Small welding table...

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Hey guys-I'm still a newb, but learning.I've been looking for a small welding table but think I came across something I might could use.Came across a fold up table the other day at my parents house.I'm thinking about removing the wooden top and replacing it with a steel sheet.I'm currently trying to figure out the best method to secure the top to the legs.I'd rather not have any screws showing, so I'm thinking about welding some nuts to the bottom and then running a short bolt through the mounting holes and into the nuts.I guess I could drill through the sheet and counter sink the holes and screw it down that way way.Any suggestions?
Reply:This may be dumb, but why not just weld it?
Reply:cut the heads off 4 bolts, weld the headless bolts to the bottom of the steel sheet near the corners, cut corresponding holes in the top of the foldup table, and hook it up with nuts and washers..if you want to lose the wooden top, do so and bolt through the angle ..Last edited by weldbead; 11-28-2012 at 04:51 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by joshuabardwellthis may be dumb, but why not just weld it?
Reply:I think the brackets are aluminum.
Reply:Originally Posted by BellyUpFishI think the brackets are aluminum.
Reply:Originally Posted by LawsonWeldingLLCThe rust disagrees.
Reply:If it were me, my main reason for not welding it would be that the metal appears to be relatively thin. Hard to tell scale, but I'd be surprised if it was even 1/8". All I have is a stick machine, so it would be burn-through city trying to weld a top on. If the OP has a small MIG, it's another story though.
Reply:If you try to weld nuts onto the sheet, be aware that the heat may deform them and prevent them from taking bolts. One way to avoid this is to use a lower-heat welding process like TIG or MIG. If you're like me, though, all you have is stick. Another way is to use weld-on nuts, which have a larger flat base, designed to be welded on. A third way is to use standard nuts, but thread a bolt into them and leave it there until the nut cools off. The presence of the bolt helps keep the nut from deforming. Whatever you do, use as little heat as you can while still getting acceptable penetration.If you are going to weld the nut on with a bolt through it, don't clamp the ground clamp to the bolt, because the air gap between the bolt threads and the nut threads will create arcs that weld the bolt into the nut.
Reply:What thickness of plate are you planning on putting on this table? If your 1/4" or so... you could easily use counter sunk screws that would be flush with the surface. You could also drill and tap the plate and bolt it down from the bottom and then grind the bolts flush on the top. Personally I'd weld it. You can do it with your stick machine... get some small rod (3/32). Strike the arc on the plate and wash into the bracket. A couple of 1" beads would be all it would take.
Reply:Originally Posted by joshuabardwell <<snip....If you are going to weld the nut on with a bolt through it, don't clamp the ground clamp to the bolt, because the air gap between the bolt threads and the nut threads will create arcs that weld the bolt into the nut.
Reply:Originally Posted by shortfuseVery interesting....never thought about that! Will have to remember that trick!!
Reply:Originally Posted by LawsonWeldingLLCThe rust disagrees.