table design help

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I building a new welding table and was wondering how much of an overhang I should leave for the welder clamp. Is 3 inches enough and do I need to have the overhang on all four sides?thanks
Reply:3 inches is all I have. Be careful about warping when you put the top on - lots of threads on this. All you need is a few tacks to stop it sliding. Gravity will do much of the work.Scott
Reply:If you are still building, I recommend a lower shelf framed with angle iron. you will use it for sure and can clamp to that. Also get some 1/2 or 5/8 round stock about 24 inches and put a couple bends 2 inches in from the ends. Then, weld it on the end/underside of the table to hang C-clamps and such. Hope this helps a little.
Reply:And get decent wheels.
Reply:And somewhere to put the grinder. You need a place where you can sit it while it's still spinning so you don't have to wait for it to stop completely before you put it down.Scott
Reply:And a holder for the electrod holder/ mig gun/ tig torch/ oxyacet torch and maybe even a large bolt or something else welded to the bottom to clamp onto instead of the table itself.
Reply:The 3'x6' table I just finished has ~ 1.25" of overhang on all sides and after using it for a few weeks, I wish I had designed in a bit more.   2.5" would have been perfect.   Since the table frame is aluminum and the top is 1/2" steel, I have 4 clips made from steel "L" bracket, welded to the underside of the table top that keep the top positioned on the frame.     I thought about adding a fixed torch holder, but I like the idea of being able to work all 4 sides of the table, so I designed a clip-on torch holder, that I can move around the table perimeter as necessary.  I've already made one, and I can see the convenience of having a second one.   The butt end of the plastic handle of the torch rests over the bottom "U" and the curved section between the torch handle and the diffuser tip rests inside the top "U". Attached ImagesThere are no small projects
Reply:Very nice Imagineer!  I need some help in CAD - autodesk 10 is killing me. Anyone up for some training?John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:You can try google sketchup. It's free and works nice.
Reply:Is that sketched in Solidworks?
Reply:Originally Posted by lish189Is that sketched in Solidworks?
Reply:Alibre also has a free cad program, and it does 3D as well. I also need to practice, it's been along time since I've use solidworks(1998) and even longer for autocad(R10.). Nice holder BTW.