My inexpensive portable welding table (pics)

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I decided that I needed a welding table, but really didn't know how to proceed in building one. I looked at what some others had built to get ideas. I knew I wanted something portable. My wife went to a garage sale a few years and saw something she just knew I could find a use for, she bought it for $5.00....for a while it was used for clamps in my woodworking endeavors, but was ill suited for the task, too dang clumsy. But it would be the starting point for my new project. As you can see it was already on casters.Since my plans are to get a used Lincoln 225 stick welder I wanted the top of the table high enough to allow the welder to neatly fir underneath, so I cut the rack to the desired lengths and welded the one end to the framework.The only thing I had to buy was some 2" angle iron. I cut the pipes off the top and re-welded them on the lower portion along with the existing two others. My thoughts on this was they would make a nice place to hang C-clamps.A couple of pics of my welds.....now go easy on me, I am far from expert......just a ex-farmer who learned what he could on the farm.I borrowed my dad's welder for this project, since it is the same kind as I want to get I did a mock up of how it will set under the table. I'll need to make a hanger for the cables yet.That is all I got done today. I'll post more pics as the project goes along. I'll need to come up with a 4 foot square top, I'm thinking 3/8" thickness would be good, or more if I can find it.
Reply:I love it when you make something useful out of something useless. Looks like you gotter turned and heading your way. As far as the welds are concerned, the more you weld, the better you'll get. It just takes experience. Stick welding is a great place to start. Good Job.
Reply:Good for you Ashman.  The welds look good, won't be fallin apart any time soon!I like it.Dang $5, I have to start checking out garage sales.
Reply:That looks real good, Ashman!!!! I built my welding table from a base the hospital threw away that was used to weigh patients who can't stand upright. It's really heavy duty and I put four 2 x2  square tube posts on and tied everything together on top the way you did then put a 3/8 top on it, Built shelves underneath w/ recycled grocery store freezer racks to hold odd small pieces of iron, etc. Hang all the C- clamps off the 3/4 sq tube supporting one of the shelves. One little tip for ya, though you've probably already thought of it. Get the top tacked on real good, then turn it upside down. Enjoy all those flat welds!!                                        MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:Great recycle Ashman. I like the clamp holders and the expanded metal bottom. It lets all  the dirt and grinding crap fall through to the floor.It is too bad you live so far away. I have that exact welder, with at least that much cable, that I no longer need. I bought it brand new in the early 70's and don't think I have used it more than 3 or 4 times.  Funny, mine even has the same oak slats for feet (that must be how these were shipped)Mike
Reply:Originally Posted by mikeeIt is too bad you live so far away. I have that exact welder, with at least that much cable, that I no longer need. I bought it brand new in the early 70's and don't think I have used it more than 3 or 4 times.  Funny, mine even has the same oak slats for feet (that must be how these were shipped)Mike
Reply:Originally Posted by Ashman We used that welder a lot and it makes some funny noises for a few minutes and it might be nearing the end of it's use.....then again it may continue on for years.