Welding table build.

Rustyiron · Oct 11, 2017

Big Barn said:
Not really.

SMART was when I dipped into my daughter's dwindling inheritance money....View attachment 524396

:laughing::laughing::laughing:
That's top of the line there! I'm still running my cheapo Evolution mag drill, when it's shot (now realizing how great a mag drill is) I'll step up:thumbsup:

ovrszd · Oct 11, 2017

Jeepnford said:
ovrszd. I really like the drop leaf on your table.

Trying to save space in my shop. I use it for a cutting table. Wanted it to be in the upright position perfectly flat with the welding table. Had to rely on "ShieldArc" for help with that.

Thanks for the compliment. Your workmanship exceeds mine. Don't want to distract from your very well built table!!!!

ovrszd · Oct 11, 2017

Oldpath05 said:
I like your's better, wont lose any nuts and bolts through holes, then for welding a fold up table, and lastly the nice screw down feet to support the severe aggravation fits from working on Fords. What's the top made of?

Mark, I understand the use of both types of table tops. The slotted/holed version limits varied use. But if you are jigging a lot, it's better. With my top I have to weld jig brackets to the top and then cut them off when I'm done.

If the intended use of a welding table is all kinds of metal work, including vice work, the screw down feet are a necessity. Only thing I did wrong was I used coarse thread 3/4" bolts. Should have used fine thread. You gotta get right ahold of them to screw up/down. My table weighs somewhere around 500lbs. Top is 3/4" mild steel plate. Bought off Craigslist for $100.

ovrszd · Oct 11, 2017

shadetree said:
Two great tables. Lots of work in each.

ovrszd since it's all in your head, could you post some more pictures of your fold down? It looks like you got the alignment perfect.

Again, I give all the credit to "ShieldArc". He taught me how to design the fold down/latch up system. My first attempt wouldn't fold at all. Excuse my non-mathematical verbiage. The distance from the hinge pin to the table top pin must EXACTLY match the distance from the hinge pin to the lower leg pin. After that it's all secondary. Since I don't beat on stuff or load the extension with extreme weight I didn't worry so much about the supports. They are 1/4x2 flatbar that I had onhand.

Not sure these pics will help you, but it's all I got. Sorry to the OP for the distraction!!!!!

ovrszd · Oct 11, 2017

Bigbarn, Terry, is a craftsman. He's very modest. So you gotta almost pry his knowledge out of him. But he's definitely a Metal Craftsman!!!! I pay very close attention to his posts and read them repeatedly hoping some of it will soak in......

Jeepnford · Oct 11, 2017

flusher said:
Like the frame. Don't like the top. Ten pieces of steel plate--too difficult to ensure that these plates are aligned so the top is sufficiently flat for precision work.

It's a lot more precision than when I laid a couple of lengths of C-channel across some saw horses. With three rectangular tubes for support it's actually pretty flat. I really haven't built anything that requires extremely close tolerances. A machinist I am not. I did get a little carried away with the holes.

ovrszd · Oct 11, 2017

Jeepnford said:
It's a lot more precision than when I laid a couple of lengths of C-channel across some saw horses. With three rectangular tubes for support it's actually pretty flat. I really haven't built anything that requires extremely close tolerances. A machinist I am not. I did get a little carried away with the holes.

I think it has the perfect number of holes!!!

Jeepnford · Oct 11, 2017

ovrszd said:
Again, I give all the credit to "ShieldArc". He taught me how to design the fold down/latch up system. My first attempt wouldn't fold at all. Excuse my non-mathematical verbiage. The distance from the hinge pin to the table top pin must EXACTLY match the distance from the hinge pin to the lower leg pin. After that it's all secondary. Since I don't beat on stuff or load the extension with extreme weight I didn't worry so much about the supports. They are 1/4x2 flatbar that I had onhand.

Not sure these pics will help you, but it's all I got. Sorry to the OP for the distraction!!!!!

The OP doesn't mind. He likes to see what others have done.

ovrszd · Oct 11, 2017

Me too. I've learned more than I've ever contributed to this site.

Here's a couple other pics. Not sure who posted them here. They are two ideas I thought ingenious for cutting tables. One catches the mess. One rotates.