Work/Weld Table

admin

OK, I designed this in Excel and took a pic of my screen. The concept is to have a kinda convertible work station table. The base or lower assembly is on locking caster and the top assemblies will be able to slide into the lower and be held with hitch pins and using stabilizer bolts so it wont wiggle. I'm thinking that I could make different top pieces as I need them. Like an axle jig, or an expanded metal top for cleaning/painting parts.Just kicking this idea around, I need a welding/work table anyhow. Any ideas or critiques are welcome......I'm a newb to here and welding. Last edited by desertscout; 04-11-2013 at 12:15 AM.HF 180 amp/240 volt Mig (cap mod)1987 Harley FLHTP (project)1990 F350 XLT Lariat S/C dually1990 S&S 11SC Cabover Camper2011 Ford Ranger S/C XLT
Reply:1/2x1/2 angle iron will not do anything for you, except for decorate the edge of your plate. Also, you are not going to just lift out a 4' chunk of 1/4" or 3/8" plate. The side leg thing is also going to be surprisingly in your way. A four leg table is more stable and your feet fit under it in all but four spots. A nice drawing, but after having and using a lot of metal tables I can tell you that once it is together you want the thing rigid.  You can paint on top of a solid table just fine too, just use some wd-40 on it first so the paint comes off easy, then wire wheel it off after it dries, or don't, it'll wear off with use.
Reply:Yep, like Walker said, lose the modified trestle table design and go with four legs. If you want to attach jigs, weld a couple receiver hitch tubes on the legs right under the table top and use them to mount different set-ups...or tack the jigs to the table top and grind off when done.Lincoln PrecisionTig 275Miller 251Miller DialArc 250Bridgeport millHossfeld bender & diesLogan shaperJet 14 X 40 latheSouth Bend 9" 'C'Hypertherm 900Ellis 3000 band saw21"Royersford ExcelsiorTwo shops, still too many tools.
Reply:I have a 4x4 1/2 inch plate that's not yet a table. I had to move it yesterday, so I had to call a buddy to come over and help move it, somewhere in the vicinity of 400 pounds.   Like the others above said, for stability go with 4 legs with wheels and levelers on them. you could always add a couple of holes for the locating pins that you add to your work jigs. Where are you going to park multiple tops, btw? Make your life easy and sleep well at night.  Last edited by bearston; 04-11-2013 at 01:01 PM.When a welder tells you to "stick it", what do they really mean?"In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." - George Orwell
Reply:Originally Posted by WyoRoyYe. If you want to attach jigs, weld a couple receiver hitch tubes on the legs right under the table top and use them to mount different set-ups...
Reply:The side receiver idea is great. I didn't go that route, but rather modified the idea by using the same concept, only using the 2x2 legs as the receiver. I cut inch and a half square holes in my top over each leg, so I can weld an inch and a half square tube (6" or so) to a 3/8" plate which can hold vises, grinders, cutters, jigs, etc. Just under the table on two sides of the leg at about 4" is 1/2" bolts with weld nuts to tighten down the 1-1/2 inch. Not only does my welding table have this setup, but my assembly tables, my grinder/buffer/roller/anvil stands all have the same setup so its all interchangeable. One of these days I will get some pics and put them here.
Reply:Ahhhhh, I see, I guess I will re-think my table. It has to be mobile and I think I will have to go a bit smaller so it can go from my "work area" behind the garage (its all concreted) to in the garage in bad weather. I'm not worried about the weight, I can use  my engine hoist to lift it. I really like the corner receiver idea though.HF 180 amp/240 volt Mig (cap mod)1987 Harley FLHTP (project)1990 F350 XLT Lariat S/C dually1990 S&S 11SC Cabover Camper2011 Ford Ranger S/C XLT
Reply:It has been discussed here, but I think this table is one of the easiest and best designs.http://www.millerwelds.com/interests...welding-table/You can make it out of 1/8"  2x tube and put a 3/8" top on it for the ultimate in welding/work/fabrication ormake it out of 14ga. 2x tube and put a 1/4" plate on it for a light fab/assembly table.We built 4 of them for our lab 2 heavy's and 2 light weights, absolutely great tables!Some blue machinesSome red machineslots of heavy steel
Reply:Originally Posted by desertscoutAhhhhh, I see, I guess I will re-think my table. It has to be mobile and I think I will have to go a bit smaller so it can go from my "work area" behind the garage (its all concreted) to in the garage in bad weather. I'm not worried about the weight, I can use  my engine hoist to lift it. I really like the corner receiver idea though.
Reply:Originally Posted by moparman68It has been discussed here, but I think this table is one of the easiest and best designs.http://www.millerwelds.com/interests...welding-table/You can make it out of 1/8"  2x tube and put a 3/8" top on it for the ultimate in welding/work/fabrication ormake it out of 14ga. 2x tube and put a 1/4" plate on it for a light fab/assembly table.We built 4 of them for our lab 2 heavy's and 2 light weights, absolutely great tables!
Reply:Same sort of deal as Bistineau's table. Only change I would make to it now would be to make a better method of solidly raising the casters off the floor...getting down on the floor and swinging a 3/4" ratchet on the inside of the corner angle legs underneath the bottom shelf doesn't make it. Attached ImagesLincoln PrecisionTig 275Miller 251Miller DialArc 250Bridgeport millHossfeld bender & diesLogan shaperJet 14 X 40 latheSouth Bend 9" 'C'Hypertherm 900Ellis 3000 band saw21"Royersford ExcelsiorTwo shops, still too many tools.