Welding Table

[Haywire]

I've got a set of metal legs I was thinking about putting a top on to make a small welding table. It would be about 3' square and about 3' tall. My projects won't be that big and I'm a bit space constrained so I figure it would work for a base that won't catch on fire. Might build a small shelf underneath to hold the welder. I was thinking 1/4" plate for the top.

What do you think? How large are your welding tables in comparison to project size?

Ian

Edit... went out and measured. It would be 36x30 and 28" tall.

 

[Wooddust]

Im gonna do a similar set up. Im looking for a highway plate to make top out of but not easy to find so far.

 

[Runner]

Mine is 53 x 60, but that was because I happened to have access to a piece of 3/8 inch checkerplate that was already cut to that size. For most stuff I work on, 36 x 48 would probably be plenty big enough, but, of course, bigger is always better if you can do it....

I really like having the side and back panels on this table, keeps the grindings and welding spatter from going all over the place, but it probably would be too confining on a smaller table.

 

[Gizmo2]

My table has a 1/4 inch steel top, been using it for years. The top is well supported on the under side and has severed me well. The top is approximately 2ft x 4ft. On the other end of the spectrum my dad had a welding table the was approximately 5ft x 10ft and 1 inch thick.

 

[grsthegreat]

mine is 2' x 4' made with 1/4" plate on top shelf and an additional 1/4" plate for a bottom (lower) shelf. i used 2x2 tube for the legs. i used 2 shelves to strengthen it.

been used for 6 years, works great. sometimes i wish it was larger, but i didnt want to take up too much space.

amazing this is, with the 1000's of pictures i have on this puter...none of my welding bench. go figure. heres a partial view with a gate leaning on it

 

[Gizmo2]

mine is 2' x 4' made with 1/4" plate on top shelf and an additional 1/4" plate for a bottom (lower) shelf. i used 2x2 tube for the legs. i used 2 shelves to strengthen it.

been used for 6 years, works great. sometimes i wish it was larger, but i didnt want to take up too much space.

amazing this is, with the 1000's of pictures i have on this puter...none of my welding bench. go figure. heres a partial view with a gate leaning on it

I also used 2x2 legs and I don't have a picture of my table either, so that makes 2 slackers.

 

[NOTV8]

I think over did mine... 36"Wx72L 35"H with 4x4 legs and 1/2" top.

 

[Haywire]

That's a nice one.. I am tempted to make mine 36x48. The legs I have are set up for casters, but don't have any, so they will probably add 6" of height. That'll be a good thing.

Ian

 

[dcyrilc]

I think over did mine... 36"Wx72L 35"H with 4x4 legs and 1/2" top.

IMHO that's not overbuilt. You just stole the thoughts for mine out of my head. Mind if I copy your design?

 

[clutchcargo]

4'x6' 1/4''' top 2x2 legs and girts

Here is my list of indispensibles

!. clamp rack
2. Pencil, punch tape tray
3 torch sling or mount
4 open ended tube to slide a smaller tube in for vises or a table extension for longer projects
5 an electric outlet
6 hooks for cords etc
7 place to hand grinder
8 make sure there is at least a 2 inch lip all around the top for clamping

 

[dcyrilc]

4'x6' 1/4''' top 2x2 legs and girts

Here is my list of indispensibles

!. clamp rack
2. Pencil, punch tape tray
3 torch sling or mount
4 open ended tube to slide a smaller tube in for vises or a table extension for longer projects
5 an electric outlet
6 hooks for cords etc
7 place to hand grinder
8 make sure there is at least a 2 inch lip all around the top for clamping

Great point about the lip for clamping. I'll have to remember that when I get to building mine.

 

[Shield Arc]

Remember guys, size matters! :laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing:

 

[Haywire]

If I had that much room, I'd have a big table too...

Ian

 

[grsthegreat]

modst of my work consists of metal art projects (smallish) or huge 14' gate projects. not much inbetween. the huge things get built on the ground. the smaller things get bench time.

 

[Shield Arc]

If I had that much room, I'd have a big table too...

Ian

Actually the table was just working with what I had on hand, not a lot of pre thought went into to it. But to date nothing has crushed it.

 

[dcyrilc]

Remember guys, size matters! :laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing:

If that's the case, then why so small? Surely you could have found a piece 8'x20'x1" lying around somewhere.:laughing:

 

[Haywire]

Something I just thought about and found funny. My welding table is going to be bolted together. :laughing::laughing::laughing:

When I get to where I think I can weld good enough, I'll weld everything in place, remove the bolts and weld the holes up.

I've decided on 36x48. I'm pricing the plate tomorrow. If it isn't too expensive, I'm going with 3/8" plate. If they want too much for that, I'll go with 1/4 and add some angle underneath to stiffen it up for the 48" stretch. Countersunk bolts of course, at least for now.

Ian

 

[mjncad]

Haywire:

If you can afford 3/8" or 1/2", I'd go that route.

NotV8:

I want that table and vise of yours!

 

[chopped]

ok ill bite whats a highway plate?

 

[Gizmo2]

My thinking is it is a steel plate they put over an opening in the road that was dug up so people can still use the road until the opening (hole) can be filled in. Like a temporary bridge, heavy steel plate. Probably need to re-mortgage your house in order to buy one.