Improve My Welding Table

[spankbomb]

So, I built this 4x4 welding table and I'd like to get ideas on how to improve it. I need to add some additional hooks and trays, etc., for clamps, torches, grender, etc., but before that, I need to work on getting it squared. It warped on me while I was originally building it. Do y'all have any recommendations on what I should do short of disassembling it completely?

Thanks!

 

[Piper]

Well, did it warp or is the back bottom horizontal (between the legs) the right length? It seems to me that the union at the front and back top support compared to the legs are certainly not 90*. I'd be detaching the bottom leg rail, cutting/grinding etc the union at the top and squaring the legs. THEN add the rear horizontal leg support. It seems like the left side is pretty good. I'm not doing the work but I think it probably looks worse than it is.

Good luck!

Piper

 

[Ray-CA]

I'd add some stretchers between the legs like you have going across the rear. That should square the legs up. There are a few photos of welding tables on the Forum showing 2-inch receivers mounted under the table with various tools (vises, beading/bending tools, etc.) welded to the tubes that slide into the receiver. Easy way to add tools when needed and have them out of the way when you are done with them.

Ray

 

[rsanter]

add a drawer to hold some of your welding supplies

bob

 

[Torque1st]

It looks like that leg near the stool is way out. Grind the welds out and re-weld. Welds shrink when they cool unless they are solidly restrained.

Casters will not swivel and track smoothly if misaligned. Shims under the bolts can help align them.

It is nice to have a lip on the table top to clamp from but you can get bigger clamps to go around the tubing.

 

[akdiesel]

Did the top or the legs warp? It looks like the rear right side is about an 1"-2" too high at the cross bar, compared to the trim on the back wall.
If it is only out of square less than an inch you could try and use a jack to spread the legs so they are even and then add some more cross bars.
A vise is very usefull tool. You could do the receiver tube or bolt it to the table top.
Add a shelf for scrap metal storage below. Make sure to include atleast a 1" lip edge to keep the metal from rolling/falling off and landing on your feet.

 

[cshabang]

run a small stringer between 2 of the legs..This way all your clamps are in one location (i hate searching for clamps) . Some of the guys i work with have made small shelves under their benches for misc blocking materials for fixturing (you know, that piece of 1 by2 tube to hold your hand while tig welding, or the piece of material you use a stop block...Efficiency in set up is something I'm learning more and more of thanks to these guys.

 

[goodfellow]

Stretchers and cross bracing -- that's what it needs. Use a porta power to get it square and add the neccessary pieces.

Hooks for tools and a lower platform would be good for storing clamps and scrap pieces.