Welding table finally done! - Pics

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I have been planning this table for about 6 months.  Naturally when I finally get the money together to buy the plate, the price of steel goes through the roof.  It's only money right?  I can make more.It's a 5' x 10', 34 inches high.  I cut 6 slots on one end to use for clamping, and based it on the clamp used on the Miller ArcStation.  For each slot I cut one 1-1/4" hole and one 3/4" hole, all with a bi-metal holesaws.  I then used oxy-propane and a track cutter to cut the slot between the two holes, the slot is 3/4 wide.  I used 2-5/16" hitch balls for the adjustable feet.  My shop floor is less than level.  I welcome all comments, and respectful critiques.  Thanks!Jay DavisAWS-CWIC-60 Specialty Welding ContractorLoving husband, and father of two boys (
Reply:That is a sharp lookin set up.  Might want to consider a couple of reciever tubes to mount a cut off or bench grinder or even a vise and call it good.  How thick is your top plate?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:Nice looking table.You should gusset those legs though.The hitch ball feet look great, but if you slam a lot of weight on the table you may crack your floor, they have a very small foot print PSI-wise.Buy American, or don't whine when you end up on the bread line.
Reply:Nice looking table. My only thought would be about deflection in the middle with weight on  the table.Harold MulderMiller 211 AutosetHTP 201 Invertig with water coolerHardinge Cataract Quick Change Lathe
Reply:Nice looking table, Im agree with WeldingMachine, because pressure = force / area, and the area you have under the hitch balls its really small, increasing the pressure on the floor.I thinks you should also tie the legs, maybe something like this could work.Diego BelloMillerMatic 180 Im just learning how to weld!  Bogota, Colombia. South America
Reply:Just curious, did you get any warpage when you cut those slots? I like your design. I too, would question the unsupported legs but you know better than anyone how stable it is.
Reply:Very nice. I would make a big shelf under to tie the legs together and, you can never have enough storage. Also I would add at least one more set of legs in the center. I would hate to see that nice piece of steel sag."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:Love the design.Great idea about the slots. Get a picture from below and post to see if it needs more support.Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:I really like the trailer hitch ball idea as feet. That is actually a pretty large contact area for those people who think ahead enough to install leveling adjusters on the legs of their tables. You can always place a 6x6" piece of 3/8 plate on the floor under each foot to spread the load. But I doubt you be placing anything that heavy on your table.
Reply:Definately looks out of place in your shop jbyrd.  You should let me take it off your hands to fix the situation.Very nicely done and I imagine you'll be making a modification or two based on some of the ideas and suggestions given as time goes on to make it even better. MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:All great comments and critiques guys.  Thanks for everyones input.Rbeckett:   The reciever tubes is on the list of additions to the table.  I have the receiver tube and will be adding two, one on each end.  Plate is 1/2 A36.  Cost: 650.00Weldingmachine:     I considered gussets, but I wanted to keep this table as clean as possible giving me as much space as possible underneath to roll things or store.  It is VERY stable, so I feel confident at this stage.haroldmulder:   Glad you brought up the deflection issue and I considered that in my assembly.  What I did was set the plate on the preassembled frame, positioned it where I wanted it.  I then looped two chains lengthwise over the table, spaced about 3 feet apart, The chains each ran through a seperate 2x6 (8 inch length) tube on the floor, I then set an 8 inch I-Beam on top of the 2x6 tubes.  I set an air-over-hydraulic jack on top of the I-beam, set a 4x4 wood post on top of the jack which rested on a 3x3x1/4 square tube run widthwise under the table in the center and then bowed the plate and the frame ever so slightly, about 1/8 inch prior to welding the plate.  With the frame and plate cambered I then stitch welded the perimeter of the plate to the frame every 10".  Then released the jack.  The table has approximate 1/16inch bow over the length of the table (10ft).  My theory is that with the slight camber in the table the metal would have to overcome considerable compression to deflect from the apex of the current bow.  I had 3 guys stand in the very center of the table (aprox. 600+ lbs) and I can't see any deflection.  I feel comfortable with that.dfbello:    If I have to tie the legs together, your suggestion is the way I would do it versus others. It would allow me the most free space under the table while stabilizing.  We'll see how my table reacts over time but I feel good thus far.trapperjohn:   Nope no discernable warping.  I really took my time cutting the slots.  I made the two cuts and then let it cool down, cut another slot, let it cool down...rinse repeat.stick-man:    If for some reason the table does sag, I will try adding one leg directly in the center of the table to still allow the free space under the table.  Reebs:   Here is a pic of the reinforcement I did on the bottom.jimmy-pop:   Yeah I never thought of the contact are and the weight of the table in my design (thats why I post this stuff here, your collective knowledge!).  The table weighs approx 1400 lbs, so 350 per leg, the balls have a circular area of approx 1.25 sq inches.   So whats that 280 lbs per sq. inch?  Am I right in that thinking?DuaneB55:   Yeah I got a lot ideas from this site and really appreciate everyeones comment and suggestions.Jay DavisAWS-CWIC-60 Specialty Welding ContractorLoving husband, and father of two boys (
Reply:You would count the actual area of the balls in contact with the floor.A perfect sphere would have a lot of PSI.
Reply:Originally Posted by BlueweldersYou would count the actual area of the balls in contact with the floor.A perfect sphere would have a lot of PSI.
Reply:Should be right.Forgot to say, nice looking table.
Reply:You should have no saging problems with that set up. Nice job.I love the slots.Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:Nice table!Miller Maxstar 150 STLMiller Trailblazer 302Lincoln Classic 3DMiller Suitcase x-treme 8VSMiller Spoolmatic 30A
Reply:Just a thought If you need more contact area with the balls stick a big washer or plate scraps on the bottom (washers) and away ya go..Miller thunderbolt 250Decastar 135ERecovering tool-o-holic ESAB OAI have been interested or involved in Electrical, Fire Alarm, Auto, Marine, Welding, Electronics ETC to name a just a few. So YES you can own too many tools.
Reply:Maybe I missed it, but how thick was the top?Dude great work. I am JEALOUS   Make sure to get some pics of it in action. We are on our way to being farmers! Our site is always under construction so check back often for updates.  http://www.philosophyfarmstyle.com/
Reply:Awesome table. The slots and dogs are really cool. Instead of tying the legs together underneath I would consider welding in two short 45% corner braces from each leg to the top frame. Triangulation would stabilize and still allow larger items to be rolled under the table. On my table I put some shelves in and some pegs for hanging tools, then I realized that I could have saved floor space by rolling my welding carts under the table. Hind sight is 20/20. Wish I could afford to build a table like that. Sweet.MLM
Reply:That's a very nice table. I'll give you $1000.00 for it but you have to pay for shipping it here!You get what you put in and people get what they deserve...
Reply:Great table, and workshop as well!Century AC/DC 250 Amp & Midstates 300 Amp Industrial AC stick welders, Century Flux core 80 amp. wire feed welder  Harris Oxy-Acet. cutting & welding outfit:SEE MY INFORMATIVE VIDEOS AT http://www.youtube.com/user/alpho52
Reply:Nice looking table. Idea of Gussets very good. Like idea of shelf under  the table top for storage. Nice idea also of using the trailer balls (I have 50 or more of those things around my farm shop)Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:THAT is a great looking table! I wish I had room for something that big but I will have to go with maybe 2' x 4'.Where do you get those clamps? I need some of them for my drillpress.thanks,dave
Reply:Excellent design!  I am in the process of designing my table, and now you may have me re-thinking some of my design.Miller Synchrowave 180 SDLincoln PowerMig 255Hypertherm Powermax 45Torchmate 2x2Victor O/A
Reply:I am really digging how you did your feet, the hitch balls are a great idea.Thanks for the comments guys.The clamp is from Miller.  It is used on their ArcStation table.  Its about 45 bucks.  Looking at it, I will be making my own from here on out from some bessey clamp clones.  Will update when I get them designed.Jay DavisAWS-CWIC-60 Specialty Welding ContractorLoving husband, and father of two boys (