Welding table ?s

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Planning my first welding table build for next week, have a couple of questions.  It'll be 5-6'x3', with at least a 1/2" thick top.  2x2 frame and legs, not sure what thickness yet.  I'm planning on building a tool box into one end since it'll sit right near the front of my '71 Bronco, and the welder will roll under the table on the other end for storage.  Not sure how I'll pull that part off yet, need to finalize the design.  Any suggestions?  Also, any tips for getting the frame really flat, given that I don't have anything flatter than my garage floor to work on?
Reply:I could help you get it REALLY flat but you'd have to come to my shop in Phx Az.
Reply:And I'd take you up on it if i were closer than Denver.
Reply:You'll need to produce a flat surface to work on.  Get any true flat surface, like maybe your top, put on your garage floor, shim it up and level it.   Add adjusting bolts to the bottom of the legs.Also, Miller sells bolt on casters for their tables.  You turn a bolt with a portable drill and the caster will lift the table off the stop and onto the wheel for movement.  They're not cheap, but they can be reproduced.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Use wedges to shim your frame components into alignment. Sighting across the frame members or using winding sticks will tell you when the frame is flat. This photo shows their use.
Reply:Thanks, this is really helpful!  For the legs and frame is 1/8" 2x2" big enough, or do I need to be looking at something beefier?  Also, I wasn't planning to weld the top on as most of the reading I've done says that the weight of the top will hold it in place through friction and I didn't want to create warping problems.  Advice?  Finally, I'm considering getting a pair of 1"x4' slots laser cut in the top to allow clamping.  Is this a good way to go or is there a better option?
Reply:Dont waste money on laser cuts, just cut and grind with a torch. Drill holes and connect lines and touch up with a grinder. Just use small tacks to hold in place. We have a 8x40 table 4" thick on a couple of 14" columns. Built all small world trade center pieces on it.Our problem we seem to need the plate and cut up the table.
Reply:Have you considered using the top of your table (shimmed level) as the base for your frame?  If you bolt the top to the frame, then you will have a solid foundation to build up (side down) from.  It worked out really well for my table build project.  Check out the video (click on my signature)  to see more on how I use the top as a level base for building the frame.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=186911GarLincoln Electric, Power MIG 256Hypertherm Powermax 45 Miller Dynasty 280DXSmith O/A torchGenesis of a welding table
Reply:Considering the size and thickness of your table top, the 2 x 2 x 1/8" angles sound a bit light. I would use 3 x 3 x 1/4", and add a couple of cross-braces to support the middle of the top.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps