Miller Arcstation Welding Table. . .Reviews, Comments, Thoughts???

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I need to get or build a welding table for my home shop.  I am in a small one car garage/shop.  I have been considering building my own table around my shop and needs.  However, after much examination of the Miller ArcStation table, it would suit my size needs quite well.I was looking for a table to be approximately 5-5.5' long and 30-36" deep.  I would like to build the table for reasons of personal design, pride and satisfaction.  However, I have let that take me down the road of several building projects in the past.  While I have a very fine, well built and over-engineered product in the end, I typically wind up spending more than I would have by purchasing something pre-manufactured.I have searched on here for reviews or opinions from others that my have shelled out the cash for the new, shiny blue table. . . haven't found much.  I have also watched most or all of the available video reviews on youtube and other sites.  The problem is, they all tend to be hosted by a Miller rep.  Can't imagine any of them were truly unbiased.I need a table that I can also use as a workbench for woodworking, even if it means, I have an extra wood block top that I place on top of it to suit that need.OK, let me have.  Reviews, opinions, thoughts, suggestions??  Biased, unbiased or convoluted.  I want to know what you think of that table.  (oh, I guess I should say, I am looking at the 60sx table)
Reply:The way to get what you want is build it yourself. Beats overpaying for a fancy table and then modding it later, and you can do the mods as you go!I need a table that I can also use as a workbench for woodworking, even if it means, I have an extra wood block top that I place on top of it to suit that need.
Reply:My 6'x32" table you see buried in the background cost me $6 at a local auction.
Reply:I paid a buddy of mine who salvages steel/copper/aluminum to find me a table.  He found a 3'x3'x3/8" thick table for $40.  It has served my needs very well, and will for the foreseeable future.A little searching on Craigslist will save you a bunch of money over what you're going to spend on the arc station.  The only reason I see to buy one is if you're welding or working in a retail store front kind of environment.  Then the nice powder coated, finished look might bring some value.Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:A welder who is considering NOT building a welding table??? Blasphemy.The benefits you'll gain from building your own table far outweigh any costs it may add to a manufactured table. Design, purchasing (or scrounging), fitting, fabrication, etc. You'll learn a lot that will help with future projects. And being a home shop means you WANT to make things right?I'm sure the Miller tables are top shelf. But the only place I can really see them is a commercial shop where you'd have to pay top wages for one of the guys to build one and take them off a paying job. Build it heavy or light, mild or wild, paint in YOUR colors. But yes, do build it. If you really want to buy one look at a Blueco. AlA man is judged by what's between his legs...always ride a good horseMiller DialArc HFLincoln Classic 300DThermal Arc 181iPowermax 45Scotchman Ironworker(2) BridgeportsOkomota Surface GrinderAutoCAD 2010
Reply:Thanks for the push guys.  I really do want to build my own but keep looking a the nice blue powder coat finish (even though I don't own a single piece of Miller equipment) and think oh, its done already.  Tighten some bolts and away we go.I will build the table.  I am not good on the scrap front.  I don't have any metal scrap around.  Wood scrap galore as that has been my mainstay in the project area.  I am slowly trying to move into the metal working world.After seeing farmall's response last night, the "vision" came to mind.  I will build a 5.5' long x 36" deep x 38.5" tall.  (I am above average height and will build to suit my table saw and chop saw station table heights.Now the trick is to figure out how to make a "lift" for the Southbend 9" lathe I picked up from Craigslist today!!!!  Now that, I got a seriously good deal on.  When it is not in use, I would like to store it under the table.Most of the tables I have seen on Craigslist are home built designs that don't fit my needs and the prices are in the $400-450 range.  They are advertising as basically selling them for scrap prices.  For that kind of money on a home built table, I would much prefer to spend the money on something I build.Well, I will keep you guys posted on the design and build of the table.Thanks again.
Reply:Do you want to store that lathe under a welding/work table. Better find a good cover.Millermatic 252millermatic 175miller 300 Thunderboltlincoln ranger 250smith torcheslots of bfh'sIf it dont fit get a bigger hammer
Reply:More tools than space at the moment.  For now, considering keeping it under the table when not in use.  However, we are building new shop space at work and I am considering setting it up there as the shop is only 15 minutes from my house.Will give some serious thought to a cover as well.  Shouldn't be too hard since I know how to sew.
Reply:Even small lathes are heavy and hard to maneuver. I would look for a more permanent spot for the lathe. Lathes also don't like to be moved around, they like to be set up, bolted down, and left there.What size is the shop your working out of? Is it messy or clean? There is lots of room to be had in messy shops. Sometimes it just takes a little looking over and planning out where to put stuff to make some room or clean up a shop.
Reply:like there trailers,carts and some of there accessoriesthere way over priced. over $700.00 for this arcstationis crazy. for that kind of money you can make one hell of a table Attached Images
Reply:Also buried in the background of the photo of VTP's shop... a common element also found in my 'shop'. Yep... the empty plastic container of Folger's Coffee!   A Storage Solution!! Rick V 1 Airco Heliwelder 3A/DDR3 CTC 70/90 amp Stick/Tig Inverters in Parallel1 Lincoln MIG PAK 151 Oxy-Acet
Reply:Fancy blue paint is fine till you burn it up then youll be t'd off everytime you look at it. Build your own take the extra 500 and buy some paint and beer or just beer. Or make a second for the lathe.Millermatic 252millermatic 175miller 300 Thunderboltlincoln ranger 250smith torcheslots of bfh'sIf it dont fit get a bigger hammer
Reply:Originally Posted by Rick VAlso buried in the background of the photo of VTP's shop... a common element also found in my 'shop'. Yep... the empty plastic container of Folger's Coffee!   A Storage Solution!!