Maximum overhang for welding table.

[AFBud78]

Started my welding table build a few months back. Shouldn't take this long but buying tools (drycut saw and better welder) as I can afford, and the military keeps sending me away for various reasons. So I started with the plan for a 3'x5' with a 2" overhang all around. Cut all of metal for the frame. Now I am thinking I want to go 42" wide for some of my bigger projects. Haven't purchased the metal plate for the top yet, so will 1/2" thick be stiff enough with the now 5" overhang? Won't be beating on the overhang, just clamping stuff down to weld and some of my wood working projects.

Appreciate everyone's help and will start a thread for the build once I get back home and start making some real progress. Thanks.

 

[TTMotorsports]

I had an old table with 6in overhang all around with 3/8 top plate. Was nice and flat like new when sold it.

 

[LeeG]

Bigger is almost always better. That being said, I have managed pretty well with a 3’ x 4’ table that is 1/4” thick. I have about a 4” overhang which is about as much reach as most of my clamps have.

 

[ClappedOutBport]

I'd think that would be fine with 1/2". Just do your hammering inboard a bit.

 

[bradpac]

Keep in mind the space you are working in for total size, it's just as much of a problem to have a big *** table in your way as it is to have a table too small to do anything on.

As far as over hang, the more overhang, the more room for longer clamps. I would have a shallow overhang on one side 1-2" because I like to whack stuff so it would be less likely to bend, but a 5" overhang would work good for clamping and should stay flat with 1/2" no problem.

 

[Movover]

I agree With Lunacy, maybe 1 or 2 sides 1-2" and the others 5" that's a good trade off of both worlds

 

[dr_clyde]

I typically use the throat depth of my biggest clamp as a guide to overhang.

 

[slodat]

I have a 3' x 4' table with 4" overhang. I've never wanted for more, and I've used the inner limit a lot.

 

[chilow]

I worked with one with a 3" overhang and wished I had at least another inch.

 

[rattle_snake]

I have 3", 4 to 5" overhang would be nice.

 

[sqznby]

I typically use the throat depth of my biggest clamp as a guide to overhang.

Took the words right outta my mouth.

 

[TTMotorsports]

I typically use the throat depth of my biggest clamp as a guide to overhang.

That would be around 12inch with my long reach clamps.

 

[tarbellb]

I typically use the throat depth of my biggest clamp as a guide to overhang.

That would be around 12inch with my long reach clamps.

Yup, at least your most commonly used big clamps....



If you havent built up your clamp selection enough to know, I would say 4-6" is a safe bet.

 

[ItsNemo]

Can always add a few gussets in spots to help support it.

 

[dr_clyde]

That would be around 12inch with my long reach clamps.

I feel like some common senses applies here. If you routinely used that 12” clamp to it’s limit then maybe that would work well for you. Probably not most people.

6” would cover most people for a long time.

 

[sberry]

I need to get a sketch to do a couple table top abd bench tops designs. But, 4 or so is good and the 42 measurement is good. 3 ft is a bit narrow, if I built a new top its the number I would pick. 4 inch can work, I might modify 1 end. 1/2 is plenty.
This is from scrap, never planned but I have worked on dozens of benches in dozens of shops, and is the cumulation of shape and dimension from long time use. This one was added on as needed and did start as 36 but was too narrow. Was too short and had a cut box added after using a can I had hung? I would have any holes and fixtures on an overhung end. 1/2 is great, still able to drill a common hole if needed in short order.

 

[pi_guy]

I use the Miller portable table it gives me the flexibility that I need for clamping and jigging.

 

[AMCguy]

I would build my frame the full size of the table top. That is to say, no overhang. I would then stand my table top up and off the frame using pedestals. That would give infinite clamping depth except for where the pedestals are.

See my design below and you'll know where I'm coming from.

Glenn

 

[AFBud78]

Appreciate everyone’s advice. I will be going with the 1/2” top with 5” overhang on 2 sides, unless I run across a piece of 3/4” that’s reasonable. I will be adding some 5/8” holes in the top for clamps as well.