Yes a another welding table top question from ME!

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Before you flame, yes I have looked at past threads (even my own) on this topic.The welding hobby is turning into a small business. I'm making some money (trying to avoid the addiction of buying shop stuff) to purchase speed parts.The 3/8 top is warped. I'm tired of shimming stuff to get level. After the last build I want to get a thick, flat table. Frame is 28x40 2' square tube 1/4 wall.I want this to be last top I buy for this frame. Two questions:1. How thick would be minimum you would recommend?2. How much over hang?I think the original top was warped when I got it. I don't think my welding warped it do to heat. I don't build heavy walled stuff requiring a ton of heat. I tend to build gym squat racks which are 48" at widest point.Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from...table&_sacat=0
Reply:My welding table is 4'x8' and uses 1/2" steel for the top.  The legs and supports are 4" thick wall.  I don't think 3/8's is too thin, but you need to support it and weld it to a flat and square base.  Maybe your base isn't square and flat.  Fix what you already have if it's big enough for your needs.Miller Syncrowave 350Millermatic 252/ 30A spoolgunMiller Bobcat 225g w/ 3545 spoolgunLincoln PowerArc4000Lincoln 175 Mig  Lincoln 135 Mig Everlast 250EX TigCentury ac/dc 230 amp stickVictor O/AHypertherm 1000 plasma
Reply:Mike I would love one of those but........Doug frame is level, square and true, top not so muchDave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:I know 1/2" will stand up without warping..... unless you use a rosebud or something on it.  My overhang is about 3 inches.  I made sure one of the 4' edges was ground completely square and flat so I could form sheet metal on it.  I welded a trailer receiver under one edge to accept a nice big vise with the matching hitch.  I have an 800# rated HF winch mounted on the ceiling above the table to lift the vise out of the way and suspend it until I need it.Miller Syncrowave 350Millermatic 252/ 30A spoolgunMiller Bobcat 225g w/ 3545 spoolgunLincoln PowerArc4000Lincoln 175 Mig  Lincoln 135 Mig Everlast 250EX TigCentury ac/dc 230 amp stickVictor O/AHypertherm 1000 plasma
Reply:I would sell yours and build a larger one, maybe a 30" or 36" x 60 ". If your working on 48" projects a larger table may make it more appealing and you can design it to fit your projects. As for thickness , the thickest you can afford. If you decide on a new table, buy the top first. You may find a odd size for less money. Like a 38" x 62" instead of a 36" x 60".  You could straighten yours out depending on framing support for top. Remove top and reinstall using nuts and bolts or threaded rod to pull flat to top of frame. No welding of top to frame. I know there are a couple of posts bolting the top down.I found these post  http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...ight=3x5+tablehttp://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...ble&highlight=Last edited by BD1; 12-25-2014 at 07:48 PM.
Reply:I would go 1/2 or 5/8 thick. I think the best type of table to build is like Robert halls bench. But with alot of 5/8 holes. That's what I'll do when I get the spare 1500 or 2000 $. And I would think you would need at least 4 inch over hang if you wanna fit the squat rack on there
Reply:Thanks guys.I was kind of scared of 4" over hang leading to a future warp. If that makes sense. But that does seem to be very common overhang. When I do hit stuff with the BFH I make sure its on the framed section. I also will rent a mag drill and pop some 5/8 holes.DB1 I work in a 1/2 a 2 car garage and space is a premium. If I ever build a barn once I retire a big table is planned.Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:Straighten it out add stiffeners .You can heat and push it flat weld plate stiffeners to keep it .We have a 8'x40'x3"  table at work on 14" columns it does not move.
Reply:Even though I like the DIY stuff as much as anyone else here... if you are considering welding and fabrication as a side bussiness... chances are you could speed up your production a lot if you get a fixture table. Be it an acorn table as pointed above, Strong Hands, Bluco or whatever... It is expensive at first but if you take into account the time needed to put a frame together via square/tape measure and clamps on a regular table versus doing the same thing on a fixture table... it makes sense.Mikel
Reply:Just deal with your sh!tty welding table until you can buy a 5x5 Acorn Welding or Weldsale platen. These are the only brands you should look for and they are about the only brands with their names cast into the cast iron right on the side. Get 1.75" holes, not the 1.5" holes of the really old tables. Stronghand makes great clamps for those 1.75" "acorn" tables. Lots of those tables back east. You should be able to score one for $1500 +-let Search Tempest be your friendhttp://www.searchtempest.com/
Reply:Top thickness and overhang are some what related. The thicker the top, the greater the overhang can be. I'd make the overhang as big as the depth of your most common clamp.Many drill holes in the center, then use those cheap milling machine clamp sets to fixture things in the middle of the table, or take the end off a bar clamp and slide it thru the hole and put the screw end back on. Down side of this is that the wider the table gets, the harder it is to reach under the table and install the clamps.I have an 1 1/2" thick monster table that originally came from an auction. It's a beast but is great for many things. I also have a small 3/4" top that works really well also..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:The table we buillt for my buddy is the way to go for a cheap and versatile table. The top is 6" channel with the flat up. You can get a clamp any where on the table. He is building stuff on this table every day and there is no warpage. Here is a picture of it upside down while building it. You could proabaly scrounge up enough channel at the scrap yard to build a little one like you are needing. Attached Images