best way to build a welding table frame?

admin

I am ready to start building my welding table and it will be a full 4X8 (3/8") top and 3X3X3/16 (is this overkill or would 2X2X1/8 suffice) square tubing for framing. The table will have a total of 8 legs (or is this going to be over kill) and a 6" overhang all around. My question is what is the best (easiest) way or order of assembling the frame. Should I build the frame for the top and lower shelf idividually and then weld the legs to the two frames or should I build the frames that would include the legs and then weld them together with the cross pieces (this would require more cutting and welding in my mind). Just want to make sure I am thinking in the correct terms. Thanks in advance, jwr2200
Reply:I've done it every way imaginable, and the easiest, IMHO, is to assemble the table on a flat surface and then attach the legs.  Tack the legs, check for square, add another tack, check for square, etc.I prefer only four legs.  If you build a good truss in between, you only need four, and you will usually need to level the table with a shim or two anyway on most floors, which aren't flat anyway.I add the bottom shelf after the rest of the table is complete, but part of it is also usually part of the truss that keeps the legs straight and load-bearing.Most of my tables are a skeleton-top, just pieces of angle for support and lots of places to clamp to.
Reply:A few shots of one I made a while back.  4x8x 1/4" top.  2x2x3/16" frame.  adjustable legs.  Only four legs and no brace on the back so it can roll over the stuff in in the pic.  I welded the legs on mine to the long sides and then welded in the 4' side pieces (i needed to access the top of the legs for hieght adjustments).  I went form a 30" x 30" top to this 4x8 and it is a work out to get around it!  In hind sight I think I would have made two 4x4's that would come together when I needed that extra size.  On a funny note while building this table on the ground I kept thinking to myself,"boy it sure would be nice to have a big table I could weld this on!" http://www.shopfloortalk.com/forums/...4&d=1181789640http://www.shopfloortalk.com/forums/...5&d=1181789726
Reply:as for the square tubing 2x2x1/8 will be more than adequate.  i built a feeder for deer and birds the feeder is roughly 100 bushels capacity and the feeder itself is nearly 2000 pounds of steel, and the main base that i made is 2x2x1/8"   (the main tub is 1/8" diamond plate steel with crossbracing in the center) and it weighs in at over 7200 pounds when full             and i have had no probs as of yet .hope this helps you adam