New some fab/welding table ideas

[Gearhead559]

I wanna build my own welding table, and need ideas. i seen the really nice miller table setup, but not looking to spend that kind of money.

pics, idears ..post them up. im going back into the search and see if i can find anything

 

[Jack Olsen]

One important thing is to hunt around for a bargain on the top table surface. Steel is pretty pricey right now, so it makes sense to check with scrappers and look at remnant pieces in order to get something thick without going broke.

What kind of welding will you be doing, mostly? That will also play a role in table dimensions, portability and features.

I have one that folds down from the wall, with clamps stored behind it.

 

[gorilla]

Designing welding stations was part of my job for many years but it's hard to help without some idea of what you will be welding. How about some more information?

 

[NUTTSGT]

Here's a table I built a while back. I thought the expanded metal would make a great top but it has started to sag. I'd use some 1/4" plate if I were to do it again.

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

It's just something small and easy to move and store. It's easy to use a work table. I've used it as a place to spray bomb stuff, just lay down some newspaper.

 

[Gearhead559]

Here's a table I built a while back. I thought the expanded metal would make a great top but it has started to sag. I'd use some 1/4" plate if I were to do it again.

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

It's just something small and easy to move and store. It's easy to use a work table. I've used it as a place to spray bomb stuff, just lay down some newspaper.

i remember yours....

 

[Gearhead559]

Designing welding stations was part of my job for many years but it's hard to help without some idea of what you will be welding. How about some more information?

I get into alot of different things honestly. little things, to square tube stuff, roll cage stuff. i have a older welding vac setup i plan on building into a fab area in the new shop. but really just wanting a table setup for stuff i could be doing.

 

[gorilla]

How about a 1/2" thick plate sized to accommodate your needs, lay out a grid on about 6" centers and drill through 1/2" so that you can secure your work with strap clamps. Support it with a metal frame at a height that accommodates your body. leave one side open so that you can sit at it if you plan to TIG weld. Casters if you so desire.

 

[Gearhead559]

bump, got some idea from the work bench thread, still looking for more!

 

[targets from us]

this has been working out really well.

Very inexpensive uses a 10 ga top and 2"x2" .120 wall square tube frame and legs.

 

[charger891]

Nice table! thats the next thing on my list!

 

[Mike007]

I finally caved and ordered the steel to build a welding table today. I had a really well made 96" x 40" wood table on casters and 1-1/2" thick wood top. It's a pia not being able to weld on it. I lit it on fire a few times. Anyway, the steel came to around $300. The top is 3' x 5' 1/2" plate. It was $230. I think it will suit my needs.

 

[A_Pmech]

Cast iron surface plates work well.

 

[Mike007]

Cast iron surface plates work well.

Are you sure thats thick enough?

 

[Gearhead559]

I finally caved and ordered the steel to build a welding table today. I had a really well made 96" x 40" wood table on casters and 1-1/2" thick wood top. It's a pia not being able to weld on it. I lit it on fire a few times. Anyway, the steel came to around $300. The top is 3' x 5' 1/2" plate. It was $230. I think it will suit my needs.

why not put a cap over the wood top. sure you'll get heat transfer still. i am thinking of that now with mine, cause i dont plan on welding stuff to the table. but im going to get like 3/16- 1/2 top in some size or other.. knowing me i'll wait till i find a deal along the way

 

[mjozefow]

Cast iron surface plates work well.

That is officially known as a 6 pair of blue jeans lift.

 

[A_Pmech]

Are you sure thats thick enough?

Nah.

That is officially known as a 6 pair of blue jeans lift.

I couldn't find my fancy carpet squares. I think you have them, or I forget where I put them. The latter might be more likely.

 

[BD1]

Hi, check craigs list. you might consider a old craftsman cast iron table saw with extensions.Found one for $25.00 for neighbor. It had the criss cross side extensions too. great to cut on.He bought it as a temporary table and still uses it today.CHEAP!

 

[DCarr]

I'm adding a piece of round bar to my welding table to hold my Vice grips and other clamps. Also a piece of flat stock for my magnates.

 

[Mike007]

why not put a cap over the wood top. sure you'll get heat transfer still. i am thinking of that now with mine, cause i dont plan on welding stuff to the table. but im going to get like 3/16- 1/2 top in some size or other.. knowing me i'll wait till i find a deal along the way

I decided not to for a few reasons. 1, I wanted to go smaller, the wood table was too big for my space. I could have cut it down, but just didn't want to bother with it. 2, there was no overhang for clamping onto the wooden table top. So I'd have to make the top even bigger. 3, when running a torch on something hanging off the table sometimes the legs would light on fire.

 

[ME87]

I'm in the same boat. Can't afford a Miler table, but I want a nice easy system to clamp down parts and fixtures, so this is what I'm working on. Going to Harbor Freight to pick up a couple cheap C clamps to modify to create my own X-clamp system. The receiver tube looking things are so I can move my vise to multiple locations and positions at each position.

 

[Justanoldguy]

I'm building mine with heavy c section channel for the flat top. 4 pieces 8" x 4" x 30" with a 3/4 gap between each piece to fit g cramps in.
It will be about 36" x 30" on a steel frame and wheels.
Sorry can't find pics at the moment.

 

[charger891]

I'm in the same boat. Can't afford a Miler table, but I want a nice easy system to clamp down parts and fixtures, so this is what I'm working on. Going to Harbor Freight to pick up a couple cheap C clamps to modify to create my own X-clamp system. The receiver tube looking things are so I can move my vise to multiple locations and positions at each position.

thats similar to what i`m planning on building, the only thing i want to add is a cutting tray that slides out from underneath the top

 

[Vividlyvintage]

This is my work bench. Built by a very close friend of mine from scratch.


It is just over 6ft long, so I plan to dedicate a 24"x24" surface area to make a welding area on my bench top. Instead of having 2 benches, I just have 1, which is nice as I have very little room as it is. In the picture, the shiney spot is where I am stripping the many layers of paint off of the area I plan to make my welding station. Once I get more sand paper and liquid stripper, I will post pictures of the final product.


There will be a metal tab to place a ground strap, and it will work quite well I think. My welding cart, made from a HF single drawer tool cart will be parked next to the bench while welding.

 

[Gearhead559]

Designing welding stations was part of my job for many years but it's hard to help without some idea of what you will be welding. How about some more information?

the table is going to be for smaller stuff. i get into alot or different things. table wont help any for doing sub frames or roll cages and so on, but if some has me install a gsxr 1000 motor on there go cart then it would come in handy. i may jusy break down and buy the miller welding table and some of the clamping stuff for it

 

[kc-steve]

Personally. I first looked around for a scrap top first, then designed around the top plate I found. Mine is a 3/8"x22x48 I picked up in 2009 for $65 (about 100-lbs).

Afterward, I built a frame of 2x2 square tube with a frame opening for standing at the table that doesn't get in the way. I measured my height and decided where to cut the risers so I won't be uncomfortable standing at the table. To do that I had to decide which casters to buy first so I would know the overall height added to the risers.

The casters I chose are high-quality 450-lb capacity (ea) I bought from Grainger's and believe me when I say, a quality caster makes a BIG difference when rolling around a table that weighs 300 or 400 lbs.

Also gussets are important so your 2-3 inch overhang is reinforced. I also added pegboard at the ends, a frame to wrap extension cord, and left the 2x2 strategically placed so they can be used as receivers for other extensions like a temporary metal chop saw addition. Bet ya can't guess my welder brand.

Good luck,
Steve

 

[Drisco Z71]

Pretty simple design, but why over complicate something?

 

[Vividlyvintage]

Pretty simple design, but why over complicate something?

Is that a seat? Intresting.

 

[A**holes Garage]

 

[kyrbz]

Here's a few pics of my welding tables

http://ezbarnacles.blogspot.com/
http://www.egawazbryk.blogspot.com/
http://bzisettas.blogspot.com/

 

[kyrbz]

Nice tables!

 

[JayL]

I finished mine just now and saw this thread. Thought I'd post pics too.

 

[Jagmandave]

Mine's pretty simple, it's just a 2' X 2' square mounted on some legs with wheels on one end and rubber feet on the other - that way it's easy to move around but then holds still while I'm working on it. I mounted a small vise on one corner to hold stuff and can clamp all around as needed. I don't make great big things, so I don't need a big table. As you can tell from the pic, even a small table can get cluttered!

I've since cleaned it off and got it usable again.....

View media item 13211

 

[Drisco Z71]

Is that a seat? Intresting.

sure is, built by my grandpa who knows how long ago.

 

[Mike007]

Pretty simple design, but why over complicate something?

Is that 3' x 6'?

 

[Drisco Z71]

Is that 3' x 6'?

I'm pretty sure it is, 3' x 6' x.5", 2"x2"x.125" frame underneath, 4"x4"x.25" legs with 2"x2"x.25" connecting the legs on the bottom and 6"x2" 1200lb rated casters.

 

[Brad54]

I've just spent the day hammering 17-gauge sheetmetal on my table, for another project.
Mass is king with me.
Make it as heavy as you can, and unless you're in a very small shop that REQUIRES you have the ability to move your table around, I'd skip the casters.

My table is 3x5, with a 1/2-inch top plate. After building the frame, it tips the scales at over 600 pounds. That's nice, because when I've thrown a Ford 9-inch on it, or my 300 pound sheet metal brake, it didn't move. Nor does it move while I'm abusing sheetmetal on it. Or when I was hammering away at the 9-inch to get the seized drums off.

If you can, design your shop around a good fab table, and it'll become the primary work area in your shop.

-Brad

 

[Mike007]

After too much thought, I decided on a table design. I wanted something simple. I'm not 100% done, I'm going to add a few gussets, a plate too create a shelf below, and I think I'm going to paint the frame Miller Blue. The frame is made from 2" x 2" x 14 gauge square tube and the top is 3' x 5' x 1/2" plate. I raised the plate 4" above the frame on the ends and middle so I can clamp almost anywhere on the table with long Vise-Grip type clamps. I considered slotting the table and or drilling and tapping holes, but I really wanted to keep the surface solid since I will use the table for more then just welding. Total material cost is around $400

 

[roberts56]

HI guys, I would like to share too my Heavy Duty Welding & cutting work bench basic design, I have started working on it though there will be some changes as I go along the process of fabricating this workbench. I have so many things still to add on its build. Maybe I'll post some pics as I progress. If that would be fine!!

Well all the materials I'll be putting in are sourced from scrap yards except of course the heavy duty wheel casters.

 

[jhn9840]

I like your table design roberts56. Just wondering what you are going to use the small table mounted on the left end for?

jhn9840
John

 

[roberts56]

@Hey jhn9840,


OK I have attached two small tables on the left side and on the right side.I'll start with the smaller green one first, it will be for a removable table vise plate, and I will have another one too for a metal bender that I will be fabricating also as soon as I finish this welding table.

The other table on the left which is color orange is for my detachable DIY welding positioner, which can be tilted, rotated and adjusted to a desired height for practice of over head welding. So that's how these small tables or plates will be utilized during fabs.

By the way, thanks for liking this heavy duty welding table design, this is only the basic design and as I go along the fab process I will be adding more features that will make project fabs easier in terms of movement and easy reach of metalworking tools.


Glad you liked it and hope others too.
roberts56