Folding Welding Table Build

[quadrcr87]

Some of you may have seen my post in the welding projects thread already but I decided to make a build thread as well.

Project Plan:
36” x 30” 3/16” steel top
1” .1875 tubing frame
4” lip on perimeter for easy clamping
Folding design to clear floor space when not in use
Reasonably portable to move around garage
Utilize old chop saw stand

The welder: Lincoln Pro Mig 140 w/ HF stand
.025 solid wire and 75/25 mix gas


The old Hitachi saw base as a starting point




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[quadrcr87]

Fist step was to finish welding some joints that they missed in manufacturing. A good opportunity to practice my welding since it’s been a few years since I used gas and not flux core.





Next I added a 1” tube to support the legs. The opposite side already had a strap to allow it to clear when collapsed.




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[quadrcr87]

Set the 3’ x 4’ plate on top to layout my cut. I was happy to find that the table was very stable even at this size!

Wishing I had a plasma cutter I attacked it with a Dewalt angle grinder with a cut off disk. It took a full disk but it got it done.

Next up was cutting a 45* miter in the 1” tubing. Wishing I had a chop saw but the cut off disk got it done. I tried the sawsall but was struggling to keep the blade square. I'm sensing a theme here...need more tools. I see a dry cut saw in my future.


After a process of cutting/grinding/fitting/welding it started to take shape. I spaced the center supports at the same width as my folding table frame. This way the tubes will lay parallel and I can just weld the seam. First ill attach it to the table top.


Drilled some small vent holes before closing it up


I ground the welds on 1 side flush to mate up to the top plate. I can see a little bow in the top but it’s close enough for my work. Haha



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[quadrcr87]

Now onto the fun part welding the top to the support frame. I made the frame and solid enough that I can remove it from the folding frame in case I decide to make it a fixed table by building a new base later on.


I need to pick up some more clamps. I'm thinking the vice grip style with the long throat to get closer to the center of the table.




It looks like I got plenty of heat in the welds but my welds were not consistent in size. I decided it was unnecessary to measure and mark the length of each bead so I went for it.

As you can see despite my efforts in clamping I have a slight dip in the center of the plate.




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[quadrcr87]

To finish up the welding and attach to the base I had to lay it on the ground and set the folding frame on top.

Welding the tubes together


Folded up as one unified table. It’s a beast but it is portable. Just watch your toes when you lay it down to fold up!


All finished and ready for some welding projects. I still plan to put a coat of black paint on the legs and bottom. I may even add some adjustable feet if I’m feeling crazy.




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[captain14]

Nice project to share with the membership.

But you know the rules that each new project requires at least one new tool to complete it. ( or three or four)

 

[Kaizen]

Nice build. How does the folding work out? Do you have to put it on the side and then fold?


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[quadrcr87]

Nice build. How does the folding work out? Do you have to put it on the side and then fold?

It folds up really easy but I do need to lay it on its side first. I tried to collapse it from the standing position and the top is just too heavy to do it safe and keep all 10 fingers. The threaded clamp that holds it when setup is really solid. I may add something to hold it when collapsed as well.

Nice project to share with the membership.

But you know the rules that each new project requires at least one new tool to complete it. ( or three or four)

Don't worry I followed the rules and bought some new tools! I just underestimated how many I needed.

 

[captain14]

Just a small cost Add on.

So What’s the first Project to weld on the table?

 

[quadrcr87]

Just a small cost Add on.

So What’s the first Project to weld on the table?

Making a tool holder for the side of my welding cart, a mig gun holder and some cattails for my wife to put in her garden.


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[kursplat]

man, same welder and cart ...now i'll need to build one of these too

 

[FallibleFlyer]

Very cool table! I had been debating making a folding table for a few years just never got to it in time Interested to see how it holds up after some use. Nice clean work btw

 

[larry4406]

Nice job!

What is the round disc with threaded stud welded to it?

Maybe add some rollers to the edge so you can push it like a wheelbarrow while folded.

 

[BPJOOP93]

What’s up with the “vent” holes? What’s the purpose? Nice by the way

 

[Stooge]

Nice job,I like it! And I want one!

Though I feel like this is the type of project I would have a measurement slightly off somewhere and it would just be a wobbling, rickety mess

 

[quadrcr87]

man, same welder and cart ...now i'll need to build one of these too

So far the welder has worked out very well. I bought it from a pawn shop in brand new condition and saved a bunch.

Very cool table! I had been debating making a folding table for a few years just never got to it in time Interested to see how it holds up after some use. Nice clean work btw

Thanks, I expect it to hold up well. You will see it put to use in future projects.

Nice job!

What is the round disc with threaded stud welded to it?

Maybe add some rollers to the edge so you can push it like a wheelbarrow while folded.

The round disk is actually the knob that you tighten down to lock the table when it is setup. It threads into a block of steel and the treaded rod clamps down on the tube when it is saddled against the angle iron piece. I thought about wheels but it's easy enough to carry that I don't think I'll add any. I may add a handle at the balance point though.

What’s up with the “vent” holes? What’s the purpose? Nice by the way

The vent holes are drilled in any tube that will be fully welded on both ends. It gives the pressure and gas inside the tube a place to escape to prevent a blow out on your final weld closing in the tube. Probably not necessary on my ugly welds but it's something I've learned to do along the way.

Nice job,I like it! And I want one!

Though I feel like this is the type of project I would have a measurement slightly off somewhere and it would just be a wobbling, rickety mess

The easiest way to start it to find an old saw base like I did. The new saws use much lighter aluminum stands most of the time so you can probably find the old heavy steel ones cheap. Maybe a garage sale or craigslist.

 

[audioworks04]

This is a great idea, sold my large very heavy welding table when I moved due to lack of space at the new house and have missed it ever sense. Even have a brand new stand that would be perfect for this. Thank you!

 

[quadrcr87]

I am reviving my thread from the dead as I have finally painted the table. It has served me very well and I am still really liking the design. I rarely collapse the table but it is nice when I need the space to work on my truck. I find myself using this table for multiple things in addition to welding. The only shortcoming that it has is that the surface is not perfectly flat. This makes welding up large frames a challenge but I wouldn’t want to add weight with a thicker top.

Just cleaned it up with a quick wire wheel. I was surprised it hadn’t really rusted much in the Midwest humidity.

Self etching primer

Final coat was a grey hammer tone from rustoleum

I can finally say this thing is finished and it matches my new workbench frame

Here is the workbench I just completed this week. The full build thread is in my sig below.


While I had the paint out I cleaned up and painted my welding tool rack. I designed this to be able to mount to the welder cart or the welding table. I find it spends 99% of its time on the welder.



Thanks for following along!


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