New WeldingTable

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Well, I finally decided to build a better welding table.  I figured, "Go big or go home!"  It's definitely not very portable.   It's constructed primarily of heavy 8"x2" channel, which I cut with the O/A torch and cleaned up with an angle grinder.I spent a good bit of time getting the fit up on the corners right and getting everything square.  My shop floor has a few dips in it, so I shored it up with 1" boards to get it level.  I didn't use any clamps... it was just a tedious process of tacking, adjusting, and tacking, until I got it right.I welded the corners of the rectangular frame with the MIG and double checked that it had stayed square before I proceeded.  So far, so good.From here on out, I only used the MIG for tacking.  I decided to stick weld everything else.Next post...Work HARDER, not smarter! ------------------------ Miller Bobcat 250Millermatic 251Lincoln Precision TIG 185Hypertherm PM 600Hobart 135 HandlerOxweld 400 FlameMaster
Reply:I cut the corner gussets from 1/4" plate, using the drag tip on my plasma cutter and a straight edge.I fit everything up, squaring and tacking everything in place before doing any final welding, in order to minimize distortion.Final welding was done with E6013.  I repositioned it with my front end loader in order to do nearly all the welds in the flat position.Next post...Work HARDER, not smarter! ------------------------ Miller Bobcat 250Millermatic 251Lincoln Precision TIG 185Hypertherm PM 600Hobart 135 HandlerOxweld 400 FlameMaster
Reply:Dude, what kind of plate do you have in mind for that thing.  It looks uber-strong.Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:More welds...It's coming together...A 4'X8' sheet of 3/4" plate weighs around 1000 lbs!  It was one of those days I was happy to have a tractor. This is as far as I've gotten.  The top is just sitting on it right now, I still need to do some final tweaking to get it as close to centered as possible.  It's a bear to to move!  Everything turned out pretty square, and it sits nice and level... so I'm happy with it so far.  If I had it to do over again though, I would probably leave at least a 2 inch overhang, instead of the 1inch that I ended up with.  It'll work though.I plan on putting some 1/4" plate feet on it. I've also thought about adding some receivers for mounting tools, maybe some drawers, etc.When I get it finished and throw a coat of paint on it, I'll post some more pics of the finished product.Thanks for looking... and your comments and suggestions are welcome, good or bad.  I'm not thin skinned...Work HARDER, not smarter! ------------------------ Miller Bobcat 250Millermatic 251Lincoln Precision TIG 185Hypertherm PM 600Hobart 135 HandlerOxweld 400 FlameMaster
Reply:That's a neat table.  Any plans for adding storage underneath?A few of my toys !LinuxMintManjaroMiller Roughneck 2E Lincoln WeldPak 100HTP MTS 160 Chicago Electric 80amp Inverter   Victor O/A
Reply:Geezus H Ka-rist!!!!!!! That thing is beefy.Outstanding job on the welding.http://all-a-cart.comWelding Cart Kits and accessories
Reply:Originally Posted by ZTFabGeezus H Ka-rist!!!!!!! That thing is beefy.Outstanding job on the welding.
Reply:I just got my 2nd hernia ever just looking at that thing!  I don't think I would want to tackle lifting or moving that thing around lol That table looks excellent by the way!Drink a Guinness Draught....Millermatic 140Do you still rememberDecember's foggy freeze --when the ice thatclings on to your beard isscreaming agony.
Reply:Attachment 39104Last edited by denrep; 10-19-2010 at 11:41 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by ZTFabGeezus H Ka-rist!!!!!!! That thing is beefy.Outstanding job on the welding.
Reply:Super table build Leadhead.What did that 3/4" plate cost you?  Cutting charge?MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Nice work, and sturdy table.I do have a question though...What is your reasoning for tacking it with a mig, and doing your final welding with a stick?  That looks like a 252 Miller in the pic, and it should weld up to 1/2" in a single pass.
Reply:Thanks everyone for the comments, I appreciate it.Duane,  I took it in the shorts on the plate... 650 bucks!  I priced it at several places around Savannah though, and they were all within a couple dollars.  They wanted about 900 for 1"!!!!The rest of the steel was free though, so it could have been worse.Last edited by Leadhead1911; 09-18-2009 at 10:42 PM.Work HARDER, not smarter! ------------------------ Miller Bobcat 250Millermatic 251Lincoln Precision TIG 185Hypertherm PM 600Hobart 135 HandlerOxweld 400 FlameMaster
Reply:Originally Posted by PookieNice work, and sturdy table.I do have a question though...What is your reasoning for tacking it with a mig, and doing your final welding with a stick?  That looks like a 252 Miller in the pic, and it should weld up to 1/2" in a single pass.
Reply:what did your cost look like for the table. that sheet of 3/4" had to have put you back a bit.I break things for a living...
Reply:Very Nice!
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55Super table build Leadhead.What did that 3/4" plate cost you?  Cutting charge?
Reply:Since you now have a heavy enough table that it won't move, I got a suggestion....Insert 2" receiver tubes into the channel in several places.  They could come in handy for mounting table extensions, a vise, tube bender, an extention just for cutting on, or even a cherry picker like what would be mounted to a truck bed for loading stuff onto the table.Just a thought...My name's not Jim....
Reply:Outstanding, you da man! I pay $0.59/lb for drops, rems, cutoffs, for small tubing, and $0.79/lb for thicker stuff so at $650 in my area that would be a good deal.  Makes me want to go out and build maybe a 3'X4' table.  Let's see it all pretty'd up with with a coat of paint.
Reply:3/4 inch. now you can definitly build something sqare on that, won't have to worry about dips in the floor. all you need now is train wheels and a train to pull it around the shop. lol   When I was in school we built a table like that we use the same size c channel, but only 1/2 plate but it was 4 by 8 and had a second shelf underneath for all the small pieces of t joint material.
Reply:Leadhead1911, Don't go too crazy welding the top on, we may be desperate for a hunk of plate someday. In Chicago, 5'x10' x 1" plate, -and some even larger- can be seen lying in the streets.Sometimes the plate is left for months. Must be too heavy to steal. That, or it's collecting "Daley" rent. Good Luck
Reply:Originally Posted by Boostinjdm....Insert 2" receiver tubes into the channel in several places.  They could come in handy for mounting table extensions, a vise, tube bender, an extention just for cutting on, or even a cherry picker like what would be mounted to a truck bed for loading stuff onto the table.Just a thought...
Reply:Originally Posted by Leadhead1911No particular reason, other than I just wanted to brush up on my stick welding. The MIG would have done the job quicker and easier... Sometimes it's not about the destination, it's about the journey.  I guess my signature line probably sums it up.
Reply:Denrep,  I plan on tacking the plate from underneath, just enough to hold it tight to the frame and keep it from shifting.  Although, the earth's gravitational pull seems to be doing a pretty good job of holding it in place right now.:200mphbusa,Thanks, I don't feel like I got raped so bad on the plate now.  It's always nice to hear that someone has it worse than you do.fishburn123,I'm looking forward to having a flat place to work on bigger stuff.  In the past, if it was "bigger than a breadbox," it ended up on the floor.  Instead of the train wheels, I plan to move it with my front end loader. Boostinjdm,I'm planning on adding some sort of a receiver system... just haven't decided exactly how I'm going to go about it yet.  I'm thinkin' some drawers and shelves too... so many possibilities.  I'm still shopping for ideas, so if you have ideas for tools, mounts, slideouts, etc. I'd like to see themWork HARDER, not smarter! ------------------------ Miller Bobcat 250Millermatic 251Lincoln Precision TIG 185Hypertherm PM 600Hobart 135 HandlerOxweld 400 FlameMaster
Reply:Not trying to hi jack here but I was wandering if you had any close ups of you tig welder cart. I have a similar Lincoln tig welder that I wanted to build a cart for. What material sizes did you use. Is there anything you would do different if you had to build another one.ThanksI agree with all the previous posts, Awesome job !! Makes me want to go get mine re done. But hey I pulled mine out of the scrap yard as is. I had a table made from 3/4" 16 ft long. I will tell you something. There is nothing you can't do on that table. heat,  beat, anything.That is a really nice fab job. You will regret the 1" over hang though. You will end up wanting at least 3 - 4 inches. Now you need a bunch of those tach down clamps, Most excellent JOB.Lincoln Ranger 8                        Lincoln 175                          Drill pressLincoln 225 mig                            Plasma                              8 ft brake        52" jump shear
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmSince you now have a heavy enough table that it won't move, I got a suggestion....Insert 2" receiver tubes into the channel in several places.  They could come in handy for mounting table extensions, a vise, tube bender, an extention just for cutting on, or even a cherry picker like what would be mounted to a truck bed for loading stuff onto the table.Just a thought...
Reply:Originally Posted by 59halfstepAnother thought, one shop I was at had a bench with with a heavy 4 inch angle welded to the front of the bench.  It was welded on edge in a V position.  Worked great for setting round stock in, clamping stock to weld, and at times a drain route for spilled oils on the bench.  I loved it and add one to any bench I build.
Reply:Originally Posted by 10speednot trying to hi jack here but i was wandering if you had any close ups of you tig welder cart. I have a similar lincoln tig welder that i wanted to build a cart for. What material sizes did you use. Is there anything you would do different if you had to build another one.Thanks
Reply:Here's a couple pics of the table.  I got it finished up and painted this weekend.  I figured I'd get it to where I could use it, and I'll add accessories and doo-dads as I go.  The paint is Rustoleum Rusty Metal Primer, topped with Rustoleum Professional Safety Blue.Work HARDER, not smarter! ------------------------ Miller Bobcat 250Millermatic 251Lincoln Precision TIG 185Hypertherm PM 600Hobart 135 HandlerOxweld 400 FlameMaster
Reply:Now you're gonna have to get a new welder to match your table.  Red and Blue don't get along.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmNow you're gonna have to get a new welder to match your table.  Red and Blue don't get along.
Reply:Originally Posted by Leadhead1911A 4'X8' sheet of 3/4" plate weighs around 1000 lbs!  It was one of those days I was happy to have a tractor.
Reply:Nice table, out of interest have you checked how flat the plate is.
Reply:Originally Posted by Shox DrNice table, out of interest have you checked how flat the plate is.
Reply:Originally Posted by Mondo1,000 lbs tabletop!!!  I'll bet you were happy to have the cabbage for it, too!I can only dream of having a table like that, and a shop that needs it too!As a hobbyist with a desk job I am hungry for steel for my projects.  I am considering standing on a street corner on Sunday mornings with a begger's sign:  Will work for metal.- Mondo
Reply:I was thinking about doing something similar with my SW275 but raise the welder up higher to allow for a cooler and storage and make a two tank carrier in back and make a similar handle/holder. But with going taller I am also considering making it about 6 inches wider and using larger swivel casters in front. Thanks for the pics.
Reply:Originally Posted by Leadhead1911I feel very fortunate to "have the cabbage" to have a shop and the tools to do the things I enjoy.  I too have an office job now... that supports my hobby.  I guess you could call it a "hobby," but it's more like an expensive crack habit.  The wife doesn't complain though.  When she looks out the back window and sees that beautiful blue light coming from the shop, at least she knows I'm not out running around gettin' into trouble somewhere.
Reply:Wow, that is a FULL size table!
Reply:I really like it, plenty of room, but your right having a 2" overhang might be better for clamping and such.
Reply:Dude I thought mine was heavy duty!  That is one seriously nice welding table!Lincoln Pro Mig 180Everlast PowerARC 200
Reply:As far as the 1 inch overhang...I suppose you can attach some flat bar and tell all "it was designed that way dummy".Just a thought.Miller thunderbolt 250Decastar 135ERecovering tool-o-holic ESAB OAI have been interested or involved in Electrical, Fire Alarm, Auto, Marine, Welding, Electronics ETC to name a just a few. So YES you can own too many tools.
Reply:Hey guys, that table was fabricated over 1.5 years ago.  If it didn't fit the OP's needs, I'm betting he took care of it a long time ago.
Reply:If there is ever a tornado, I'd want to be under that table. Think you could have built it any stronger (LOL)..... Nice work. Qualified & experienced at welding scrap metal