First welding project - welding/work table

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Like with most/all of my machining projects, I start with a drawing of what I want:I then start to clean up the steel:And cut it to length:Double check cut pieces:Remove mill scale and taper the ends:
Reply:Use the left-over pieces to practice and find appropriate settings on my MIG200 welder:Now for real.  Position, clamp, align, verify, and then tack weld.  The welds on the bottom will have to be ground off for the caster wheels:First set out of the two:Once I have both sets, then I start with the connecting arms (using angle iron as guide here):After all is tacked in place, I welded, and then ground off the base/bottom portion.  Although not pretty, the good news is that the welds are solid, with very good penetration:
Reply:Base of table is ready:As my mentor recommended, I ground off the plating on the caster wheels, and then cut 1/4" plates to weld to the wheel's base.  I am marking here where to cut and where to remove the mill scale:And then weld in place through the hole:Then tack and weld to the base:And then weld on the inside - this one was a continuous pass end to end:Then position the base on the table top, to mark where to remove the mill scale:
Reply:Once back indoors, I realign everything so that I can tack weld in place:Then start welding:Done for now:Actually, not done - already planning on my first "mod":Will
Reply:It took a LONG time, but I removed the mill scale from the top, including rust, etc..:And I added the first of 2-3 shelves I want to have in this work table:This is one of the reasons I left that 3/4" gap in between the two pieces for the top:Used this to smooth and round the edges of wood shelf:Clamps go on this side:Welding stuff:And roll the table out of the way (next to my milling machine) when not in use:Part of that square steel you see standing on the back (against the garage door) will be for the new table I will be building for my 4x6 metal bandsaw.Wil
Reply:Hi, Wil.Looks like a good job to me. Good plan, cleanup, and prep work. Welds are like mine, could be better.You will enjoy having a good welding table to work on.There are some good plans on the forum for tables for your bandsaw, when you are ready to start.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:Not bad. There are a few things I'd have done a bit different, like not welding on the wheels so if you ever have an issue, they are easier to replace, but overall not bad at all.You might think about adding a piece of receiver tube under the table if you can't work with the existing tube so you can insert and remove the vise and grinder easily and quickly without clamps. You can find quite a few examples of guys doing that here if you look a bit at table threads.Plate for the bandsaw looks like overkill if it's as thick as your top as it appears in the photo. You can get away with much thinner steel for that, say 14 ga or even expanded mesh. Plenty of good suggestions for new bandsaw carts here as well..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:Ok, soapstone not sharp, BEAUTIFUL METABO, unexperienced, [Will trade you one that has experience EVEN UP  ! ]  That will work. I don't think you needed all that weld on the top and like stated on bolting the casters .   Did you get ALL those tools for CHRISTMAS ??   WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY to PRETTY. I don't know where you are but harbor freight has the circular saw clamp guides on sale .Here's the 24'' one.http://www.harborfreight.com/24-inch...ide-66126.html    I have the 36'' and 48''. I could not get the HF site to open on those. Use a 25 % off coupon and save . HF also has 18 '' long receiver too.
Reply:Should of added support to the underside of your top going the long way too.Millermatic 211Dewalt 14" ChopsawDewalt 4 1/2" GrinderCraftsman
Reply:Very Nice work and great pics to boot!American by birth Southern by the Grace of God
Reply:Thank you guys.  Still much to learn, but I am already using the table for welding and not welding projects I have been working on the stand/base for my metal bandsaw, but I am not quite done yet (still working on how to mount the VFD for the 3-phase motor I am using as replacement).  I will post pictures once complete.Will
Reply:Nice work, and thanks for taking time to document each step with pics and comments.You will discover you can buy ready to weld on caster plates for about $2.50 each from guys like caster city that have caster mounting bolt holes already drilled to accept standard sized casters....I've purchased them by the dozen in my efforts to get EVERYTHING in my little shop on wheels so they are easily moved when needed/not needed.http://www.casterspecialists.com/bro...ing-plate.htmlThis is just one example...they come in several standard caster mounting sizes and use standard caster bolt patterns All of them I ever purchased were 1/4" thick plate steel and saved me lots of time and effort.Last edited by pigeonpoop; 01-02-2014 at 09:18 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by pigeonpoopNice work, and thanks for taking time to document each step with pics and comments.You will discover you can buy ready to weld on caster plates for about $2.50 each from guys like caster city that have caster mounting bolt holes already drilled to accept standard sized casters....I've purchased them by the dozen in my efforts to get EVERYTHING in my little shop on wheels so they are easily moved when needed/not needed.http://www.casterspecialists.com/bro...ing-plate.htmlThis is just one example...they come in several standard caster mounting sizes and use standard caster bolt patterns All of them I ever purchased were 1/4" thick plate steel and saved me lots of time and effort.
Reply:you are welcome...please don't ignore my compliments on your skills. You managed to keep it all square level and plumb.....regardless if it fits everyone's idea of their perfect welding table, it accomplishes exactly what you set out to do for you.
Reply:Thank you.  The more time I spend welding, the more the things I was taught in the welding class make sense.  But in class, since it was an introductory course, it was like trying to drink from a fire hose - way too much information is coming with no chance to assimilate it all.  But the instructor did spend a lot of time on the concept of "watching the puddle", and that has helped as I get more practice with my MIG welder.  I also have been reading here in this forum for a couple of weeks, and learning from various threads.  The thread here in this forum "MIG like TIG" and Paul's (ZTFab) advice has also helped lately, as I have slowed down, and gotten more comfortable, which is making welding easier and better.  I also started doing 45 degree welds as I get more adventurous:
Reply:Originally Posted by wquilesThank you.  The more time I spend welding, the more the things I was taught in the welding class make sense.  But in class, since it was an introductory course, it was like trying to drink from a fire hose - way too much information is coming with no chance to assimilate it all.  But the instructor did spend a lot of time on the concept of "watching the puddle", and that has helped as I get more practice with my MIG welder.  I also have been reading here in this forum for a couple of weeks, and learning from various threads.  The thread here in this forum "MIG like TIG" and Paul's (ZTFab) advice has also helped lately, as I have slowed down, and gotten more comfortable, which is making welding easier and better.  I also started doing 45 degree welds as I get more adventurous:
Reply:Great job, but there is no need to tapper the ends for inside corner welds. Just so you don't loose time doing it the next time you need to put something together.