How are you guys making welding tables at home getting them near flat?

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I have this beat up crooked, warped table I got for free. It makes it a real pain to make stuff near perfectly flat.I want to build a new nicer, bigger, flatter table, but can't see how I can get it flat. Garage floor isn't level, my table isn't level. how are you all doing it?
Reply:Pics?Maybe make adjustable feet and a level to get the table level.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by GamblePics?Maybe make adjustable feet and a level to get the table level.
Reply:#1: good material. It's hard to fix junk. Start with good material that's not all bent up or needs to be spliced in 6 different spots. Keep in mind thicker material tends to bend less than thinner material given the same size welds. Also taller material resists bending better than shorter materials.#2: good fit up. It's hard to keep things flat if your pieces aren't all the same and the joints are super wide. Also some joints tend to pull more than others. Example a coped joint tends to pull out of square less than a miter joint.#3: tack everything in place and keep checking to see if it's flat and square.#4: Don't over weld and think about the order in which you weld things up. Move around, keep all your welds as small as possible and keep checking as you go. If things start to get out, stop and fix the issue. Don't wait until you are 100% welded up to find in step 4 things started to go south... Keep in mind you probably don't need 1/2" fillets even if you are using 1/2" stock. The smaller the welds, the less heat, and the less warpage.#5 If need be, plan on shimming, clamping as needed to flatten the top. Look at where the worst areas are and form a plan of attack. Is it easier to have the top sheet bend up and work from one side to the other with clamps to flatten it, or is it better to shim the center and clamp the edges down? If there's a low spot maybe drive in a few shims to raise that area. A good straight edge and some patience will pay off..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by SampleI have this beat up crooked, warped table I got for free. It makes it a real pain to make stuff near perfectly flat.I want to build a new nicer, bigger, flatter table, but can't see how I can get it flat. Garage floor isn't level, my table isn't level. how are you all doing it?
Reply:Sounds like I need to find someone with a flat table I can bring my steel for the frame to.
Reply:Weld it all up and then get it blanchard ground... that is about the best you are going to do.
Reply:Originally Posted by Jimmy_popFrankly, It's not going to happen. Starting from loose tubing on a garage floor will result in a fail.
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmNo, you just need to be creative and think through your set up.  I should qualify that statement.  You aren't going to get anywhere close to what a surface plate is for flatness.  You can get flat enough to be fine for welding.
Reply:Start with a flat piece of steel for the top, 1/2 inch or better, build the frame as true as you can with heavy steel tube running lengthwise. Shim as needed and put the top on. Don't weld it on, bolt it gently. See my post on my table build. I'm very pleased. I don't do many space shuttle jobs so it's good for my needs!Miller diversion 165Miller mig 211Hypertherm pm 30Milwaukee 6230 14 inch chop sawMd 45 mag drill (RIP; fell on its head)New MD 45! Thanks to the esposa!Finally got an O/A setup
Reply:Build the table upside down on the floor. Lay the plate down, hopefully thick plate, clamp a piece of straight "I" beam length wise about 4" inside the edge and tack along it's length. Put another one down the other side, make sure it is tight to the plate and tack away. Put 2 cross pieces in at either end of the first 2 "I" beams but don't weld yet. Then clamp two more straight pieces of "I" beam on top and diagonally across the four pieces and weld the four pieces together and tack the end pieces to the top. Take the diagonal pieces off and put your legs on. Now the hard part, turn it right side up. Should be as straight as you will ever need.
Reply:Originally Posted by BobBuild the table upside down on the floor. Lay the plate down, hopefully thick plate, clamp a piece of straight "I" beam length wise about 4" inside the edge and tack along it's length. Put another one down the other side, make sure it is tight to the plate and tack away. Put 2 cross pieces in at either end of the first 2 "I" beams but don't weld yet. Then clamp two more straight pieces of "I" beam on top and diagonally across the four pieces and weld the four pieces together and tack the end pieces to the top. Take the diagonal pieces off and put your legs on. Now the hard part, turn it right side up. Should be as straight as you will ever need.