Help me design my first welding table

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This is my first post on here, been lurking for a few months.  Finally bought a Lincoln 210MP a few weeks ago.  Ive been welding for a few months on a few of my buddies machines and it was time to buy my own.I need to build a welding table.  My wood work bench(lets be honest, its 2 saw horses and piece of 3/4" plywood) just isnt going to cut it long term.I am seeing so much stuff out there as far as tables and while a lot of it looks cool, I have no clue what I need and I could see myself going way crazy over board since thats what I tend to do anyway.Im thinking 3x5 or 4x6 is plenty of space for me.  This is a hobby for me.  I cant say specifically what I will be working on.Im thinking of building my base using 2x2x1/8 square tubing.  I see a lot of guys using 2x3 tubing though, but it seems like that is on bigger tables than I am thinking of building.  Any reason I should think about doing that vs the 2x2?  Maybe 3x3 legs.  Definitely going to run casters of some kind as I will need to be able to put the table away when not in use.Im seeing tops with tons of holes on them.  I understand that is for setting clamps and jigs and what not.  I think I dont need that and the cost of those tops seems crazy to me.  I am also seeing tops that are maybe 6" wide solid panels with maybe 1" gaps in between for clamps.  I get that concept and think that would be nice to do and not to difficult.  If I go this route(6" wide individual panels) is there a "standard" gap in between the panels I should shoot for?  Should I go wider or narrower than 6" panels?  Thinking 1/2" thick pieces here.I could also go with a solid top although the 6" wide individual panels would be easier for me to handle.Im still lurking through all the threads with table builds and what not.
Reply:2x2 will be fine for your table size.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:1.7 is the spacing on build pro tables and I believe 5/8" hole size. that's what I did on my table so if I wanted to use build pro tooling I could. When I make my 6' table bigger I'm going to put. Solid plate in the middle. Stuff does full through often. Really nice for clamling and jig/fixtures. Call around to scrap yard see what they got. Also to local shops for drops. Then call sales and price flat bar to plate and see what you want to do from there. Also the trailer reciever style tables to remove a vice make a great feature so if you had a big poject you could remove easly. Best luck post pics!Miller Dynasty 200dxLincoln power mig 255Travel and comercial A/O rigsCheap 7"x14" horizontal bandsaw2 14" abrasion sawsDrill press. Arsenal of grinders/die grindersPower tools Hand tools
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli12x2 will be fine for your table size.
Reply:a bandsaw makes everything so much easier. I bought a used 7*12 a few years back a lil rusty but Im slowly cleaning it up...works perfect. cuts square.  as far as the table  do some searches  on here for ideas theres some beautys.... and 2*2 1/8 is great for the legs, some guys go crazy stupid in steel sizeing on here and there tables end up requiring a forklift and an overhead crane to move around.... go beefy on the top not the legs...just gusset and brace the legs is all
Reply:As for size, see what you can get from supplier. You may find a odd size like 34''x 79'' or something that could be less money then a 3' x 6'. Here's a memer that posted her table, nice. http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...ble&highlight=http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...picture-threadIf you have a solid table top holes free, you can tack clamps to the top . It depends on what type of usage you have for the table. I have gotten by with just a solid top for years . It depends what you prefer.
Reply:You can find the build pro table specs from there website. As far as the tooling haven't bought any thing from build pro but I made some stuff and the drill press half vice grips work awesome!Miller Dynasty 200dxLincoln power mig 255Travel and comercial A/O rigsCheap 7"x14" horizontal bandsaw2 14" abrasion sawsDrill press. Arsenal of grinders/die grindersPower tools Hand tools
Reply:I made these clamps for my table. 5/8ths holes 4 inch on center
Reply:Originally Posted by GavoYou can find the build pro table specs from there website. As far as the tooling haven't bought any thing from build pro but I made some stuff and the drill press half vice grips work awesome!]
Reply:there is nothing on the other side of the table. It is a slip fit and the torque locks them in place
Reply:Originally Posted by Bjpthere is nothing on the other side of the table. It is a slip fit and the torque locks them in place
Reply:I built one of mine out of some tee that was cut of a WF with the leg facing in. I used 4" pipe legs. It has a 1/2" top. It has a surprising ability to have all four wheels on the ground at all times on slightly uneven concrete. I also have one made one out of square tube that is more rigid, and will sometimes have a wheel off the ground.  Consider making the top frame out of angle or channel, something with some torsional give. I also use 4" as a minimum legs size, as rigidity in the legs is very important.
Reply:This is my take on the table...works great for me...
Reply:Originally Posted by TarmstrongThis is my take on the table...works great for me...
Reply:Well everyones table need are differn'tIf you want to build your table then you have to deside what you will need to have it do and how it will work for what you do.I got one of these a few years ago and seem to use it more then the other two tables I have.Miller ArcStation 30FX Welding TableThe price is right around $297 on ebay from IOC w/free shipping Attached Imageswww.georgesplasmacuttershop.comPlasma Cutter and Welder Sales and Repairs--Ebay storeTec.Mo. Dealer Consumables for the PT and IPT torch's
Reply:1.7 is what I decieded on after the build pro table. No think 1.5 wouldn't be a problem at all. I'm going to modify my table with 3 3"x3" structural square tube and going to 5/8" slots cut down center of them. I will then have a piece of plate that goes on the inside of tubng to bolt my slats down. To move them into any spacing I need to. Also making the table 10' instead of the 6' it is. Also adding a solid 3/4" plate 3'-4'x by what ever the lengths of my 3/4" slats are which is like 40 inches bc they were lazer cut drops. I will do the 5/8" hole 4" on center like bjp's top.Miller Dynasty 200dxLincoln power mig 255Travel and comercial A/O rigsCheap 7"x14" horizontal bandsaw2 14" abrasion sawsDrill press. Arsenal of grinders/die grindersPower tools Hand tools
Reply:The plates are 1/2" thick...bar stock that is 8" wide and 28" long.  The gap is 1 1/2"...which is what worked best foe the clamps I haveFigure out what type of clamp you want to use...then make sure it fits whatever gap you decide to use.
Reply:My only advice is to make the top as thick as you can afford, mine is 2'x4'x1''. I can hammer, bang, heat, bend anything I want without much fear of damaging the top. Mine also uses 2x2 square for the base framework and its on casters with a jack that drops down on one end to keep it from moving. Plus it has receiver tubing on 4 sides to use my vises anywhere I need.
Reply:I went for a copy of the buildpro maxWelding table by Taz00, on FlickrWelding table by Taz00, on FlickrHere is the build threadhttp://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...hew&highlight=
Reply:There's absolutely nothing wrong with a welding table that's just a slab of steel.  I like the advise of just seeing what size is available cheap.  Whatever it is you're welding won't know if you're table is 48"x48" or 46"x52" there's also some really odd L shaped plates or ones with large holes that I see every once in a while bumming around scrap yards.  You can get a 1" thick table top that's a weird size or shape cheaper than new 1/4" in a stock size.  If you're on a budget, your best served by going for something simple with a bunch of c-clamps, angle iron and some scrap pieces you can make quick jigs and fixtures with.  There's a lot of good ideas here and elsewhere for homemade gear, a lot of the commercially available stuff is inspired by what welders used to cobble up themselves.  With the money saved, buy more metal and consumables.  You'll always want a bigger table, for now, go for the one you can use now.
Reply:I built 2 tables similar to the arc station tables 1 with the X and a flat top!!! They are exactly what I was needing!!Millermatic 211Dewalt 14" ChopsawDewalt 4 1/2" GrinderCraftsman
Reply:I bought my table.  It is without a doubt the best investment I have made in terms of making my life easier.  Now instead of dreading a complex setup I look forward to them.  Attached are pictures of picnic table frame end frame fixtured and the finished tables.  I needed to make four tables.  After the first frame was setup the other 7 went really fast.  Just drop in the pieces, clamp, tack and then take out and zip it up.   The two tables in the picture took a total of three man hours to build start to finish including painting the frames and oiling the wood. Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by burnandreturnI bought my table.  It is without a doubt the best investment I have made in terms of making my life easier.  Now instead of dreading a complex setup I look forward to them.  Attached are pictures of picnic table frame end frame fixtured and the finished tables.  I needed to make four tables.  After the first frame was setup the other 7 went really fast.  Just drop in the pieces, clamp, tack and then take out and zip it up.   The two tables in the picture took a total of three man hours to build start to finish including painting the frames and oiling the wood.
Reply:Thanks for all the idea's guys.  Im short on cash right now(doing a huge build on my Jeep this week) to go buy steel and still trying to find a decent deal on something used for a top before I go and buy a new piece of steel.  I am on vacation from work this next week and going to run up to a scrap yard a friend pointed out about an hour north of me and see what I can find.
Reply:Originally Posted by rjacobsThanks for all the idea's guys.  Im short on cash right now(doing a huge build on my Jeep this week) to go buy steel and still trying to find a decent deal on something used for a top before I go and buy a new piece of steel.  I am on vacation from work this next week and going to run up to a scrap yard a friend pointed out about an hour north of me and see what I can find.wow those tables are awesome!VictorPraxairAir LiquideMillerLincoln Electric
Reply:You dont need a top with a lot of holes.Make the top from 4 inch channel spaced 9/16 apart.This spacing lets 1/2 inch bolts through for clamping.Drill press clamps work fine.My top is bolted to the table frame.If the top gets beat up Ill bolt on a new one.Two of the channels are close together to give a solid surface to park nuts and bolts.