finally building my table

[Themadangler]

finally building my table w/ pics

Been reading and learning for a bit now and I finally decided after gathering tons of ideas to build my own welding table. Decided to build off a 2'x4'x3/8" plate that I picked up for 70 bucks. The 36' of 2"x11 gauge square tube set me back about 75 buck and the casters/ bolts were $75. I don't have a band saw or cut off saw yet so the old 4.5" angle grinder with cut off wheel did all the cutting. I've incorporated one 2" hitch mount location so far but will add another before putting the top on. See my messy garage..

 

[Kaasdief]

Very nice, please keep posting on your progress.

 

[930dreamer]

Nice work on the table.

 

[TerryH]

Looking good!!!

 

[Journaler]

Wow, just an angle grinder? Now that's what I call determination!

 

[RLYoung]

Wow, just an angle grinder? Now that's what I call determination!

This.

I'd still be fabbing things on the ground if that's what I had to use!

 

[Themadangler]

Wow, just an angle grinder? Now that's what I call determination!

Heck yea. I was going to buy a hand held band saw but decided it would be too difficult to cut 45 degree angles accurately with it, not that I cut any for the table anyway. Then was going to purchace a chop saw but hesitated and the sale was over so I decided there wasn't much difference between the chop and grinder. Both make noise and mess. Already had the angle grinder so I went at it. Recently started looking at the swag off road band saw table so I may go that route if I can get a saw on sale.

 

[Journaler]

I usually use my portaband to make a rough cut, then use my disc/belt sander to make the cut closer to the actual desired angle.

 

[Themadangler]

I usually use my portaband to make a rough cut, then use my disc/belt sander to make the cut closer to the actual desired angle.

That's what I would have done if I have a portaband or band saw of some sort. Working on getting one now.

 

[gte718p]

I just built my table last week. The HF metal circular saw is a thing of beauty. I have been going the angle grinder thing for years. A metal saw even a crappy HF one is so far superior it is not funny.

If your top is not squared up the way you want it, the circular saw will cut 3/8th.

 

[pipsters]

That is a killer price on metal tubing, here a 20' strip is $60

 

[MoonRise]

Cool.

Hey, you from Joisey? I'm from Joisey! (saw the boat tag)

And btw, just what is a "thema" and why are you dangling it? (from your screen-name thema-dangler)

 

[Themadangler]

That is a killer price on metal tubing, here a 20' strip is $60

it was all hot rolled if that makes a difference. my first steel purchase so I was just happy to stay under 200.00 for everything.

 

[Themadangler]

Cool.

Hey, you from Joisey? I'm from Joisey! (saw the boat tag)

And btw, just what is a "thema" and why are you dangling it? (from your screen-name thema-dangler)

Born and raised in dirty jersey. Hopefully I'll die in Florida. The mad angler is the screen name I use on the fishing websites since I don't get to fish enough. I didn't create an original garage name

 

[Themadangler]

I just built my table last week. The HF metal circular saw is a thing of beauty. I have been going the angle grinder thing for years. A metal saw even a crappy HF one is so far superior it is not funny.

If your top is not squared up the way you want it, the circular saw will cut 3/8th.

Thanks for the info. I'll have to hit HF over the weekend to check it out. Are you talking a chop saw or circular saw?

 

[pipsters]

Re: finally building my table w/ pics

Are those the Steelex casters on Amazon as well? They look familiar - I just ordered 8 of the 5" stem ones.

 

[Themadangler]

Re: finally building my table w/ pics

Are those the Steelex casters on Amazon as well? They look familiar - I just ordered 8 of the 5" stem ones.

No, picked them up at tractor supply co.

 

[Themadangler]

Got some more work done today on the table. Added some levelers since I noticed that my garage floor isn't exactly level. Primed and painted it as well. Still trying to decide if I should bolt the plate or a few small welds on each You can see my old plywood "plate" and the new 3/8" steel plate.
Can anyone identify the grinder or give suggestions on where to look for parts. I need left side nut and flange that holds the grinder wheel on??

 

[Themadangler]

Just about done my table. Got the plate on. Decided to tack a few 2 in wellds on each side. The 3/8 plate still appears flat enough for my hobby usage. Still got to add some more angle for another clamp holder and some rod to hold grinder wheels. Still trying to decide between expanded metal or diamond plate for the bottom shelf. For those that have followed my build, I ran into a deal on a chop saw finally. No more angle grinder to cut. Was in sears over the weekend and saw a clearance sign with one 14 in chop saw left for 135.00. If that wasn't good enough, I got it home and noticed a piece was already broken inside the box and the blade wasn't properly aligned so it would hit the opening in the base when cutting. I took it back 1st thing in the am and tried to return for another, but just my luck, it was the last. Talked to the manager who looked at it and gave me a even better discount. By the time I left, I had a chop saw and 2 year warrranty for 107.00 Can't beat that. May not be a Dewalt, but for 87.00, I'll take it.

 

[TerryH]

The table is ooking good!!! Congrats on getting the chop saw as well. Glad you don't have to cut everything with the angle grinder any more. I'm going to do aluminum diamond plate on the lower shelf of my table but the expanded metal would be cool too. I'm just a sucker for anything shiny.

 

[Responder]

Can't beat $87 for a chopsaw! Nice score!

 

[Themadangler]

The table is ooking good!!! Congrats on getting the chop saw as well. Glad you don't have to cut everything with the angle grinder any more. I'm going to do aluminum diamond plate on the lower shelf of my table but the expanded metal would be cool too. I'm just a sucker for anything shiny.

Thanks. I'm leaning towards the diamond plate but will likely use steel since its cheaper.

 

[TerryH]

Thanks. I'm leaning towards the diamond plate but will likely use steel since its cheaper.

I'm cheating. I have a couple of sheets of used ATP that I removed from a trailer floor so I'm trying to figure out places to use it.

 

[gte718p]

Thanks. I'm leaning towards the diamond plate but will likely use steel since its cheaper.

At least at my scrap yard, steel is steel. $.35 a lb. I just picked up a 5'x10' sheet of diamond for less then $100. If you have a scrap yard near by check it out.

 

[Themadangler]

At least at my scrap yard, steel is steel. $.35 a lb. I just picked up a 5'x10' sheet of diamond for less then $100. If you have a scrap yard near by check it out.

I was pricing the diamond plate vs steel at the distributator I have been using. I'll have to check around at the scrap yards in my area.