Welding table?

[bad luck]

Does anyone have any suggestions on what kind of welding table to buy or build? I have a mig welder that I bought a couple years ago, the kids wanted to learn to weld and build stuff, but they never even turned it on. So I guess I better learn to do it myself. And my plywood topped work table wouldn't be to good for this. Thanks for any ideas.

[4.3LXJ]

Robert, a good welding table can be made from expanded steel. You can ground the table and then just set the stuff to be welded on it and achieve a decent ground. Also, splatter just falls through

[bad luck]

Is it really important to have the table dead flat? If anyone would care to post pictures of their tables I would appreciate it.

[Carves]

For $80 at harborfreight... I would just buy these for light jobs.

http://www.harborfreight.com/adjustable-steel-welding-table-61369.html


Seems to be a knockoff of the StrongHand brand $150 table.

Down here the StrongHand sells for $280 :rolleyes:,

.... So I do my welding on the concrete floor or an old steel, desk frame .. :D


Lotsa bling stuff in this link --> https://www.google.com.au/search?q=welding+table&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=sh56U_qnF42jkQX1r4HYDQ&ved=0CDcQsAQ&biw=1680&bih=949#imgdii=_

[4.3LXJ]

Since Carves brought it up, I have never had one. Generally I end up welding stuff that won't fit on a table anyway. But, yes you need a flat one. One thing I used to use for a table is my 12X6' trailer with a steel deck on it. Always worked well for that. But generally if I need to weld something straight or flat I use another piece of steel to clamp the pieces too. Use the inside of angle iron for welding round stuff together

[bad luck]

I didn't know that Carves brought this subject up. I searched for information on welding tables but didn't find anything. I will look some more, thanks for the info.

[gary63]

eastwood auto have some but they are not real cheap but they do sale the top of the table that might help you to build one. http://www.eastwood.com/welders/welding.html?p=2

[bad luck]

For $80 at harborfreight... I would just buy these for light jobs.

http://www.harborfreight.com/adjustable-steel-welding-table-61369.html


Seems to be a knockoff of the StrongHand brand $150 table.

Down here the StrongHand sells for $280 :rolleyes:,

.... So I do my welding on the concrete floor or an old steel, desk frame .. :D


Lotsa bling stuff in this link --> https://www.google.com.au/search?q=welding+table&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=sh56U_qnF42jkQX1r4HYDQ&ved=0CDcQsAQ&biw=1680&bih=949#imgdii=_

I will check Harbor Freight then, I guess I'll use the floor for now also. I don't know why, but your post didn't show up on my laptop. But Steves later post did. But now on my desk computer I can see your post. Strange stuff going on with my laptop I think. Thanks for the information. I did see one of the Stronghand tables, they look good.

[Carves]

I'm surprised there hasnt been, quite a few hints tossed in here yet for you ??


This is what I'm workin on at the moment ... tis a bit of a detour from the standard flat table idea.

Will have lots of access around it and plenty of funny clamping angles available.

Horizontal Bar will be drilled to allow bolts rather than just clamps.

I might even get all fancy and give it some height adjustable feet ... probably using 3 shiny, chrome, towballs .. :D:D


Tis only in the drawing stage until I make up my mind about incorporating a small hydraulic press in it.


http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Tools%20and%20Test/Benches%20-%20Shelving/BashBangWeldHorse01a_zps7eacf0fc.jpg

[bad luck]

That looks to be a good design, if you build it and it works out well, I will copy it. I like that it has only 3 legs. Thanks for the idea.

[gary63]

I like your design but I think I would install recever hole so I could chamnge things around
and add things as I need them. I realy like the 3 leg design it would give more room to work around.

[Carves]

I like your design but I think I would install recever hole so I could chamnge things around
and add things as I need them. I realy like the 3 leg design it would give more room to work around.


3 legs work good for stability and work space ... I had a similiar one, 8ft long, made out of farm fab scraps, railway track, and plow discs for feet,

... and left the ugly thing in the hay shed - when I moved to town .. :D:D

Thought about receiver hitches - seems to be a popular idea these days.

... but for my needs, just being able to slide and bolt/clamp stuff on their (yellow in the piccy) mounting plates, will be adequate.

Its probably more of an ... odd job, table - than a dedicated welding table.

[gary63]

sound like you have a good iedle in all any table is better than non. I have a work table made out of sq.tubing and wood that I welded in receiver hitch holes in the corners . that way I can drop in a vice or a small bender or a grinder or what ever I need when not in use I store the stuff in a cabinet. but I like that 3 lag. do you mine if I use desing and change it alittle?

[cpttuna]

I wanted to include pics but did not want to take an hour to clean the table( I have not welded in about 6 weeks so the table is a mess). It is made out of stainless because that is what I had on hand. I made it quickly so it is not exactly square. However it is functional.
It has wheels so that it can be moved. It has two vices- this comes in handy at times. It has a shelf for vice grips ,welding gloves and other junk. On the side I fabed some holders for the electrode containers.

[cpttuna]

had some time today so welding station got cleaned for a new photo session.

[bad luck]

Something like yours is what I had in mind, what size is your top Earl? And is it big enough for most things? I am running out of room in the garage, so I didn't want anything like 4x8. By the way I like the look of yours. Thanks

[cpttuna]

I will try and measure it tomorrow.I have 20 feet of cable so things like my utility trailers I just get close. It is ok for most of what I do. I have used a stepladder to hold long pieces level occasionally.

[cpttuna]

The top of the welding table is 33"X 21". the legs are 37". Remember, it was made this way because this was the size of may scrap pieces and i don't like trying to cut ss if i don't have to.

[Carves]

That looks to be a good design, if you build it and it works out well, I will copy it. I like that it has only 3 legs. Thanks for the idea.


All done bar some grinding and paint.

Not quite as pretty as the sketchup drawing tho .. :D:D

It will also have a 2ft x 1ft x 5/16 plate, as one of the removeable "accessories" ... so Ive got something to tack small jobs together on.


http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Tools%20and%20Test/Benches%20-%20Shelving/Tripod09b_zps9c5b39d7.jpg

[4.3LXJ]

All done bar some grinding and paint.

Not quite as pretty as the sketchup drawing tho .. :D:D

It will also have a 2ft x 1ft x 5/16 plate, as one of the removeable "accessories" ... so Ive got something to tack small jobs together on.


http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Tools%20and%20Test/Benches%20-%20Shelving/Tripod09b_zps9c5b39d7.jpg

Aren't you supposed to just hold it out in the air and tack with eyes shut?

[Rocco83]

I usually hold it as far away from me and squeeze my eyes shut while turning my head. Fire and electricity are dangerous!

[bad luck]

Hey Carves, that looks good. Keep us updated on how it works out for you o.k.? Or if you decide to modify it. I still haven't decided how to make mine, I am hoping this works out well for you. Thanks

[Carves]

Hey Carves, that looks good. Keep us updated on how it works out for you o.k.? Or if you decide to modify it. I still haven't decided how to make mine, I am hoping this works out well for you. Thanks


Made up some quick and nasty, vise and grinder mounts for it today,

Ended up with 1/2" thick, approx, scrap plate for a welding top ... even came with handy clamp holes .. :D ... Dont think I will bother with bolt mounts for it tho ... just clamp it as required.


Nice to be able to walk around the vice/job whilst welding and grinding again ... Ive been missing the old farmfab monster I had .. :D

Did a coupla little jobs once I had the vise and grinder on ... Whole thing seems pretty good for doing anything I want to do at home,
... I do have access to a proper shop, about ten minutes down the road for any serious jobs.


http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Tools%20and%20Test/Benches%20-%20Shelving/Tripod14b_zps6fd05143.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Tools%20and%20Test/Benches%20-%20Shelving/Tripod16b_zps784b6bd5.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Tools%20and%20Test/Benches%20-%20Shelving/Tripod18b_zps492ecdf7.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Tools%20and%20Test/Benches%20-%20Shelving/Tripod17b_zps2b6c4ce0.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Tools%20and%20Test/Benches%20-%20Shelving/Tripod19b_zps07151b72.jpg

[4.3LXJ]

Tis the Aussie version of the Shopsmith :D

[XJ Wheeler]

I like it! The interchangability looks very useful and like you said you can get around it for different angles. :thumbsup: mate

Sent via messenger pigeon - i talk, he types.

[Dredwolf]

Made up some quick and nasty, vise and grinder mounts for it today,

Ended up with 1/2" thick, approx, scrap plate for a welding top ... even came with handy clamp holes .. :D ... Dont think I will bother with bolt mounts for it tho ... just clamp it as required.


Nice to be able to walk around the vice/job whilst welding and grinding again ... Ive been missing the old farmfab monster I had .. :D

Did a coupla little jobs once I had the vise and grinder on ... Whole thing seems pretty good for doing anything I want to do at home,
... I do have access to a proper shop, about ten minutes down the road for any serious jobs.


http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Tools%20and%20Test/Benches%20-%20Shelving/Tripod14b_zps6fd05143.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Tools%20and%20Test/Benches%20-%20Shelving/Tripod16b_zps784b6bd5.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Tools%20and%20Test/Benches%20-%20Shelving/Tripod18b_zps492ecdf7.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Tools%20and%20Test/Benches%20-%20Shelving/Tripod17b_zps2b6c4ce0.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Tools%20and%20Test/Benches%20-%20Shelving/Tripod19b_zps07151b72.jpg

That looks really good! Before the last "real life altering event", I had chopped the square tube to build a welding table, then piled it in the garage to track down material for the top.....

Months pass.....:bang:

Still don't have a piece of plate for the top, but I need something. Had been looking at the Harbor Freight version of the Strong Hand table, but I like this design.

Jack Olsen's "12 Gauge Garage" used receiver hitches for his vice and grinders, and I had bought some of the stuff to do that, but this looks clean and simple.

[Carves]

Tis the Aussie version of the Shopsmith :D

Whattttt .. ????? ... so you reckon its only fit for turning broom handles .. ?? .. :P .. :D



That looks really good! Before the last "real life altering event", I had chopped the square tube to build a welding table, then piled it in the garage to track down material for the top.....

Months pass.....:bang:

Still don't have a piece of plate for the top, but I need something. Had been looking at the Harbor Freight version of the Strong Hand table, but I like this design.

Jack Olsen's "12 Gauge Garage" used receiver hitches for his vice and grinders, and I had bought some of the stuff to do that, but this looks clean and simple.

It will be good for hobby welding and fiddly jobs I'm thinking.

A nice big 8x4 steel topped bench would be the go .... but wasted on me and my abilities .. :D:D

Thought about using hitch receiver sized SHS for the cross bar so things could be slid in the ends ... but I wanted a pounding surface on one end ... plus, the extra foot of 2" SHS sticking out from the vise/grinder/whatever, can be a pain for storage.

.... and I wanted to use the 3" SHS scrap I had laying around.

... Receiver hitches are good things if you have a big solid bench, or something else solid - to mount them to, imho.

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/carves-oz/Tools%20and%20Test/Benches%20-%20Shelving/Tripod11b_zps314b739e.jpg

[bad luck]

That is looking good! As you said it doesn't take up too much space, and it looks like you could secure projects to it easily. Thanks for the update.