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My fab table build

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kazlx

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For those that are interested, I figured I would post up my fab table build, which is still under construction, but finally getting close. It is built from a 5/8" plate that I salvaged from a CL table find. I think I paid $100 for the table. Cheaper than I could have bought the steel for. I'm using 5x5x.250 for the legs and 4x4x.250 for the frame, all bought as drops.

Here's how it came home:
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The whole thing had been sitting in a back yard. The frame wasn't even close to level or square and looked like ****. I want something I'm proud of and that will serve me for years to come...and then some.

So I went to work with my Powermax 30 and removed the frame that was welded to the top. At least it was only stitch welded in a few spots. The frame was I-beam, so I just cut the beams down the center and was able to get under them with a pry bar:
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Done and cleaned up a bit:
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Since I got the steel for a song, I decided to splurge. Had the top blanchard ground, then took it to get squared up and have clamping holes put in with a water jet:
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Some frame material:
IMG_2186.jpg


I wanted to do something a little different and like the hitch stock for being able to use the table as an anchor point for different tools. I decided to french the hitch stock through the frame, two on each of the sides. So I went to work with a template, the plasma cutter and a carbide burr.

IMG_2187.jpg


IMG_2201.jpg
 
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kazlx

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Test fitting the hole, which goes through both sides.
IMG_2191.jpg


The hitch stock, drilled and tapped for 1/2-13 set screws:
IMG_2204.jpg


First one fitted and welded:
IMG_2205.jpg


The three done:
IMG_2210.jpg


IMG_2211.jpg


Casters with the 3/8" foot plates. I just bought 6x6 prefabs because they were cheap. Drilled and tapped for bolts to hold the casters. I want them removable if I ever have to fix or replace one. Plus, on my first welding project, I ruined a set of casters by welding them on. They just don't seem to roll correctly afterwards.

1E5AD04A-E793-4FC4-A361-427EF57BD41E-5205-0000048FD6FEF490.jpg


The 4 5x5 legs cut with the foot plates welded on:
EBB29036-FA01-4787-B457-0A483884A7A6-10220-00000B4F52C38FA1.jpg


You get the idea:
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Where I'm at now. Test fitting everything. Getting ready to prep the weld areas and fit the frame together:
FAFB825F-FE04-4531-8923-0E02AED42E10-10220-00000B4F4F78C9B4.jpg
 
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kazlx

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It's still pretty close to 5/8". They only did one side for me. I think they only took off maybe .010. The place I had the grinding done (took a few phone calls to find a place that would grind something that big) straightened the tabletop out as much as they could in a press (a really big f'n press) first. I have to say, they did a great job and the price was right.
 
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A_Pmech

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Looking good!

Don't weld the top to your frame, it will distort your nice blanchard ground surface. I'd secure it with through bolts and set screw height adjusters so you can adjust the top for flatness.
 
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kazlx

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A_Pmech said:
Looking good!

Don't weld the top to your frame, it will distort your nice blanchard ground surface. I'd secure it with through bolts and set screw height adjusters so you can adjust the top for flatness.
Click to expand...

That's the plan...I just need to figure out how I'm going to do it. I was thinking of drilling through the top and using countersunk Allen heads, but I don't have a mag drill. It would be a nightmare with a hand drill.

kald said:
Very Nice! How much did the blanchard grinding and waterjet holes cost?
Click to expand...

Waterjet and Blanchard was ~$400. All said and done I will probably be a little over $1K. Maybe $1200. But I have bought things as I need them, so it's not bad and its one of the things I only want to do once. I have a lathe and hopefully a mill soon, so I plan on making most of my own tooling. The holes were cut at 5/8" so I can use the stronghand fixtures if I want. Their comparable table is $3K+.


jhn9840 said:
One of the best table fabs on this site. Look forward to seeing the finished product.

jhn9840
John
Click to expand...

Thanks. I want something I'm proud to have in my garage. I've made do with welding on the ground and other makeshift tables that I'm really looking forward to it. Some might say over kill, but I only want to do it once and I already have a hundred ideas of things to use it for besides welding. And if I move I can take it with me....
 
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kazlx

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Got sidetracked. Will resume shortly. I bought a bunch of machine tools, a mill, surface grinder, drill presses and multiple tool boxes. Trying to get everything organized since I'm having all the machines delivered tomorrow and I have a tiny garage.
 
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A_Pmech

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kazlx said:
Got sidetracked. Will resume shortly. I bought a bunch of machine tools, a mill, surface grinder, drill presses and multiple tool boxes. Trying to get everything organized since I'm having all the machines delivered tomorrow and I have a tiny garage.
Click to expand...

That rather solves the hole drilling problem then...

If it's a turret mill, just swing the turret around and roll the table up next to the machine.

Now all you need is a lathe and you'll have a basic shop.

:thumbup:
 
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iron_worker

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I'm so jealous of your score it's ridiculous!

Great fab table build too. Keep up the good work ... and YOU ****! lol

IW
 
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R.Anderson

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Definitely worth showing off, makes me want to scrap mine and start over lol. Do you have hold downs yet or in the works?
 
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kazlx

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Ugh...reminders of my lagging project...haha. I actually just finished the inside of my storage shed and started moving stuff from the garage in there. It was so packed from when I demo'd the old shed that I couldn't really work. This will be the first thing I get to once I make some room in the garage.

The holes, if I remember correctly are in a 4x5" pattern. They aren't square, but rectangle, so i could make more odd angles by just dropping in fixturing bars. But I can also make 45 deg angles by skipping holes. Hopefully I can explain better when I get the whole thing together.
 
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kazlx

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Finally making more progress. Having a wife that's 5 months pregnant isn't helping my timeline.

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Zengineer

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I dunno, strap a big engine to it and it should move pretty good... Alternatively, take it to the top of a big hill... ;)

Have you figured out how you are going to attach the top yet?
 
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kazlx

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Zengineer said:
I dunno, strap a big engine to it and it should move pretty good... Alternatively, take it to the top of a big hill... ;)

Have you figured out how you are going to attach the top yet?
Click to expand...

Bouncing around a couple ideas. I think I'm going to set the top on it and see how close to flat it is to help decide how to go about it. After the frame was welded out, the diagonals ended up being within 1/16". I need to shim one of the casters a hair. I want to bolt the top down, but I also may need some sort of adjustment mechanism to get it 'flat'.

I have a working mill now, so it will help if I need to make up some brackets.
 
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rust buster

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Go big or go home! Looks great. I'll ask the dumb question. what are the attachments to the casters with the split rings? I'm building a similar table with a 3/4" top (no holes though), and using casters that are similar but only two of them are swivels. I'm wondering if I'm going to regret that as our tables will weigh close to 800 pounds. Mine will only be 48"x32"
 
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bluebolt

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rust buster said:
Go big or go home! Looks great. I'll ask the dumb question. what are the attachments to the casters with the split rings? I'm building a similar table with a 3/4" top (no holes though), and using casters that are similar but only two of them are swivels. I'm wondering if I'm going to regret that as our tables will weigh close to 800 pounds. Mine will only be 48"x32"
Click to expand...

The rings are for locking the swivel so you have a "fixed" caster, unlock and you have a swivel. Lock one end while moving it until you have to tuck it back in the storage spot where you unlock them to have four swivels. Works great!
 
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rust buster

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that is pure genius. Where'd you get them? Sorry if you already answered that previously
 
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kazlx

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Exactly. They are locks for the swivels. The casters have notches in them. The locker is a spring loaded pin. Pull it out, turn a quarter turn and it locks the wheel. Do it again and it unlocks. Look on the first page for the pic with the wheel up and you'll see what it is. Very simple. I'm hoping it locks out well enough.

I had the wheels built for me at a place right next to my house called Magnus Mobility. I'm sure they would ship. It was roughly $100 for the four casters with locks. They have all the pieces and basically just assemble whatever you want. The guy brought out a couple options, I made my picks and he had everything ready to go in about 30 min.
 
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kazlx

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Can't remember, believe 6 or 800 lbs per caster. It rolls super smooth with just the bare frame. I think the top is another 500ish pounds.
 
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kazlx

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I plan on tying the legs together. I think I'll probably tie the short sides together then a center piece, like a big 'I'. That way I have leg room under both sides. I also plan on a support between the two long beans on the top. I shouldn't need to box the tops of the legs.
 
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rslaback

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Kinda late to help you now but a tip I teach my students whenever we make a table is to not weld the footpads onto the legs until almost last. When you put the foot pads on set the table right side up on the flattest surface you can find. If all the footpads touch all 4 legs, awesome. If not, rock it until you like it on two or 3 pads. Then weld all 4 of them filling in any gaps as needed. This method makes sure that all 4 of your feet will be planar and the table should be rock solid.
 
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