Metro bus system. The legs had 1/8-inch tolerance at the bottom. If you ever welded much square tube, you'll know how reactive it is to heat.:shocked: Every one of the legs had to be heat shrink back into spec.

My goodness!!!
Is there anything you haven't done? :laughing:

 

[Shield Arc]

My goodness!!!
Is there anything you haven't done? :laughing:

Oh I've built a few things in my time.

 

[Reverser]

SHAZAM!!! :shocked:

Yep, I guess you've been one busy fella. :confused2::laughing:

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

SHAZAM!!! :shocked:

Yep, I guess you've been one busy fella. :confused2::laughing:

No kidding!

What's the deal with the bridge in pic #3? Looks like it is floating

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

SHAZAM!!! :shocked:

Yep, I guess you've been one busy fella. :confused2::laughing:

No kidding!

What's the deal with the bridge in pic #3? Looks like it is floating. Where is it?

 

[Shield Arc]

There are 7-floating bridges in the world. 4 of them are here in the Puget Sound area. I've only worked on 3 of them. The company I worked for is replacing the 4th one now.