My welding/fab table project

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I bought myself a barely used Sychrowave 180SD just after the new year. I added a water cooled torch and have been using the Covell DVD to learn some basics. I also have a friend that's a welder by day that give tips here and there. Thus far, I'm happy with what I've learned and know I have plenty to learn.My first project was a cart for my welder, cooler, etc. I'm pleased with the results. I had to go on a trip for work right after I painted it, so no photos just yet. I built it on a wooden bench because that's all I had. I have read every welding/fab table thread I could find on here and other sites and have came up with a general design I like.The top will be 4' x 3' x 1". I got surplus 2 x 3 x .120 tubing for the base. I started making the top support before I left on this work trip. I tried mitering the 2x3 tubing with my Milwaukee dry cut saw. It cut an angle, but not one of them ended up being 45 degrees. I squared everything up and got the perimeter welded together so that it's square. I filled the small gaps and moved on. Then added two cross braces. I know I am overbuilding and I'm alright with that. I bought the steel and am having a lot of fun getting started.I bought some of those 700# Enco casters I've seen on other table threads on here. I have not bought the top plate yet, but I've found a few sources. I plan to have the rest built and painted before I add the top. Once the top is on, I'm thinking about renting a mag-drill and taping holes so that I can use my milling clamp sets for clamping stuff to the table. I'm thinking on a 4" grid. I'm thinking I'll add a inch or so deep slide out tray to catch whatever gets through the holes.The table will have 4" overhang all around and I'm insetting the base so I can sit and weld if I want to on one long side.Anyway, I sadly don't have any photos because I'm out of town.I am interested in any feedback, especially on my clamping idea.
Reply:Tables are whatever you want them to be. I too have a chair at my table for tig as you can do better work if you are conformable, I also have a adjustable hand rest as I'm not as steady as I once was. This site is one of the best sources for ideas and it sounds like you have got some. Be sure and post pictures when you can so we can see your creation.
Reply:I'm home from working on the road and have had a little time to work on my fab table. The top section of the base is welded. I have some more grinding on this section..The bottom is similar, it will have an inset in the center of one long side so I can sit at the table and weld. This is the beginning of laying it out to see how things will look.I'm using two pieces of 1' x 2' x 1" steel on top of my toolbox to put this together. It's only my second welding project. I'm not certain of height yet. I'm thinking a top surface height of about 39-40". The casters will be bolted to 3/8" plates welded to the bottom of the base, kinda like so:I'm thinking of using POR-15 black paint for the base.I welcome any feedback, criticism, input, etc.
Reply:Looks like a good start. I need to get supplies together to get a table of my own going. Looking forward to progress pics
Reply:por 15 for sure and I may suggest to bolt the casters on. It makes changing them easy.Life is tuff,so be sharp  lincoln sp 100  cutmaster101  miller bobcat  miller 250 mig  $thousands in snapon
Reply:I'm thinking POR-15 as an inexpensive alternative to powder coating. The casters will be bolted to plates that are drilled and tapped for bolts. I'm out of town working. Looking forward to getting back on this project when I get home.
Reply:slodat:You might want to look at Hammerite vs POR-15. It's a lot less expensive and does just as good a job.Looking forward to more pictures.Sign on East Texas payphone: Calls to God 40 cents......it's a local call...
Reply:I've made some progress on the fab table this week. Looking forward to getting a lot done tomorrow. Two of the caster/leveling foot plates are tack welded in place. I want to get all four tacked in place and flip it over on the wheels and see how things are before I finish weld. Once that is sorted out, I'll get going on the tool and clamp holders. I bought a portaband mount from Troy at Swag Off Road. Plan is to pick up a new Milwaukee portaband tomorrow. This will also be mounted to a plate for the receiver hitch spot.I picked up a really nice, American made vice today. It will be mounted on a plate to fit in the receiver hitch tubes on each corner.Miller Syncrowave 180SD
Reply:I've been really busy and haven't had much time to make progress on my table. I did get the other two foot plates made and tacked into place. The photo is of the table sitting on the four leveling feet bolts. It is Very stable. I have two 1' x 2' x 1" plates sitting on it. They are making visualizing the full size 3' x 4' top a lot easier. In the photo is also the swag offroad portaband mount. I bought 1/2" plate yesterday to mount my receiver hitch tools on. I'm headed out to the shop to make some progress in a few.Miller Syncrowave 180SD
Reply:I used the table in the above form for the past 2.5 years. A week ago I spied this at a local scrap yard:Negotiated a very good price for the table and it was mine. It had years of dried oil and chips protecting it from the elements. I scraped it off and power washed it prior to putting it in the shop.Here it is after a couple of hours cleaning out holes and working on the surface.I'll get the other half cleaned up and the surface looking nice in the morning. Then, I need to do some finish welding on the base and prep it for some paint. I am really excited to finally have found a top for the table I started so long ago.The top piece is 21" x 49" x 1-7/8". Every other hole is tapped 1/2-13.Miller Syncrowave 180SD
Reply:Nice score on the table top.Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.
Reply:Was in the shop late last night and tonight. I had some finish welding to take care of. I added 2"x2"x1/8" angle stringers between uprights on the left side and rear. Grinders hang really nicely from the angle. Then I laid out mounting holes on some thicker 1/4" angle to screw the top down. Welded this across the front.At that point I set the top in place.It took a few hours to get the top cleaned up and all of the holes cleaned out. It made a huge mess, but they are clean now. I used my RO sander to lightly sand the top with WD-40 as a lubricant. It worked well. Used 100 then 150 then 220 grit. Very happy with the how it is turning out.I've been undecided about the area under the table since I started building it. I'm considering building a drawer cabinet to fit under the table. I have a bunch of full extension ball bearing slides and 3/4" plywood. Would be really cool to make the drawers match the shape of the cutout in the base. As I type this, I am liking that idea more and more..I'm holding off painting the base until after I've used it for a while and the rear section (where the 1" plate is currently sitting) is sorted out.Miller Syncrowave 180SD
Reply:The 1" plate is an inch narrower than the big plate. I have a friend with a milling machine. We're sorting out everything it needs to hopefully get it all in one day on the mill. I want to square up both plates, put a small bevel on the edges and drill holes on the top to drop socket head cap screws into for mounting. As far as attaching the 1" plates, I'd like to space them up to the level of the bigger section and mount them on slotted angle mounts on the frame. The slots would allow a t-nut to slide a couple of inches.Miller Syncrowave 180SD
Reply:Wow, that's a seriously thick top. Are you using enough heat that you need it that thick? How much does the 1.75" piece weigh?Lincoln 175HD
Reply:The top is from a huge milling machine that I found in a scrap yard. I like it. It won't warp Total weight for the table is about 1000 lbs. The 1-7/8 portion is about 500.Miller Syncrowave 180SD
Reply:Got things situated. I'll use it for a while and see how it goes before painting. First project is the frame for the wagon I'm building for my god daughter.Miller Syncrowave 180SD
Reply:Nice stong looking table.How do you like the SWAG saw mount? Been thinking about one. Thanks.
Reply:I've had it for a couple of years. I bought a new, dedicated portaband for it. I love it. I use it all the time. Excellent for a small, vertical bandsaw.Miller Syncrowave 180SD
Reply:Thanks, it's on my list.
Reply:That table top is awesome, if you don't mind, how much did you pay for it?
Reply:i gotta start my sons radio flyer project wagon asap!cool table bro!
Reply:It looks like a good start for you.The output of your work will be good since you made it right. Good hard work for this craft and I am looking forward to see more from you here." target="_blank"> Stand Alone LED Solar Lighting Adelaide
Reply:Originally Posted by Unfinished_ProjectsThat table top is awesome, if you don't mind, how much did you pay for it?
Reply:You have lots of new things, still in packages, above your bench (just saying) That is one nice bench.... I'm envious   mike
Reply:They are pegboard hooks waiting to be put into use.Miller Syncrowave 180SD