New welding/fab table under construction

[Wanna Ride]

I've been wanting to build this new weld/fab table for a while, and I was finally able to start it today and make some progress. It's nothing heavy duty, but it'll be fine for making my garage projects easier. I've been using a damn pair of saw-horses and a half sheet of OSB forever, so this has been long overdue.

The main frame will be 57" x 45", and is being built out of 1.5" x 1.5" x 1/8" square tubing. The top will be 1/4" plate with a 1.5" overhang and reinforce skirted with 1.5" x 1.5" x 1/8" angle for overhang ridgidity. The bottom shelf will be expanded metal. I've got some pretty handy features I'm going to incorporate, but they'll be easier to show with progress pics, as I go.

Here's what I've got done so far, and what will eventually be the left side:

The left side, and the right side connected:

Here it is on the floor, just for mock-up, with one of my HF side boxes. I think this will be perfect for storing all the welding/fab hand tools:

In these pics, the frame is actually upside-down. The two stub legs on the left still need to be cut off. After I started assembling that side, I decided I didn't want the table to be that tall. When it's all done and the casters are on, the work surface will be 42" from the floor. This a little taller than most people like, but I'm 6'-2" and the other benches in my garage are all this height, and they feel perfect for me.

I can't believe I used this OSB and sawhorses for so long. As of right now, I have $118 in this project. I still have to buy the expanded, the top plate, and a little more tubing and angle. I've had the side-box, but if you figure that in the total, then there's another $180. Oh, and I bought a sweet old vise at a garage sale for this project too, so that was like another $15 or $20. I should have this nearly completed by the end of next weekend.

Stay tuned!

 

[WSMC633]

Looking good so far. I got my welding/fab table welded together with the top plate on, and haven't had a chance to finish it. Immediately stared using it for projects. I still need to add my bottom shelf, hanger for clamps and vices, paint it, etc. etc.

You're going to love having a nice solid surface to work on. It will kick that OSB's ****!!

 

[SteelArt]

sweet build. I would give some thought to the castor option though and include some sort of brake. Last thing you want is your weld table moving around on you.

I used trailer jockey wheels for min so that I can wind them up once I have it in place and it is 100% solid. Then I simply wind them down to lift the table and roll it away to where I need it next.

You can see them in this picture.

 

[sickboi55]

thats a genius use of trailer parts

 

[Wanna Ride]

sweet build. I would give some thought to the castor option though and include some sort of brake. Last thing you want is your weld table moving around on you.

One step ahead of you.

That was one of those "pretty handy features" I spoke of earlier. Mine's not as heavy as yours, but it'll be plenty heavy enough for what I need, and I like being diverse enough to move it when and where I need to. It's easier to show some pics of what I'm going to do instead of trying to explain. But I definitely want it on casters, so I can move it around. I don't have the luxury of having as large a garage as I'd like, and I still need to park two vehicles in it every night in the winter.

Nice use of the landing gear, by the way.

 

[Wanna Ride]

Today after dinner, I got the top welded on, the casters and plates, and one cross brace under the top. I had to stop there because I need to get my bottle refilled. I was unaware it was so close to empty. Tomorrow, I'll get the rest of the top braces in, the bottom shelf and braces, and some of the other features.

 

[sscustom]

wow that looks good cant wait to see t finished

 

[Wanna Ride]

I managed to get a few more hours in on this project today, after getting the bottle filled. Coulda' swore I had another roll of wire around here somewhere... Oh well, one more trip into town tomorrow. I needed some more hardware and a couple other things anyway.

Here's what I got done so far:

 

[blue dog]

I like the use of the trailer wheels,great idea, but more importantly, is that a myers manx i see in the background? if so, can we see a good shot of it.

 

[padronanniversary]

I managed to get a few more hours in on this project today, after getting the bottle filled. Coulda' swore I had another roll of wire around here somewhere... Oh well, one more trip into town tomorrow. I needed some more hardware and a couple other things anyway.

Here's what I got done so far:

Just curious, how much do you have into that cart in terms of steel without the top ?

I am planning on making a very similar set up. Thanks in advance

 

[Wanna Ride]

Just curious, how much do you have into that cart in terms of steel without the top ?

Minus the top, about $235 including the casters, hardware, and expanded metal for the bottom shelf (bought it, but not installed yet), and enough steel for all the other features not yet installed.

But just in frame material for what you already see... roughly about $150. That includes 70' of
1.5" x 1.5" x .25' square tubing, and 50' of 1.5" x 1.5" x .125" angle, and the .250" caster
plates.

The top is .250" material and the bottom shelf is flattened expanded, both pieces were cut at 46" x 60". Those two pieces were a total of $87.

 

[padronanniversary]

Thanks wanna ride. Did you get the top precut at a shop ? Curious as to where to buy steel like that and what services most places provide since I'm new to metal fab.

Thanks again and your table looks awesome !

 

[Wanna Ride]

Yes. Some friends work at a large machine/fab shop and they stock LOTS of steel. They always cut me whatever material I need.

 

[Wanna Ride]

Well, here's what I got finished this weekend. I wanted to be further along, but you know how it goes. I figured I'd arrange everything on the table before I go any further. I want to change a couple things and add a few details before I paint it. I realized I want to add a shelf behind the toolbox for the chop saw and the 2nd welder, get them up off the bottom for more room. I want to put the welder on about a 6" shelf with a slight angle, and add some sort of hanger for the liner. I'm also going to add a couple of 110 receptacles underneath, with one cord to the table. Then I'll add the mounts for the vise and the bench-grinder, and the bottle strap.

 

[crawlin91]

Yes. Some friends work at a large machine/fab shop and they stock LOTS of steel. They always cut me whatever material I need.

spoiled. The table turned out real nice I like the extra grinder storage, I am going to build something similar myself. Probably a little more heavy duty though with 2" recievers for different stuff (chop saw, vise, etc.).
I priced out sheets of 1/2" and 3/8" in different sizes.
This was all new steel. He would cut a full sheet in half but otherwise I would have to take what was there.
He had 5x5' in 3/8"s and 4x4' in 1/2" a little big for my little garage, I will wait untill I can get a deal on a piece of 3x6' as that would be my ideal size for odd shaped projects and to fit in my garage space well.

keep the pics coming!

 

[Wanna Ride]

spoiled. The table turned out real nice I like the extra grinder storage, I am going to build something similar myself. Probably a little more heavy duty though with 2" recievers for different stuff (chop saw, vise, etc.).
I priced out sheets of 1/2" and 3/8" in different sizes.
This was all new steel. He would cut a full sheet in half but otherwise I would have to take what was there.
He had 5x5' in 3/8"s and 4x4' in 1/2" a little big for my little garage, I will wait untill I can get a deal on a piece of 3x6' as that would be my ideal size for odd shaped projects and to fit in my garage space well.

keep the pics coming!

It's going to have receivers for the bench grinder and the vise. One receiver on each corner, so I can move them wherever I need them. The 1/4" top is heavier than you may think. I wouldn't work on backhoe buckets on it, but just about anything up to that will be ok. And by the way, this table is just under 5' x 4'.

 

[wilb1976]

Nice set-up. Great having everything in one place.

 

[jtbinvalrico]

I like this a lot. I've bookmarked it to use as a plan for my own. Well done.

 

[29ToyA]

Nice

 

[csmitty]

Nice, I like the grinder storage, I may have to incorporate that into mine. I'm about 80% done with mine. After having a sheet of 7ga kick my **** I couldn't continue. I made dad one welding/work table with 11ga top and though I wanted one alittle thicker for more welding use.

any close up pics of the grinder rack, or how they're hanging?

How it sits now

Still needs plates and casters on the bottom, raising it about 5" plate the shelf for the spectrum 250 and maxstar 200. 2x6s on the bottom. then misc. hooks and loops for cords/leads. It'll get a vise on the front left and a AL pegboard on the back, and probably a overhang for CFL light. Garage isn't the best lit. But hey, its a rental.

Using the Millermatic 210 to put it all together.

Something about a nice weld just makes your day better if you ask me

Here's the one I did for dad. 7x3. Mainly to fit in that space behind it. And its kinda hard to reach across 4' Thats only the 11ga top but its got some supports spaced across.

 

[z28snksknr]

You made my table!!! Well, i just started building mine, but your idea matches my design pretty closely (used Google Sketchup):
View media item 7425

 

[pirana]

sweet build. I would give some thought to the castor option though and include some sort of brake. Last thing you want is your weld table moving around on you.

I used trailer jockey wheels for min so that I can wind them up once I have it in place and it is 100% solid. Then I simply wind them down to lift the table and roll it away to where I need it next.

You can see them in this picture.

That's one of the better tables i've seen in a while! Would especially be useful where space is limited.

 

[mobetta]

Some nice tables here...

Thanks wanna ride. Did you get the top precut at a shop ? Curious as to where to buy steel like that and what services most places provide since I'm new to metal fab.

Thanks again and your table looks awesome !

if your in/near the twin cities, discount steel in MPLS is my favorite. they will ship, too....