first major welding project

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Hello everyone!  I have welded a few small things around the house, and I think I'm ready for a real project.I'd like to make a metal framed table, about 3' by 10' long.  It will have a wooden top and open front (the long way) so I can roll equipment under it.  It would have to generally support around 600 lbs, evenly distributed.  I may put casters under it, but it wouldn't move often or far.Could anyone suggest materials (i.e. 2" square tubing, 1/8" thick)?Thanks!
Reply:The possible steel material that will work is wide open to your imagination and skill level. If you are stick welding it, stay with 1/8" or thicker. If you are wire welding with a 110 volt machine (just for instance), consider 1/8" the maximum thickness.City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:2- 3'x5' tables10' is a long table- unless you are building it in place go with 2 tables.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:You might be able to modify these plans and materials to fit your needs.http://www.motherearthnews.com/Do-It...ing-Table.aspx
Reply:tanglediver:  Yes, steel, and yes, I am guilty of owning a 110v unit.    It's so portable though!  I can bring it anywhere without a thought!Brocolli1:  Well, it's actually a bar, and I'll have equipment longer than 5' to go underneath it.  E.g., those long bar coolers, etc.  My plans were to cut and fit it in the backyard, then transport it to the site for welding and attaching the top.What do you guys think would have minimum sag in the front?  I was considering a basic frame with an open front and 2 or 3 additional supports that would come up the back and across the top in an upside down "L" shape (green).  Maybe adding some diagonal braces (red) to help reduce twist also.
Reply:Since you are leaving the 10 foot span unsupported on one side...what about some sort of ladder truss(small of course) design across that span to support the weight. Even a 6" high truss would be better than a single piece of tubing which would tend to sag under it's own weight..You could use one front & back and it could be even smaller material to gain even more strength than a single piece of heavier material.You didn't give much info on what type of loading the 'bar' will have on the top. If it is indeed a 'bar' you could use say 1" tubing (if you built trusses) then use bigger material for the legs.
Reply:For a 10 foot long unsupported span holding up 600 lbs or so EVENLY DISTRIBUTED, you are looking at using 4x2x1/8 tube steel.  That will give you about 1/4 - 1/2 inch of sag in the middle.If someone climbs onto the bar top (and someone almost certainly WILL climb onto the bar top at some time), then you no longer have an evenly distributed load.  The 4x2x1/8 steel should be OK with a 250 lb person climbing up though.The 2x2x1/8 steel should be Ok for the rest of the table frame and legs.disclaimer:  Objects in mirror may be closer than they appear, your actual mileage may vary, inflammable substances are flammable, this advise worth what you paid for it, numbers may have been arrived at from a large number but smaller than  an infinite number of monkeys randoming hitting keyboards, etc, etc, etc.  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:Without middle support - will be unreasonably heavy.... Would be difficult to move around...Consider removable support i.e. place your equipment and bolt middle support.
Reply:Definitely a truss design:These are 4x8 decks that you can go by for the 3'x10'http://www.steeldeck.com/downloads.htm Attached ImagesEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Specs: Attached ImagesEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Excellent idea. Just a question: they give total capacity 4000# total and 125# per sq ft. Now if person 250# stepped at the middle on one side as MoonRise suggested - will it hold?Last edited by Nomand; 08-12-2008 at 01:41 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by NomandExcellent idea. Just a question: they give total capacity 4000# total and 125# per sq ft. Now if person 250# stepped at the middle on one side as MoonRise suggested - will it hold?
Reply:Then give OP the green light!Time clocker started... NOW...
Reply:Soon to be seen on Discovery Channel.Some dood travels the world's underground- so they made a fake hole. Attached ImagesEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Thanks guys!  Very interesting ideas and points all around.  I need to go examine my under-bar cooler and see where the doors are, height, and the height of  the equipment that goes on top.Thankfully, it's not the customer facing bar, but one against the wall.  However, it should probably be made to handle someone standing on it.Ack, the clock is ticking and I have decisions to make.