Hi--I need a simple welding table pretty quick here for a project I am starting. I don't have time to put just a whole bunch of time into this. I would like it 5 ft long by at least 2 ft wide. Is there something good out there I can purchase? I do have access to a local shop that can laser out what I need and also brake pieces too if I want them to make the pieces for it and then I could weld it together. Thanks!
Need a Simple Welding Table--Any Ideas
- Thread starter monteu
- Start date
I took a piece of grate about 2x4 and welded legs of uni strut on, then used rebar as the support angles to the legs. I put a vise on one end. Been using it for almost 10 years, without issue and it sits outside.
My thought process is think simple and make use of what I have laying around as much as possible.
My thought process is think simple and make use of what I have laying around as much as possible.
Strong Hand Build Pro Any size you can afford
Bluco---
Any number of others.
3 of the little Stronghand nomads or HF tables.
Stronghand makes a little table with the same holes as their larger tables but it is not drop in stuff. and only 3/16" thick...
Last but not least, Make a frame and toss a slab of 3/4" A36 on it, hit the top of that A36 with a flap wheel... tack on blocks and pins and such at your leisure. Cut the Tacks and use the flap wheel to clean it up.
Google is your friend too.
Bluco---
Any number of others.
3 of the little Stronghand nomads or HF tables.
Stronghand makes a little table with the same holes as their larger tables but it is not drop in stuff. and only 3/16" thick...
Last but not least, Make a frame and toss a slab of 3/4" A36 on it, hit the top of that A36 with a flap wheel... tack on blocks and pins and such at your leisure. Cut the Tacks and use the flap wheel to clean it up.
Google is your friend too.
Surplus restaurant prep tables are about the size you want. Restaurant s don't last long and they can be found online for a good deal.mthey have stainless tops if you tig and need something quick.
Personally I made mine for about $8 with rusty 1\4 inch junk scrap steel slab (oxy/ace doesn't care about good grounds). The legs are land scaping timbers which were the only expense. And the cross bracing is some waterbed boards as is the lower shelf. The lower shelf holds a filing cabinet and that holds tips and torches. On the side of the table I bolted a 360* swivel vise to a waterbed board. Its ugly but very functional. The top sits maybe 4 ft high so I can sit on a bar stool or stand and still brace my forearms on the edge of the top for support.
Personally I made mine for about $8 with rusty 1\4 inch junk scrap steel slab (oxy/ace doesn't care about good grounds). The legs are land scaping timbers which were the only expense. And the cross bracing is some waterbed boards as is the lower shelf. The lower shelf holds a filing cabinet and that holds tips and torches. On the side of the table I bolted a 360* swivel vise to a waterbed board. Its ugly but very functional. The top sits maybe 4 ft high so I can sit on a bar stool or stand and still brace my forearms on the edge of the top for support.
i have one of these, and have been thinking about purchasing another to bolt/weld them together to make a bigger one...great little table for the money. hasnt given me a problem in over 4 years. if the surface isn't large enough, you can simply get a piece of steel sheet thats oversized and weld it to it
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200407826_200407826
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200407826_200407826
BD1
Well-known member
Buddy bought a old craftsman 10'' table saw with cast iron extension and uses that. Better then nothing. OR, look for a ironing board, quick setup and minimal space requirements.
The only welding table I have is a 40"x32" 1/4" plate that I put on top of my collapsable Keter work table. I had handles laser cut a few inches in from each side and also had an "x" pattern of 3/8" threaded holes machined in going out from center. Takes about 5 minutes to set up and works really damn well.
I know its not 5' long but just throwing out ideas.
I know its not 5' long but just throwing out ideas.
ctb
Well-known member
I've got a piece of 3x5 ft 1/4 inch steel that I got from a scrapyard a few years ago. Always meant to build a regular welding table but still haven't.
It rests on a piece of 3/4 in particle board over a couple of small tables.
Does the job for me.
It rests on a piece of 3/4 in particle board over a couple of small tables.
Does the job for me.
rdn2blazer
Well-known member
Go buy the cheap one at HF. Can't beat that for store bought.
http://www.harborfreight.com/adjustable-steel-welding-table-61369.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/adjustable-steel-welding-table-61369.html
dr_clyde
Well-known member
Your basic fab table can be built in an afternoon with a few hundred dollars, a bandsaw and a welder.
Call scrap yards and ask if they have any plates fitting the size and thickness you want. Much cheaper than new. 2" x 3/16" wall tubing will make excellent base and legs.
Otherwise the local steel supply can shear your plate to whatever size you want. They sky's the limit with design features and how intricate you want it. No reason to buy an overpriced premade one.
Call scrap yards and ask if they have any plates fitting the size and thickness you want. Much cheaper than new. 2" x 3/16" wall tubing will make excellent base and legs.
Otherwise the local steel supply can shear your plate to whatever size you want. They sky's the limit with design features and how intricate you want it. No reason to buy an overpriced premade one.
here's a link to the welding table I made. Originally I used expanded metal but changed it and added a piece of plate to the top.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43628
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43628
ddawg16
Well-known member
I made mine as well. Of course I'm lucky in that I was able to 'obtain' a 1" thick 24"x24" slab of steel (145 lbs worth).
Mine also doubles as the holder for my vice. By the time you add the total weight of the table and vice....it's around 200 lbs and the ***** does not go anywhere.
Mine also doubles as the holder for my vice. By the time you add the total weight of the table and vice....it's around 200 lbs and the ***** does not go anywhere.
Robert Hall
Well-known member
I sure like the harbor fright tables. I caught them on sale for $45 a piece. they really are quite sturdy. And ran some angle iron on the back of them to sturdy them up. Here's a picture
rdn2blazer
Well-known member
I sure like the harbor fright tables. I caught them on sale for $45 a piece. they really are quite sturdy. And ran some angle iron on the back of them to sturdy them up. Here's a picture
Yep, exactly what I posted. Ya can't beat this for a cheap quick table.
kerrynzl
Well-known member
Modify an engine stand , so the table top slips in [then it can rotate]
Whats your budget and tolerances your willing to deal with. All good suggestions here but bed frames to Acorn tables there is a HUGE amount of difference in flatness and price here.
Personally if you have the money I would build a cheap tube frame and the thickest piece of plate you can afford. 1/4" and up is ~ok for most.
If you want something out the box, daisy chaining the HF portable tables is not a bad way to go.
Again, if your welding up art sculptures and need relatively flat top- go bed frame. But if your doing anything that requires tighter tolerances youll want to do some research.
Personally if you have the money I would build a cheap tube frame and the thickest piece of plate you can afford. 1/4" and up is ~ok for most.
If you want something out the box, daisy chaining the HF portable tables is not a bad way to go.
Again, if your welding up art sculptures and need relatively flat top- go bed frame. But if your doing anything that requires tighter tolerances youll want to do some research.
Whiskeymike
Well-known member
Hopefully the OP doesn't mind if I tack on a few questions as I'm about to make my own welding table.
For the top, is a single piece of plate better or a couple dozen bars welded to the top with 1/4" spacing between them?
For legs, is round tube better than square?
When welding square tube, is it better to miter the corners together or **** them against one another?
I'd like casters as I keep the floor of my shop open. Is there a design mechanism to level the table when you use casters?
For the top, is a single piece of plate better or a couple dozen bars welded to the top with 1/4" spacing between them?
For legs, is round tube better than square?
When welding square tube, is it better to miter the corners together or **** them against one another?
I'd like casters as I keep the floor of my shop open. Is there a design mechanism to level the table when you use casters?
