Anyone using the Miller ArcStation (or similar)

[dmw16]

I recently purchased my first welder (gets delivered today) and I had originally planned on getting a 6ft work bench from Craftsman, but it won't fit in my small garage.

As an alternative I was looking at the Miller ArcStation 30. I can add a drawer and welding shield and I think it would make a nice little workbench and weld station.

Can anyone comment? Are there more cost effective options? The Miller one looks top notch as far as quality, but it doesn't come cheap. Of course, it's a pretty serious piece of steel.

Thanks in advance.

 

[zkling]

A place I worked at bought a bunch of them for new weld cells. Uhm, I don't think it was money well spent. The person that bought them had never welded in their life before, and thought they looked spiffy. They did not go over well.

Better options, yes build your own.

 

[dmw16]

A place I worked at bought a bunch of them for new weld cells. Uhm, I don't think it was money well spent. The person that bought them had never welded in their life before, and thought they looked spiffy. They did not go over well.

Better options, yes build your own.

Suppose that's an option. I could order some beefy legs from McMaster and try to source a top. But by the time I buy all the materials I think I'll be into it at least half of buying one.

What were the negatives of the Miller? I'm not a pro welder, don't even plan to be, just need something to work on and if it can double as a work bench then all the better.

 

[zkling]

It's just not all that sturdy, the slots are a more of a pain than they are helpful IMHO. Now granted these were mostly used for tig work.

Get some 4" sqaure tubing for legs, 2" square for bracing and a piece of 1/4" or greater plate for the top.

 

[dmw16]

The slots seem like they could be a pain. But they make a non folding one without slots.

I think if I make my own the trick will be finding a top for a good price locally. Once you ship a 30"x30" piece of 1/4" steel you're in pretty deep.

 

[dr_clyde]

Where are you located OP? Shearing a piece of steel at the local metal supply should be pretty cheap.

 

[03protege]

Where are you located OP? Shearing a piece of steel at the local metal supply should be pretty cheap.

Word. The legs won't be that bad either just use beefy steel tubing, no need to order steel tubing designated as "legs" for 3x more.

For the price they want for the arcstation ($389 is what I am seeing) you should be able to build a MUCH nicer version of it.

 

[greenlizard]

I have an Arcstation. It works fine for my small shop and I find it quite sturdy for welding and clamping modestly sized projects. I do not whale on things with a bfh while on the table, however. It's not sturdy enough for that, imho. The adjustable feet are handy as I have a slight slope to parts of my floor. Mine came with the lower shelf and the flash screen (which I don't need).

Now, having said all that, the reason I have the Arcstation is because it sat as a display in my LWS for almost two years. I happened in the day the manager said "Get it gone today." I paid a bit over $100.

As an alternative, I've found several steel shop tables at the local scrap yards. I paid $20 for a five foot long table with a bent leg. Fixed the leg, treated the rust, painted it and done.

 

[ishiboo]

If you're referring to the folding version, I skipped it and got the Harbor Freight clone of the StrongHand table.

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

It's great.

Note - nobody has been able to duplicate how awesome the StrongHand Adjust-O magnets are, however.

 

[BD1]

Whats your location ??? Check craigs list for welding tables in the tool catorgy and for steel in the general or materials . If you are near me I'll give you some 3'' schedule pipe for the legs.