Is this a welding table?

[Mandres]

Saw this posted on marketplace nearby listed as a welding table. It looks interesting, maybe with a fan to downdraft? Is this worth picking up for my first welding table?

 

[kumquat]

It could be. Not the best I've seen.

 

[Pontiac787]

Looks like a plasma table to catch the sparks as you cut. As mentioned, you could certainly weld on it. I wouldn’t pay much for it.

 

[Mandres]

Yea, Im thinking it might be one of those cheap import plasma cutting tables, but I can't find an exact match. I might go take a look tomorrow. He's only asking $50 for it.

 

[tarmy]

You want the table to be sturdy and steady for welding. Most decent tables have some heft and a top that is 1/2” or more thick so you can square work. I had a plasma cutting table that had a grid with vertical 1” slats. That thing would be trashed when using a plasma cutter on the mesh. These are tables I made/use. Dead flat and thick.

 

[Mandres]

Those are really nice . I'd like to build one like that when I find a decent source for used steel plate. In the meantime I'm just making brackets and little stuff

 

[MOS3522]

Useless as a welding table, you could not lay up anything on it with accuracy.,

 

[Kaizen]

Looks like its bent sheet metal on that top. If so I'd pass even for 20 bucks.

 

[whateg01]

Man! I've welded a bunch of stuff on sawhorses and 2x4s. A nice welding table is nice to have, but a lot can be done with less. If the price is right, it could work for awhile.

 

[American Locomotive]

As others mentioned, welding tables are usually flat, solid and heavy so you clamp things securely and fixture things rigidly.

That looks more like a down draft table for dusty or fumey work. It probably has a hook up for a vacuum or dust collector.

I don't thnk it would be super useful as a welding table.

 

[nadogail]

I am using a piece of Hardee Backer Board, it was free and is not bothered by Arc Splatter.

 

[KwikFab]

Huge pass.

You're better off just buying a thick drop/remnant, and welding up some square tube under it to try and flatten it out.

Then put some legs on it and call it a day.

 

[Mandres]

Thanks for the advice, I'll go ahead and pass

 

[KwikFab]

Thanks for the advice, I'll go ahead and pass

If you up your budget closer to $150-200, you could see about getting a fixture table which will be an awesome first welding table.

You'll be focused more on learning proper technique and learning to differentiate bead profiles and not getting so frustrated with using magnets to hold things together as you tack and weld them.

Find a local shop that does CNC laser, and you should be able to get something like a 2' x 3' in 3/8" thick steel for about $150.

Spend another $50 on some square tube and make it a welding project!

You'll be in it for as much as you would be for that crappy Klutch table (on Amazon) or Harbor Freight table but with a significantly thicker table top that'll last you for years.

 

[Killer95Stang]

How much charcoal will it hold under that mesh? Might be good to convert into a Santa Maria style grill....

 

[NUTTSGT]

My first welding table I built, I used expanded metal. That was a mistake. So I would be a hard pass ...as is.

I ended up welding a piece of 1/4" steel over the top.

 

[phantoms01TC]

You did right adding 1/4" plate, should’ve started there. Always go solid steel, minimum 6 mm.

 

[gmcgeo]

That more looks like a grinding table. to allow all the grinding mess down the expanded metal into a tray

 

[finn]

I think it would work, if you found a piece of 5/16” or 3/8” (or heavier) steel plate to cover the top.

I wouldn’t pay $50 for it, although you couldn’t build it for that unless you had a good source of cheap material.

Looks sturdier than some of the imported tables being sold as welding tables.

That said, I have one of the cheap folding imported welding tables in our small Az garage. It serves the purpose to a point, ie holds the material off the floor and provides a clamping surface for the ground. It folds up so it hugs the wall when put away, but is too light and flimsy to pound on. Given the space constraints, it’s the only option there.

At my Mi shop I’m making do with an auction find shop built table with a 1/2” thick base that looks like it is a cutoff from some other project, a heavy wall 6” pipe as a leg, and a 2+ foot square 3/8” steel plate top. It’s heavy enough to pound on and the base being round (like a manhole cover) makes it portable. Well worth the $6 I paid an an auction.

I have everything I need to make a bigger rolling table using the frame from the shipping rack my four post lifts came in, except the time / priority.

I say throw a lowball offer. It will get you started and is better than sawhorses and Hardiboard.

 

[nadogail]

I think it would work, if you found a piece of 5/16” or 3/8” (or heavier) steel plate to cover the top.

I wouldn’t pay $50 for it, although you couldn’t build it for that unless you had a good source of cheap material.

Looks sturdier than some of the imported tables being sold as welding tables.

That said, I have one of the cheap folding imported welding tables in our small Az garage. It serves the purpose to a point, ie holds the material off the floor and provides a clamping surface for the ground. It folds up so it hugs the wall when put away, but is too light and flimsy to pound on. Given the space constraints, it’s the only option there.

At my Mi shop I’m making do with an auction find shop built table with a 1/2” thick base that looks like it is a cutoff from some other project, a heavy wall 6” pipe as a leg, and a 2+ foot square 3/8” steel plate top. It’s heavy enough to pound on and the base being round (like a manhole cover) makes it portable. Well worth the $6 I paid an an auction.

I have everything I need to make a bigger rolling table using the frame from the shipping rack my four post lifts came in, except the time / priority.

I say throw a lowball offer. It will get you started and is better than sawhorses and Hardiboard.

Everything is going to be relative, Saw Horses and Hardboard are an improvement over no table at all.

There are so many variables to be considered. Often the best answer will be "It Depends" on the ever changing circumstances,

 

[mm08822]

You want the table to be sturdy and steady for welding. Most decent tables have some heft and a top that is 1/2” or more thick so you can square work. I had a plasma cutting table that had a grid with vertical 1” slats. That thing would be trashed when using a plasma cutter on the mesh. These are tables I made/use. Dead flat and thick.

Mind sharing additional pics of this table?? Looks nice!!

 

[tarmy]

Mind sharing additional pics of this table?? Looks nice!!

As requested.

 

[bwringer]

What's the coating on the metal top? Zinc is, obviously, heavily contraindicated for welding or anything involving heating.

Looks like a nice sturdy base for something if you can grab it cheap.

 

[Spareparts]

Maybe consider that table with a 3/8 to 1/2" plate steel and just cap it with maybe 2" or 3"
overhang all around it for clamping. That way if you want to use the other top just lift the thicker
top off. You can't build that table for anything close to the asking price.

 

[ATC]

Man! I've welded a bunch of stuff on sawhorses and 2x4s. A nice welding table is nice to have, but a lot can be done with less. If the price is right, it could work for awhile.

I used to use the tailgate of my truck and a vise






Then I finally got a real table with a 1" thick top for a song!