Improving a folding welding table

[takai]

A while ago i picked up a cheap folding welding table like this:

Works well for welding, but the weird a-frame type legs mean it often falls over annoyingly when its supposed to be folded up, or just does the spread leg thing and knocks other stuff over.

Anyone have a reasonable design to improve on this without tons of work?

 

[NUTTSGT]

I made my own out of a two wheeled dolley.


EDIT: Here's a link if you want some ideas.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43628

 

[raferguson]

I have a 2 foot by 4 foot tabletop, 18 ga with 1 inch square tubes as a frame, which I put on two metal folding sawhorses. I have been using it for ten years or more. It is easy to pick up and move around.

Recently I removed the old sheet metal and replaced it with a new piece of 18 ga. By skip MIG welding, I minimized distortion; I should have replaced it years ago. I will not let it get in bad shape again.

 

[John in OH]

I've looked at these light-weight folding tables a time or two, but always wondered if the tops were really sturdy enough for welding. Gauge size for tops seemt to be in the 14 to 11 range and this seems light as my old welding table is 3/8 plate. Do these sheet metal tops really hold up without warping?? Would tack welding a 3/8" plate over the top be an improvement??

 

[rpcraft]

I have the Harbor freight version of that table and what I did was made hooks on the wall and then I hang it upside down by the base. I have the eastwood plasma piece and I use it on that table by putting it upside down and setting the frame of the plasma table on the feet. Fits just right and seems stable enough.

 

[A**holes Garage]

I've had a Stronghand portable table like that one for years. Great for quick set up, welding and storage. The top is flimsy and I ended up replacing it with 1/4" slats and spaced them to utilize the Stronghand clamps. Designed it so it bolted into the original bolt locations.

Added a little weight and stability.

 

[K13]

Never had those problems with my Stronghand one. If the legs are splaying on their own you need to tighten up the bolts on them. I have mine so it takes some effort to spread the legs and have had it for close to 10 years and they have never loosen up with pretty frequent use. As far as it falling over I always fold the table down to the side with the wheels then put the other side against the wall which allows me to put it in the most upright position and ensures it is sitting on the feet. I have never had it fall over.

 

[DGersic]

I've looked at these light-weight folding tables a time or two, but always wondered if the tops were really sturdy enough for welding. Gauge size for tops seemt to be in the 14 to 11 range and this seems light as my old welding table is 3/8 plate. Do these sheet metal tops really hold up without warping?? Would tack welding a 3/8" plate over the top be an improvement??

I have the HF version of this. The top is ok for welding on. It’s not 1000 lbs. of 1” plate, but it’s ok for being small and portable.

The base is wonky, though. Works ok when you’re using it, but the folded up position doesn’t make a stable thing you can lean against a wall. Hanging it from a couple of hooks is probably your best bet for storage.

If I had a spare Workmate, I’d use the base and replace the top with steel. Hmm .... now to see if I can find a Workmate on Craigslist ...




Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[metalmagpie]

The cool thing about that table is the top. If it were mine, I'd remove the legs and when I wanted to use it, I'd put the top on a 16 gallon drum or maybe a 30 gallon drum. In between, store the top where you're trying to store the whole table now, and roll the drum outside and turn it upside down to keep out the rain. I used a table like that albeit with a solid 3/8" top for many years. Never once had a problem with the top not being fastened to the base.

metalmagpie

 

[bad_idea]

Take it one step further - drill a couple holes in the bottom of the barrel to let the rain pass through. Leave the barrel right side up and use it as a burn barrel. Then you lay the top on it when it is time to weld.

 

[biggziff]

There are several videos on youtube that explain modifications to that table. You should be able to get some ideals there.

FYI, the coating is easily removed with heat...like from welding...and the table will rust quickly.

 

[cspcrx]

I have the HF version as well. I do not trust it to be perfectly flat but for critical welds, corners and what not I use my 3 axis strong hand welding clamp to make sure everything is perfectly square. I just set it on the HF table to use as a work surface. For other things I weld right on it. I agree the coating does seem to damage fairly easily. I looked at the miller version but it is a lot heavier and larger than these.

 

[Falcon67]

I've used mine for welding and as a temp work surface by using a scrap of 3/4 ply. Other than that, I haven't needed to mod it.

 

[rpcraft]

It does make a great side table when you need one, just not quite the right height for an outfeed table or anything like that. Cinder blocks work wonders in adding height in a stable manner though.