Lighter wt welding table, seeking knowledge

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You guys are amazing and I hope someday I can promote from welding kindergarten so I ask this dumb question:I am making a welding table that I can move around somewhat easily, since my shop space is really limited and its an attached garage where we also park 2 cars. My new table will be 3 or 4 x 2" with 1.25" sq 1/8 tube legs and 2" angle top frame with 1/4" plate top.Should I drill and countersink machine screws to mount the top or just weld the underside to the frame? I'm concerned that I might get some warpage heat distortion of the top as its only 1/4 and I want a nice flat top. Someday I will have a heavier table but I'm not welding big stuff yet. Still learning to stick weld with my AC/dc miller thunderbolt.I don't want to spend a lot of time drilling, (maybe tapping since the angle iron forms an overhang for clamping), and countersinking, if I can just tack the top to the frame.Thanks fellas.Actually I shouldn't assume fellas, not to be sexist. my daughter is a professional welder. I taught her auto mechanics and carpentry but she learned welding after going out on her own.
Reply:id do tack welds under the table it will be less work and do just fine
Reply:Thanks. That should have been 2 feet x 3 feet top, not 2".
Reply:I'm another new guy with the same situation.  This might be lighter design than what you are looking for but it works for me.  If you are making it a bit bigger I'd leave about 3 inches overhang all around for clamping.The top has small square nubs that drop into the legs that lock the table open and keep the top in place.  There's a piece of the tubing that bolts to the bottom of the plate to span the legs on the folded side. Attached Images
Reply:Sand man red, that's a great idea! I have my material cut but haven't started yet. I have space but everything has to be portable for now. I could weld a solid base frame and still have a removable top like yours. I have a barn and outbuildings but I only have 50amp power supply in the attached garage. I prefer to work out in front because all the grinding dirt and stuff gets tracked into the house and I'm already in trouble with the wife. She just got done canning 48 quarts of tomatoes and she said she's gonna lock me out if she sees me bringing more produce in. I have 2000sq ft of garden and 300 sq ft of greenhouse. I'm going to have to start selling produce to support my welding or pay a divorce attorney.
Reply:Build the frame then lay it on the plate and trace it out then drill several 1/2" or bigger holes then flip base over set top on it and plug weld it to base to minimize warpage.Millermatic 200Hobart Handler 120Victor O/A & Ramco BandsawLincoln 225 ACSnapOn AD HoodMiller XMT304/22AHypertherm Powermax 1650 G3Lincoln Idealarc DC600 w/Extreme 12 VSMiller Digital Elite "Joker"
Reply:Put some heavy castors on the two legs on one end. Makes it easier to move around. Pick one end up, wheel it around."The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:Originally Posted by SandyPut some heavy castors on the two legs on one end. Makes it easier to move around. Pick one end up, wheel it around.
Reply:I just set a 3/8" plate on top of an empty oil drum. Not good for big stuff but I don't do big stuffXMT304 (school)SP125+ (home)HF 4x6 BandsawGood judgement comes from experience and much of that comes from bad judgement.
Reply:Everything in my shop (24x30) has to move, is ether on wheels or is portable. All but my 50 ton press. My welding table hangs on the side of my A frame. Attached Images
Reply:I would say drill and tap. That's what I did in my latest tables and I didn't get any warpage. But I did use thicker tops so I tapped the top itself and drove the bolts from bottom (through the frame) to top.Mikel
Reply:I built the frame and tacked the top with no warping. I used 3/32" 6013. I'm going to use it some before I add clamp and stinger hangers and maybe a detachable vice mount. I have it at the right height without casters and I can move it without too much effort. I have casters laying around here somewhere and if I want to add them later, I can shorten the legs. I'm going to paint the frame at some point. You folks have some great ideas and I'm not above stealing some of them for future projects. Thanks for your help!My welding is getting better but I still suck too much to post closeup pics.If I was a better welder, I wouldn't be half the grinder!
Reply:a few vertical strips underneath can take allmost all the flex out of a light table and will keep it from warping.  Like this, but the more the merrier.  http://sergisonmachine.net/images/table_underside.jpgand if you have it against a wall at least sometimes, turnbuckles pulling it down and into the wall diagonally will secure it quite well for yanking around on things in a vise.  and come apart without tools to move it.  you can see one just behind the press.http://sergisonmachine.net/images/shop-1.jpgLast edited by dsergison; 09-04-2013 at 09:50 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by Wheelman 4Everything in my shop (24x30) has to move, is ether on wheels or is portable. All but my 50 ton press. My welding table hangs on the side of my A frame.