my portable welding table

[NUTTSGT]

First of all, I want to edit my thread from experience. I have found that using the expanded metal for a top doesn't work very well. I'd recommend that you do not use it.

I've been wanting to get some pics of this welding table I built. Now granted it's not a big old heavy duty thing, but it doesn't take up much floor space. I wanted a table about 2x3 but I didn't want to give up floor space to a dedicated welding table, so this is what I came up with.

This is the upright position. The top frame is made of angle iron and 2' x 3' in size with expanded metal as the top. The front of the frame is 1" sq tubing, with a piece of flat steel as a brace at the bottom.

Here's the back side. It a simple two wheel dolley from TSC. I wrapped and welded a piece of 1" flat stock around the dolley to support the hinge. the hinge itself is not more than a piece of round tubing with a round rod going through it. The hinge rod has a cotter pin on each end, so it can be removed and used a regular 2 wheeled cart.

Here's the storage position, doesn't take up much more room than the dolley itself. The front is separate from the top. If you notice the brace across the bottom is what the fron rides on when you're storing or transporting the cart. A simple bungee cord holds it together while it's being stored.

EDIT I must apologize to anyone looking at this thread. I just realized that I deleted a picture from PB. If I can figure out what picture was there, I'll try to upload it again.

 

[Quiksilver]

That's pretty cool for us guys that are limited on space. Did you think about mounting a bottle and welder on the cart some how?

 

[AmickRacing]

That's an awesome idea! I just might build myself one to take on job sites for those larger jobs.

 

[NUTTSGT]

That's pretty cool for us guys that are limited on space. Did you think about mounting a bottle and welder on the cart some how?

Thanks for the compliments.
No on the mounting. I have a seperate welding cart for the welder and bottle. I wanted something that was completely seperate, this way I can use it as a place when cutting with a torch or a place to sit stuff when spray painting and not taking up bench space.

 

[Gearhead559]

pretty good idea. i think you are on buckeye stangs aswell.

 

[NUTTSGT]

pretty good idea. i think you are on buckeye stangs aswell.

Yep, your old bottle warmer is in that car under the cover.

 

[gc427]

That is a great idea.

You have given me a great idea and I will incorporate some of your idea into the welding table I will build one of these days.

I need to start making up my mind and build the darn thing already.

Thanks!

 

[Shepoutside]

Kewl Ideal, and I just happen to have a extra dolly! THanks!!

 

[Gearhead559]

Yep, your old bottle warmer is in that car under the cover.

lol ok..i remember you now..guess the Internets nots so big after all

 

[Bencrx91]

Super cool !

 

[NUTTSGT]

Thank you sir.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I wanted to update this thread as I did make a change. There's been a few welding table threads hitting the Fab & Tech section and I have posted my experience there as well.

In the beginning, I thought the expanded metal would work great, now I know better. I wanted to pass on my experience on the matter. I know a few others have used it and it has worked for them. They may have used a heavier gauge or utilized more bracing underneath it than I did. The problem I had was sagging in mine. It's fine just to lay something on and weld it, but when trying lay something out flat and weld it together, the sagging made it difficult.

I added some 1/4" plate to the top, just a simple modification. I took a few pics, because, I know everybody likes pictures

First, I cut the middle section of the expanded metal out.

Then I laid my new top down on the frame, which I had previously ground the old paint off.

I wasn't sure if it would move while I welded it so I put some clamps on it. I figured it would be safer to do it than to find out the hard way.
After welding, the clamps were removed.

Since I laid it on top of the frame, I felt I should add some support underneath. Once again, better now than the learning the hard way.

I cut a few pieces of 1" sq tubing and welded it to the cross supports and to the new top.

Yes, I did burn through the tubing. The sq tubing was 16 guage (1/16" wall) and the plate was 1/4". I was trying to get penetration into the plate yet not too much heat in the tubing. Oh well good enough.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Yeah, I know a few of those pics are crappy. I need to look at them better when I take them. The welds underneath are better than they look in the picture. I know it's not ZT's welding but here's a few pics of my welding.

more poor pics. sorry.

 

[Rezarf]

I'm diggin the new top. Does the weight make it top heavy at all?

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'm diggin the new top. Does the weight make it top heavy at all?

No, not yet. I havene't actually used it yet since I just finished it last night. I removed the top from the hinge to weld the vertical support underneath. When I did lower it down, it was noticeable heavier and will require some added attention from what it was.

After setting it up and taking it down a few times, it'll be just like the old one. I'll have it figured out where and how to grab it when setting it up.

 

[GarageEnvy]

Nifty Idea. How does the hinge side lock in place? It looks like the dolly could fold underneath the table and cause a collapse but I'm sure there must be a lock mechanism. Also, have you found the dolly handle to be in the way when you're welding.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Nifty Idea. How does the hinge side lock in place? It looks like the dolly could fold underneath the table and cause a collapse but I'm sure there must be a lock mechanism. Also, have you found the dolly handle to be in the way when you're welding.

If you look the at third pic in my OP, you can see the front legs are separate from the dolley and top. There is square tubing welding under the top that the legs fit into. (note the bolt heads sticking out of the front leg tubing). One the top is sitting on the legs, there is no way for it to collapse.

The handle doesn't really get in the way, usually. It's just a small welding table and portable and I realize what it is and what it was designed for. One day, I will make a larger welding table and put this one in storage or pass it on to some one else.

 

[johno]

Very neat.

 

[GaryRoushkolb]

My portable is a StrongHand Nomad. This is a great and truly portable table and you can get one for under $150. It's got some features that are truely innovative. I couldn't build one for that price at my shop rate.

 

[brianh]

Thats a great idea, for a lot more uses than just welding I think I will be making one.

Thanks for the post.

 

[bad_idea]

When welding a thick metal to a thin metal focus the heat on the thick metal and 'flick' over to the thin metal. Did you weld that overhead? The welds on the top look good.

 

[NUTTSGT]

When welding a thick metal to a thin metal focus the heat on the thick metal and 'flick' over to the thin metal. Did you weld that overhead? The welds on the top look good.

That's what I was trying to do but I still burned through, I know that I got too much heat built up when I did it. I shouldn't have made it a continuous bead.

I took it apart and had the top laying upside when I welded it. I was leaning over it when I did it. I welded the uprights, well, vertically welding up. Something I don't do very often at all.

Basically, I somewhat rushed welding those pieces and didn't take my time.

 

[roberts56]

I just hope your hinges can carry the extra weight of the table top panel.

Oh, don't worry much about your welds, you can just grind it a little to make them nicer to look at, just practice some more on scrap metals and in no time you will be producing great looking weld beads.


CHEERS and stay safe.