welding legs?

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I picked up an perfict for me sized 1/2 inch plate already cut into a table top at the scrap yard.  Well I cut 4 peaces of 2.5 inch by 1/4 inch pipe for the legs.  I welded two of them directly to the table top, well failure they warped like crazy.  I may have not cut the legs evenly as I only have a grinder with a cutting wheel.  I'm going to cut them off tomarrow and start over.  Would I be better off welding the legs all together with supports then welding the legs to the table top or should I take a different rout? I was also thinking I might look for some 3 inch pipe that the pipe I have will slide into.  Weld the 3 inch pipe to the table.  Slide in the legs and weld them in place.  Any any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.
Reply:is there any reason you don't weld four pipes on the bottom (leave them a little long), then turn it over and make the top level, then mark the leg lengths with a pen, then cut them off accurately? (place the pen sideways on a block of wood and run it all the way around with the table top level.  This will give you four legs of the same length).kevKevin / Machine_Punk from The Aerodrome Studio - Lincoln PowerMIG 210 MP - Meco N Midget w/custom welding station - Vintage Victor 100Current Projects: The Aerodrome Studio
Reply:If you our warping the top make a level legs frame and put the table top on the frame with some tack welds
Reply:Sorry to tell you this but you got it all wrong.If you had the LUCK (and notice I say luck in capital letters) to find such a nice piece of steel in the scrapyard (I guess you didn't pay much for it), you should built a sturdy frame and then BOLT the table top to it.Welding legs directly to the table top is the best way to warp it.I would suggest you make a frame out of square tubing. Having flats they are easier to use than round pipe.Mikel
Reply:Did you actually warp the plate or are the legs just crooked?Tim Beeker.
Reply:The legs crooked on me.  The plate did not warp.  I think I'm going to build a frame.  When you build the frame should you weld the top to it?  Or should I bolt it or build the frame so I can just set the table top?
Reply:I would weld it. Just don't go crazy with the length of weld. Gravity is going to most of the work of keeping it in place.Millermatic 200Hobart Handler 120Victor O/A & Ramco BandsawLincoln 225 ACSnapOn AD HoodMiller XMT304/22AHypertherm Powermax 1650 G3Lincoln Idealarc DC600 w/Extreme 12 VSMiller Digital Elite "Joker"
Reply:Thanks for the info.  I think it was a combo of things.  I don't know if I had my cuts on the pipe flat.  As well as I'm pretty sure I welded it to fast I really did not tack it on.  I also noticed where I was welding on the driveway it is not level by any degree.  I'm clearing out the garage so I can redo this.  Thanks again.
Reply:Here is the frame I build for my welding table. It is built from 2 x 3 x .120.Miller Syncrowave 180SD
Reply:I just welded the last two legs on.  I figured the heck with it.  They area lot straighter.  I cleaned out the garage and welded them on the garage floor.  I placed a peace of sheet metal on the legs and checked with a level.  I went to town with a grinder and got the feet flat.  Flipped it over checked level its not 100% perfict but close enough for me.  I welded in supports making an x between the legs with re bar just because its all I had.  I bashed it with an 8 lb sledge hammer a few times.  Still level no cracks.  I'm going to pick up some angle iron later and weld supports from leg to leg around the inside that will double as a frame for a storage shelf.  I'll post picks later.
Reply:Welding legs?  I though this was going to be about walking and standing.. like "sea legs" or "land legs".  Nice table!  I wonder how useful that guide slot might be when aligning parts??- MondoMember, AWSLincoln ProMIG 140Lincoln AC TombstoneCraftsman Lathe 12 x 24 c1935Atlas MFC Horizontal MillCraftsman Commercial Lathe 12 x 36 c1970- - - I'll just keep on keepin' on.
Reply:Now that you are 'mostly level,' you can weld in levelers.  Go get four 1/2" bolts and nuts.  Weld the nuts to a plate-with-a-hole-in-it on the bottom of the legs, insert the bolts, adjust to your hearts content.KevKevin / Machine_Punk from The Aerodrome Studio - Lincoln PowerMIG 210 MP - Meco N Midget w/custom welding station - Vintage Victor 100Current Projects: The Aerodrome Studio