welding table from scrap

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so after I set the wooden work bench on fire for the fifth time at work, the bossman said I could build a welding table. only thing is I have to use what we have laying around. he was expecting a quick throw together deal......anyway heres some picks of what I have to work with and the project as it progresses.
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Reply:this is our "welder" a 125 amp ac only, no arc force having pos that looses the arc everytime it misfires.I honestly hate this machine! but work with what you got....
Reply:so because the plate is 1/4 inch and not quite big enough for what we need, I decided to use this 3x5x1/4 angle to gain ten inches and the c channel is to stiffen it up some. it all fits good on the "work bench" which is just a piece of plywood on saw horeses.....but that all changes when I get it on the concrete.
Reply:I cut the plate to have a 1/4 inch gap on all sides between it and the frame. plan is to use a backing plate and do a code quality weld.the gap is not perfect, but give me a break, I cut it freehand with a torch
Reply:got her all put together and the backer (1 inch flat stock) tacked on.
Reply:heres a close up of one of the 7018 ac welds. it was a pita to get an "ok" weld. dont have much 7018 so most of the welds will be with 6011. so much for "code quality"
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Reply:and this is about how far I got yesterday. will post some more pics as work progresses. looks like im gonna use all 50 lbs of 6011 for this joint.
Reply:If it is pretty flat I wouldn't weld the seams, it could warp it.www.georgesplasmacuttershop.comPlasma Cutter and Welder Sales and Repairs--Ebay storeTec.Mo. Dealer Consumables for the PT and IPT torch's
Reply:With what you have to work with, I think you did a great job.  Thanks for posting photos, I learn from each project.
Reply:Originally Posted by mechanic416If it is pretty flat I wouldn't weld the seams, it could warp it.
Reply:You are an over qualified welder populating an underpaying shop, using junk equipment and scrap materials.My hat is off to you.Your underpowered A/C beads beat my D/C beads...Danged it
Reply:Originally Posted by WenValleyWith what you have to work with, I think you did a great job.  Thanks for posting photos, I learn from each project.
Reply:Originally Posted by pigeonpoopYou are an over qualified welder populating an underpaying shop, using junk equipment and scrap materials.My hat is off to you.Your underpowered A/C beads beat my D/C beads...Danged it
Reply:Originally Posted by jamesyarbroughand this is about how far I got yesterday. will post some more pics as work progresses. looks like im gonna use all 50 lbs of 6011 for this joint.
Reply:l Originally Posted by docwelderthat bench top isn't going to be flat for long if you over weld it so i hope you were joking. save some of that 50 lbs of rod for a paying job.
Reply:Unless you have a big press to straighten it when your done, it will look like the waves at the ocean. Leave it be and be happy you have a welding table now.And great job for what you have to work with.www.georgesplasmacuttershop.comPlasma Cutter and Welder Sales and Repairs--Ebay storeTec.Mo. Dealer Consumables for the PT and IPT torch's
Reply:idk maybe......I remember in school when I was praticing for my structural certs I used 1/4 inch plate.   if I let it cool down in between passes I found that thetest piece didnt warp up as bad.  Im hoping that the channel and angle iron will keep everything pretty straight if I manage my heat input.  its worked for me so far, all the way to one inch plate. I just let it get cool to the touch before laying another pass. on my unlimited thickness tess with 1 inch I made 40 passes letting it cool between each pass. took all day, but it didnt warp up too bad and I passed. this is supposedly what weldors do every day in the ship field, although they use thicker plate, so im kinda confident it will be ok......but not completely now so now I have to weld it all the way out to see what happens. otherwise I will never know.so we will see what happens! now im kinda looking forward to it.  the pics wont lie and I will post them as soon as the joint is done.
Reply:a 120 inch 3 pass weld on 1/4 plate will turn that bench top into a good imitation of a banana. post the pics when you're done?i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:ill post them banana pics all over this bitch. hey if it does bow up, just means the boss is gonna have to let me order some 3/4 plate for a new table top!! its a win win
Reply:its a BANANA boat bonanza!!Last edited by jamesyarbrough; 01-12-2014 at 11:14 AM.
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Reply:didnt even finish the second pass with backstepping, alternating sides and letting it cool in between passes.epic fail!  gonna try to throw some beads on the backing plates and see if heat on the other side will pull it back but I doubt it will help.Originally Posted by jamesyarbroughlits not over welding it.  its a standard butt joint with backer, just not beveled. trick is to manage heat input.  I dont know exactly how much rod its goin to take but its 3 passes and about 120 inches.  i get paid by the hour
Reply:I appreciate it. seems like I always have to learn things the hard way, but once I do I got it!welding the back didnt do anything. it may have made it worse. lolim gonna finish it out, take it back to the shop and set a 1000 lb electric motor on it for a few days.
Reply:Originally Posted by jamesyarbroughI appreciate it. seems like I always have to learn things the hard way, but once I do I got it!welding the back didnt do anything. it may have made it worse. lolim gonna finish it out, take it back to the shop and set a 1000 lb electric motor on it for a few days.
Reply:your probably right on that one......again.but I got alot of time in it and only a couple welds left. oh bossman might get a little pissy if I dont even try to bring it back. im gonna run a couple more beads and take it back to the shop. after a few days if it aint straight I will start over.
Reply:I would build a new bench that's nice and flat for welding and save the warped one for bench top tools like bench grinders,vises,chop saws,etc. I give high amounts of respect for the resourcefulness.Lincoln pro core 125 14''chop saw7 inch grinder,2-4.5 inch grinders,electric die grinder.Half inch drillAnd alot of hand tools
Reply:Would of could of now but should have left that gap and made it wide enoguh to put clamps in.  Oh well. This may help you out. I found it a few days ago. Sticky worthy link IMO. http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/steel/Idealarc 250AC 225SVictor OA-older made in USA stuff.And a crap ton of other stuff.
Reply:a butt load of heat and a few hundred pounds didnt do squat. time to start from scratch. project scrappedlesson learned. seems like I learn something on every project
Reply:Originally Posted by kaldWould of could of now but should have left that gap and made it wide enoguh to put clamps in.  Oh well. This may help you out. I found it a few days ago. Sticky worthy link IMO. http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/steel/