Welding work space help

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I moved in to a new house, so I lost my separate workshop that my other house had. Now I am stuck using the garage, and I need a way to easily move my work space aside. (Unless I can convince my wife to park outside hehe). I am hoping to get ideas from some people. I am a new welder, so I dont even have a table yet. So, I have two things to figure out...1. How to set up the space2. How to get a tableI was thinking of using welding curtains and just hanging them from the ceiling, but will need to be able to remove them easily if needed. What do you all recommend for a table if I need to be conscious of the use of space, or at least, being able to move it or break it down to get it out of the way. I know this site if full of really clever folks. I am sure I can get a lot of good suggestions here.Lincoln Dual 180 Power MIG
Reply:For a table,  I like the $60 foldable from harbor freight. They are surprisingly solid. If you need something bigger it will need casters.Regards,RobGreat Basin WeldingInstagramBlue weldersRed weldersMy luscious Table DIY TIG Torch cooler
Reply:Size of space ? what do you plan on building ? size of table ? BUILD IT ! Check Craig's list for your area.  Here's a 3x5 a member did, nice photo's http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...-welding-tableYou could get some old garage door track and rollers. Mount track near ceiling height , add hooks to rollers to hang weld curtains on. Or pipe and old time shower hooks.
Reply:I didn't realize they made folding welding tables. That is a good option. If I ever get more space, I would love to build a large table like that, BD1. Sliding the curtain on the pipe sounds better than I had in mind too.Lincoln Dual 180 Power MIG
Reply:In a situation like that, everything you own should be on wheels.
Reply:A fold down table off the wall with some screw in legs would be kinda neat...something like this but made of metal and more sturdy:
Reply:Originally Posted by #1SomeGuyA fold down table off the wall with some screw in legs would be kinda neat...something like this but made of metal and more sturdy:
Reply:I do a lot of TIG welding, so I generally do it the garage.The suggestion of everything on wheels is a good one.I use a 2 by 4 foot metal welding table on two metal sawhorses.   The table is light enough to pick up without difficulty.   The metal sawhorses are adjustable in height.As far as flashing bystanders when I weld outside, I use a folding metal shield that goes around 3 sides of the table.  It is held in place with the usual 90 degree welding magnets.    It is about 12 inches high, adequate for most work.I have the outlet for my welder near the door of the garage, and the welders are placed right there.   That way the welding cables are long enough to weld inside or outside, generally without moving the welder.   But my welder is on wheels, as are my toolboxes.RichardSculptures in copper and other metalshttp://www.fergusonsculpture.comSyncrowave 200 Millermatic 211Readywelder spoolgunHypertherm 600 plasma cutterThermal Arc GMS300 Victor OA torchHomemade Blacksmith propane forge
Reply:look at the strong hands folding table , they have a center joining section ,that will connect two tables into three , and you can go as large or small as you need . just one note of caution ,a folding table is not a beating and banging  table . Or is able to carry a 100# vise .
Reply:Originally Posted by rafergusonI do a lot of TIG welding, so I generally do it the garage.The suggestion of everything on wheels is a good one.I use a 2 by 4 foot metal welding table on two metal sawhorses.   The table is light enough to pick up without difficulty.   The metal sawhorses are adjustable in height.As far as flashing bystanders when I weld outside, I use a folding metal shield that goes around 3 sides of the table.  It is held in place with the usual 90 degree welding magnets.    It is about 12 inches high, adequate for most work.I have the outlet for my welder near the door of the garage, and the welders are placed right there.   That way the welding cables are long enough to weld inside or outside, generally without moving the welder.   But my welder is on wheels, as are my toolboxes.Richard
Reply:Originally Posted by TroponinThat's another great idea for welding outside. How did you make the folding metal screen?
Reply:Originally Posted by rafergusonThe metal screen is made from 12 inch wide strips of 20 ga steel, with two hinges.    This protects people on three sides from being flashed, and then I face the fourth side towards the garage.  It folds flat for easy storage.
Reply:A few questions..- One or two car garage?- Fully convertible? i.e., shop by day/parking space(s) by night?- Do you plan on JUST welding in there or doing a bit of fabrication as well?- What type of equipment do you plan on purchasing to make it at least a semi-complete shop in your eyes?I have a standard convertible 2-car garage (22'x20' I believe) that has a fair amount of basic fabrication equipment in it; welder, plasma cutter, fabrication table, 48" sheet metal brake, 50" sheet metal rolls, generator,  cats poop box, hot water heater, blah, blah, blah.. Everything is on wheels, and rolls out when I want to work (except the cats poop box). During the week, all equipment goes back against the walls and 2 cars are able to park in the garage comfortably (hatchback and mid-sized SUV). Even with everything folded up, if I currently have a project under way, my wife can park in one bay and I can work in the other.I have a few pictures in the "projects and pictures" sub-forum, but not sure if I have ever taken any pictures with all equipment in position vs stored and with two cars parked in there. If interested, I can snap a few this weekend and post them.-NicheLast edited by NicheFab; 10-28-2014 at 09:46 PM.
Reply:I can pull out my wife's car out of the garage to get more room. I am not always going to be able to pull mine out though. It's my garage kept baby, so it only sees nice weather. This is part of the reason I need a barrier. I Picked up the Harbor Freight welding table today with a 6x8ft welding blanket.Lincoln Dual 180 Power MIG
Reply:Originally Posted by rafergusonAs far as flashing bystanders when I weld outside, I use a folding metal shield ...
Reply:You might want to take a look at what Jack Olsen here did as far as his garage set up.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...able-Any-ideas.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:Here's my giddy-up.. Nothing special, but convertible garage shop as you indicated you are trying to achieve. Everything.. EVERYTHING is on casters.Now you see it:Attachment 899461Now you don't:Attachment 899471And yes, two cars still fit:Attachment 899481-Niche
Reply:Niche - That is impressive!
Reply:Hey Niche, no material rack?Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkLincoln Pro Mig 180HF Stick/Tig Inverter WelderLincoln AC225s
Reply:Thanks. No material rack yet. Not quite sure what i am going to do about that just yet, as I would LOVE to build a second building be it  pole barn, garage, etc to store material and toys in. For right now I just hold overage as BMG metals offers free delivery to my house with a $200 order. I have been and probably will continue to do Just In Time ordering until I can get space and $$ to hold much extra material. That might have to change soon though, cause it is big $$ trying to get a simple small piece of material from Lowes or Tractor Supply in a pinch. It would be nice to have some extra on hand though so I don't get reamed  by the big box stores in those rare occasions.-Niche-Niche
Reply:years ago I thought I was going to build a stump grinder, I had a disk of 1"  x 24" steel cut for the project, and things happened and the stumps rotted out on there own, so one day I was looking around and here is this disk, of steel, so I added some legs and makes a nice small table,   before that I was at a scrap yard and found a sheet of 1/4" steel not the best of shape but reasonable flat,  and I had some old angle and it was my first welding table I was about 15 (still have it and use it),   at the high school they had fire brick on there tables I tried that but removed it so that was what my first table was, the welding vice is on that table, (actualy two of them,)  about 30" wide and 48" long, my old welder sat under the table,if I have to do a large project, I when younger worked off the floor, now I will set up some drums and put a plywood or some tubing to work off of, (knees no longer like the floor, and then I nearly need a ladder to get back up after my knee injury),my little 24" diameter disk make a nice work area for 90% of what I weld,