Need a cheap welding table - ideas?

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I'm looking to buy or build a cheap welding table.  I only have a 50amp 110v stick welder, so I'm obviously working on smaller pieces.  Something with a flat surface maybe 2' x 2' would work, larger is ok.  I'm thinking about using a gas grill, taking off the "grill" portion and welding on a piece of 1/8" plate steel for the top.  I've not yet located a junk grill though.Anything else I could make one out of?
Reply:If all you need is 2'X2', I would think you could make a trip to your local metal scrap dealer and come away with the materials for less than $50.  Get 1/2" plate for the top, a section of tube for the central leg, and some smaller tube or angle stock for a base (or an old, steel truck rim).It will take a little effort on your part (sanding the rust off with 80-grit paper in DA sander) and fabricating the table.In the $125 range, look at the little Strong Hand Nomad welding table...a commercially-available option for small and portable.http://www.stronghandtools.com/pdf_ctlg/21_nomad.pdfKevKevin / 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:First, you can weld anywhere.  A concrete floor is fine.  Even a wood bench will work so long as you're reasonably smart about not letting it get too hot.  Beyond that, there's some convenience to having the surface conduct electricity.  Any thin sheet steel will do that.  A thicker piece of steel is useful if you're using the surface to set things in alignment (so long as the thicker steel is actually flat) or if you're using it as a resilient surface to pound a hammer on.I don't see any advantage to using a grill base.  You can just set a piece of steel on your workbench (assuming you've got one).Last edited by Jack Olsen; 12-28-2012 at 03:27 PM.Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:Joecool, where you located ???  Is there craigslist by you ???  There is always something in my area listed. Check tools, free,and even business section. You might even find a cart where the top shelf is flat and use that.    Watch for a old Craftsman cast iron table saw. I saw these as cheap as $20.00 without a motor and it even had side extensions. Not the greatest but it  is cheap. Good enough for smallstuff.
Reply:Find an old table saw with a cast iron top that is missing a motor.  Or sell off the motor."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:+1 on the table saw idea.  Other ideas:I used a Workmate for quite a while.  You can get a lot done with one.Using 2 pieces of 1/2" x 8" x 32" plate steel I made my current welding table.  The plates are parallel and separated by 4" in between for clamps.  Top is framed underneath with simple angle iron tacked to the bottom of the plate.  Legs are 2x2" square tube.  Feet are some cut up flat plate welded to the bottom of each leg, and holes drilled for casters.  I think I have maybe $25 in drop offs for the steel and maybe $20 in casters.  Space in the middle can be filled with a 4" wide piece of 1/2" plate.  A vise is clamped to one end, and short pieces of 2x2" are tacked to the legs to make holes for tools.  Underneath is a framed out shelf.You really don't need a lot if you are willing to get on your knees and to improvise.
Reply:Wow, great ideas guys!  I like the idea of using an old steel wheel as the base for a small table.  I have a 13" wheel off a Ford Aspire kicking around (was going to use it as a spare for a car I no longer have) that I could use.  Maybe weld a pipe straight up through the center up if, 36" in height-ish, then put a "table top" on that?I also like the idea of using a table saw table...in fact, I think my father in law has an old table saw that either doesn't work or he just isn't using.  I might have to ask him about that.I'm in Central Maine btw.
Reply:I just went to my local industrial surplus place, southbend Industrial in clover, SC, they are the largest ebay seller in the carolinas and have tons of metal all shapes and sizes and thicknesses, even picked up some old 150 and 80 welding tanks to swap out at the local TSC. One day I hope to pick up a nice metal lathe
Reply:My welding table is small, made from junk, and  is fine for most projects. It was made from coin-op washer meter boxes.Larger projects, I roll out the "wheel"  (also free found scrap.)Anything really large gets laid out and levelled  on the driveway.Last edited by lilredex; 12-31-2012 at 06:49 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by Machine_PunkIf all you need is 2'X2', I would think you could make a trip to your local metal scrap dealer and come away with the materials for less than $50.  Get 1/2" plate for the top, a section of tube for the central leg, and some smaller tube or angle stock for a base (or an old, steel truck rim).It will take a little effort on your part (sanding the rust off with 80-grit paper in DA sander) and fabricating the table.In the $125 range, look at the little Strong Hand Nomad welding table...a commercially-available option for small and portable.http://www.stronghandtools.com/pdf_ctlg/21_nomad.pdfKev
Reply:Originally Posted by lilredexMy welding table is small, made from junk, and  is fine for most projects. It was made from coin-op washer meter boxes.
Reply:At the LWS, there is an oversized folding "TV" tray looking Welding table. It is 3/8" by 24" by 28" with 3/4" conduit looking legs.I'll try to find some sort of picture later?
Reply:Originally Posted by lilredexLarger projects, I roll out the "wheel"  (also free found scrap.)Anything really large gets laid out and levelled  on the driveway.
Reply:Two Home Depot saw horses, piece of cheap plywood on top and you're done.   Want a metal top to conduct electricity for a small piece of metal you're going to weld?  Slide a piece of 1/8" steel on top of the plywood.   I've used a 12"x12" piece on the edge of the plywood for a long time when I first started out.     At least this will get you off the ground and on your feet.  If you want a nice table that's small and doesn't break your back, you can use 1/4" steel just fine.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:I used a "Lifetime" plastic folding table fitted with a piece of 3/4" plywood and a 18" x 2' 1/4" steel plate for over a year.  I just welded a piece of 1/4" rod to the side of the plate so it hung over for ground clamp placement.  Then I got a barely used Miller 60SX off eBay complete for $600.The old tablesaw idea is great.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:The table is made with those same brackets for verticals, and the horizontals are made from those shelving units with the 'keyholes' punched out every inch or so. I made a little jig for drilling holes in both verts & horizs and its all bolted together with 5/16 bolts,(32 nuts, bolts, washers, total) so I can completely dissamble it. It is 32" h x 32" w x 16" d and a 3/4" plywood top w/ a 1/2" x 19" x 15" steel plate on top of it. I welded up a frame with legs that is 6" h. It sits 'upside down', the legs point up, and I have a 1/2" x 24" x 16" plate (with two studs welded on the bottom that fit into two of the legs sticking up[!]), the plate slip-slides (not anymore) very easily on the lil table. This makes table height at about 37", which is about perfect for me 99% of the time.The bottom 'shelf' is high enough that I position the tig pedal under it with room for my foot. Attached Images
Reply:The table is made with those same brackets for verticals, and the horizontals are made from those shelving units with the 'keyholes' punched out every inch or so. I made a little jig for drilling holes in both verts & horizs and its all bolted together with 5/16 bolts,(32 nuts, bolts, washers, total) so I can completely dissamble it. It is 32" h x 32" w x 16" d and a 3/4" plywood top w/ a 1/2" x 19" x 15" steel plate on top of it. I welded up a frame with legs that is 6" h. It sits 'upside down', the legs point up, and I have a 1/2" x 24" x 16" plate (with two studs welded on the bottom that fit into two of the legs sticking up[!]), the plate slip-slides (not anymore) very easily on the lil table. This makes table height at about 37", which is about perfect for me 99% of the time.The bottom 'shelf' is high enough that I position the tig pedal under it with room for my foot.-corne-
Reply:Here is the link for the folding table from MILLERhttp://www.millerwelds.com/products/...ns/arcstation/
Reply:Originally Posted by joecool85Neat, how large and thick is that top?  Looks like I'll be making a table out of an old school desk.  Top will probably be 30" x 18" @ 1/4" thick.
Reply:Originally Posted by RhymesWithBobDo you have anything in the barrel to keep it from being too top heavy?
Reply:@ joecool 85, Great ideas listed above.  Plenty of options.  A few add-ons:~ Workmate a la Rod J's suggestion.  Great product and acutally use mine as the structure for a custom reloading table.  Sturdy, portable, inexpensive~ Saw Horses a la SuperArc's recommendation.  Order, or visit (closest store to ME is in Stoughton, MA)  a butcher block or heavy-duty plastic top from IKEA. Great work surface.  Your 110v, 50A, rig welding on 1/8in. HRS should tax the top~ www.searchtempest.com:  a cool CraigsList aggregator.   Search, search, and search for deals.  Material and tools.  If I think of any 'new' ideas, I'll hit ya.  Shaka!Last edited by ManoKai; 02-04-2013 at 07:43 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by Machine_PunkIn the $125 range, look at the little Strong Hand Nomad welding table...a commercially-available option for small and portable.http://www.stronghandtools.com/pdf_ctlg/21_nomad.pdfKev
Reply:Northern Tools has a welding table for $75 in their catalog. I thought about buying one for extra area.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:If you want to use a wheel for a base, here is an idea.  I am building a tool tree to hold my tools when I am fabricating.  It is a 16" wheel I got for free from a tire shop.  It has a slight bend where it hit the curb. Attached ImagesLast edited by Crabo; 02-09-2013 at 09:17 AM.
Reply:Here's my version I thought of, the plate is 6 inches off the other table, held up by scrap 1/2 in gal pipe, with carrige bolts. Attached Images BEER ? YES, I'LL HAVE ONE!!!Well, I decided to go with a 30" x 18" piece of 1/8" steel on top of that old school desk.  I removed the wooden top and welded on the sheet steel using 1/16 7014 on my 50 amp welder.  Actually worked alright.  I tried it with 1/16 6013 and couldn't even get it to stick!  Just made a mess...Pics will come once it is finished and painted...could be a while, still only averaging 40F for a high here in Maine.**edit**I should note that I did preheat the 1/8" steel to 500F (verified with infrared temp gun).  It seemed to take the weld much better that way.
Reply:Originally Posted by joecool85I'm looking to buy or build a cheap welding table.  I only have a 50amp 110v stick welder, so I'm obviously working on smaller pieces.  Something with a flat surface maybe 2' x 2' would work, larger is ok.  I'm thinking about using a gas grill, taking off the "grill" portion and welding on a piece of 1/8" plate steel for the top.  I've not yet located a junk grill though.Anything else I could make one out of?
Reply:I know, I know, old thread (but not as old as Zap), but a cheap welding table.............wooden home-brew table with 4x4 legs, proper bracing, and an OSB top.  I built one for my first welding table in 07 or so.  Wasn't til a couple years later that I bought a $50 chunk of steel to sit on top of that, didn't even cover the top of the 5x3 wooden table.  Shortly thereafter, I got a big chunk of plate from a neighbor, and used that as the top on the fab table for a couple years.  Last year, I built frames for pieces of plate, and the wooden tables (on casters) are just mobile counter tops now, that let stuff sit on them too long.-AaronJet 17.5" Drill Press1942 South Bend 16x84 Lathe1980s Miller 320A / BP --- 2013 Power Mig 2562012 Jet 7x12 Horizontal BandsawVictor O/A Setup
Reply:My buddy got a old tablesaw with cast iron top off craigslist. It seems to work for him.PROUD   AMERICAN
Reply:I've used an ironing board before. It was better than working on the ground but not by much.
Reply:I have a 13" wheel off a Ford Aspire kicking around that I could utilization. Possibly weld a channel straight up through the core up if, 36" in tallness ish, then put a "table top" on that? And i like the thought of utilizing a table saw table...in actuality, I suppose my father in law has an old table saw that either doesn't work or he simply isn't utilizing. Without a doubt not a substantial job unit, however ideal for the light client or weekend warrior. The main downside is that there is a considerable measure of equipment that you need to sort out.
Reply:For a long time I used a 16"x20"x1/8" stainless plate supported by two wooden horses as a welding table.Then I picked up a 36"x6' metal table at auction for $6Sure I would like to have a 1" thick 4x4' table with holes in it for a clamp system and all that but my table works just fine.
Reply:Originally Posted by flux core joehere is a table i made out of an old grate i found and 4 pieces of square tubing https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/...28454466_n.jpg