"CAD" drawings of my welding table (2x4 skeleton, $65 BOM)

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Hey all, I decided it was time to at least come up with a plan for a welding table.I scoured 8 pieces of 4.5" x 24" x 1/4" sheet for free the other day, and I thought to myself... "my that would make a fine hobbiest skeleton table top!"So I figured I would work my Google SketchUp muscles and see what I could come up with.Everything is 1x1x1/8" square tube.The spacing is 2" and there is a 2" overhang for clamping all the way around.It is 34" tall.Locally it is $30 for a 24' tube cut in halfThe legs are kind of flimsy but I hope that my supports will be fine for it being stationary.Bill of materials (not including sticks) comes out to about $65 with taxThe only change I can think of, is I will have enough left over to box in the back legs.And I also would like to move the side supports lower (the ones that box in the side legs)Last edited by Taiden; 11-09-2010 at 01:40 PM.
Reply:I'll dig up the dwg's of my old table. I put some holes to accept two other pieces for the table that essentially make it turn into a "C" like table with you the welder standing in the center. Hard to explain but makes it easier to weld pieces that are curved and take up a bit of space. and when you dont need the extensions you simply unhook them and drag them away. I'm having trouble remembering where I saved them, but as I recall I had a ton of pretty sweet drawings done up on my old computer... guess it's time to take it out of the basement and fire it up.I can remember in the 7th grade my mom said "people will offer you drugs" by the 10th grade I was like, "where the hell are these people?"
Reply:Almost forgot, your drawing looks good. Didn't know sketchup worked so well- though it's probably more about the user than the software.I can remember in the 7th grade my mom said "people will offer you drugs" by the 10th grade I was like, "where the hell are these people?"
Reply:Here is try number two! Basically the same materials, but I envision this one being more sturdy. What do you all think? I'm concerned about there being less "triangulation" in the back.This is the downfall of Google SketchUp, there is no way to do load testing like there is in most nice CAD programs.
Reply:1" square tubing in 12 gauge for $30 per 24' length?  It's $19 here in Los Angeles.  You might want to call around a little.Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:You might think about using angle iron for the lower supports and adding a front bar as well. Then you could toss a hunk of 3/4" plywood with a piece of light sheetmetal on it for protection, in there as a shelf for the machine and tools..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by Jack Olsen1" square tubing in 12 gauge for $30 per 24' length?  It's $19 here in Los Angeles.  You might want to call around a little.
Reply:DSW I don't want to add supports for the front since I will be sitting on my stool there
Reply:I would maybe use a little beefier steel for the top part that the flatbar sits on. Maybe some 2-3" x 3/8" angle or heavier square tubing so it will stay as flat as possible. I like the idea though. Be sure & post pics when you finish.
Reply:get some 5/8 or 1/2inch t-nuts for a mill and set the spacing on your top slats so that the t-nuts will just fit through them.. those can be your modular table clamps..Last edited by brucer; 11-09-2010 at 09:47 PM.
Reply:What about using angle instead of square tube for legs and frame? Might be cheaper and/or you could get heavier thickness to beef it up. You design looks kinda like a lite version of the one I just built. Mines 3x3x1/4 angle frame and legs and the 10 plates for the top are 9.5 w x 48" l x 1" thick. The gaps between the plates are 3/4" so I could use 1/2"bolts in the slots for hold-downs. Still haven't taken any shots of it. Promise some to come!200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:anyone got ideas for how I can make the surface of the plates all on one plane?
Reply:Originally Posted by Taidenanyone got ideas for how I can make the surface of the plates all on one plane?