The Not-So-Ultimate-Welding Table!

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Here it is... Rick V's Not-So-Ultimate-Welding Table!A section of open grill walk... on a portable stand!Advantages:1 - CHEAPI got the 3/16T x 1.5W x 17L inch grill slats from an old floor section.  It was already formed into a grill.  Best part = it was Free!I had a beat-up, light-weight portable table ($12 new many years ago)2 - SUPER PORTABLEI can pick up the 17 inch long by 13 inch deep grill and store it flat against a wall.I can fold up the portable table and store it flat against a wall.3 - EFFECTIVEI attach a ground clamp to the far side, drop my work piece on the grill and weld.Work pieces cool quickly because air is able to freely 'chimney up' between the grill slats and pass over the work.4 - NO CLEAN UPUnlike a flat metal table-top surface, I have no problems with weld splatter balls under my work pieces causing them to move at the slightest touch.Beaten-off slag just falls through the grill onto the floor instead of remaining on the table surface.Yep, this works for me!Rick V 1 Airco Heliwelder 3A/DDR3 CTC 70/90 amp Stick/Tig Inverters in Parallel1 Lincoln MIG PAK 151 Oxy-Acet
Reply:Sure beats the heck out of welding on the floor.  I like it.  I can't wait to finish building mine as soon as I can learn to stick weld the square tubing that I have without burning gaping holes through it (or I run out of pieces from practicing).
Reply:That's really cool Rick. Very good point on heat dissipation.That workmate? looks like its seen some serious years of use!AC-180 Lincolnwelder circa '50's
Reply:Originally Posted by chopnhackThat's really cool Rick. Very good point on heat dissipation.That workmate? looks like its seen some serious years of use!
Reply:beats my piece of painted plywood any day...AC-180 Lincolnwelder circa '50's
Reply:grating makes a great table..i have some 3"xh pipe legs 6" channel and  and 4 x 4 x 1/2 angle in stead of the workmate.. no money was spent on the materials.. Attached Images
Reply:Whoa... great looking grate table weldbead!  Next step is a Fire Pit underneath = Barbeque! What's the purpose of the long-handle scrapper?Last edited by Rick V; 10-31-2011 at 04:08 PM.Reason: spell errorRick V 1 Airco Heliwelder 3A/DDR3 CTC 70/90 amp Stick/Tig Inverters in Parallel1 Lincoln MIG PAK 151 Oxy-Acet
Reply:Dammit, your wooden work mate underwent evolution.  The second table is way tougher, now just add a couple of recievers for misc grinders, vices and chop saws and you will have it goin on.  A small jib crane would be nice too, depending on youe ceiling height.  But that would give you a bad azz complete and usable to the max table.  Not like it aint pretty bad now, it could just use getting a little badder if you got the coin.BobI'm spending my Kids inheritance, I dont like him that much anyway!!!!!!Enuff tools to do the job, enough sense to use em.Anybody got a spare set of kidneys?  Trade?
Reply:Originally Posted by RbeckettDammit, your wooden work mate underwent evolution.  The second table is way tougher...Bob
Reply:Originally Posted by Rick VWhoa... great looking grate table weldbead!  Next step is a Fire Pit underneath = Barbeque! What's the purpose of the long-handle scrapper?
Reply:The though occurred to me that a barbeque is not such a bad idea.One of the those big ones - insert a welder grating like we've been using and some protection over the burners.  Cripes, be a great place for preheating a piece and welding say on a hot casting.  Can close the lid for reheat and then weld some more.  Good too for a slow cool down too.  When all's done, you just close the lid and all is protected from the elements.Here's a cool non-grating portable welding table - pretty neat.  He's got a Lincoln AC/DC tucked in there so the table acts as a welding cart too.  Saw it on Kijiji today.Rick V 1 Airco Heliwelder 3A/DDR3 CTC 70/90 amp Stick/Tig Inverters in Parallel1 Lincoln MIG PAK 151 Oxy-Acet
Reply:I built a grated table. The grate is actually a drop from the laser cutter. Product was cu from 3/8" plate and I used the drop to build the table. If you look for laser cutters you should be able to buy a piece like this for scrap or near scrap price. Far cheaper then solid plate due to the reduced volume of steel (all those holes).It is both good and bad. Good in that I can always clamp things on it hang things on it, etc. Bad because I often drop things through like markers and tools. I do have a flat plate I lay on sections form time to time which is nice. The part I really like is the vice set up. I welded on a trailer hitch receiver and welded a plate to the hitch. I plan on welding another receiver sideways so I can use the vice in the other direction.  The really nice thing about the receiver is I have stopped using the levers to rotate the vice. In fact I abused it so much I pulled the bolt through the threads and had to make a full round plate inside to hold the bolt. When I got done I tightened it down with nuts to where it won't move at all. If I need to move the vice I pick it up and drop it right back in the hitch at another angle; and the vice is solid in that position.And if you want the vice out of the way, just lift it out.
Reply:Originally Posted by gow589I built a grated table. The grate is actually a drop from the laser cutter. Product was cu from 3/8" plate and I used the drop to build the table. [/img]
Reply:Originally Posted by Rick VThat is a Great Grate  Table! I think your table bridges the gap between a quick/dirty-garage/outside grate table and a true shop table.  NICE!