New welding table & my fab space

[90roadster]

Finally got around to upgrading my welding table today. I had a beefy but small 2’ x 4’ table for years but larger garage now allowed for proper table. Went with 4’ x 5’ X 1/2” top with 3x3 uprights and 2x2 frame. Still have to add some hitch/receiver tubes all around for Beverly and Vises , maybe some paint too ...

 

[Glory]

Clean work, nice table.

What working surface height did you come in at?

 

[90roadster]

Clean work, nice table.

What working surface height did you come in at?

Table is 35", good work height for standing and sitting at tig stool

 

[zmotorsports]

Very nice fabrication area.

 

[AlpineCoupe]

Looks good, let's build something soon!

 

[Craftfab]

That looks great. Some very nice pieces of equipment in there.

 

[90roadster]

Thanks guys appreciate the kind words, I will be using this thread to post some of my equipment/shop projects and rebuilds.

@zmotorsports your shop as well as few others were inspiration behind my fab area!

 

[zmotorsports]

Thanks guys appreciate the kind words, I will be using this thread to post some of my equipment/shop projects and rebuilds.

@zmotorsports your shop as well as few others were inspiration behind my fab area!

Thank you. I am very flattered.

If you haven't already seen them you should check out Paco's (fnieto), Pat's (4 FN 27) and Clyde's (dr_clyde) as their fabrication shops are top notch.

 

[4 FN 27]

Finally got around to upgrading my welding table today. I had a beefy but small 2’ x 4’ table for years but larger garage now allowed for proper table. Went with 4’ x 5’ X 1/2” top with 3x3 uprights and 2x2 frame. Still have to add some hitch/receiver tubes all around for Beverly and Vises , maybe some paint too ...

Nice!!!

 

[zmotorsports]

Table is 35", good work height for standing and sitting at tig stool

Nice height. Mine is similar in height @ 32" tall. I built it that way when I was fabricating sand quad chassis as I was alternating between standing to TIG and then sitting for smaller components. Seems to be a nice height for both.

 

[thejimmy]

Nice fab table, workshop and beautiful dog

 

[Bears Fan]

Nicely equipped shop and that is a great looking table

 

[90roadster]

Thanks for the positive feedback guys! Shop dog is named diesel , male 2 year old German Shepard.

Here is example of projects I work on in the shop, just finishing a clutch pedal extensions for my fiancé.

 

[90roadster]

Picked up this Pexto sheetmetal slitter, goal will be mild mechanical resto and machine set of dies for it to use as bead roller

 

[lilscorpion]

I like it - both the table and the space. Looks like you're setup with all of the key tools. What kinds of things do typically do in your shop?

 

[racer-john]

Nice purchase on the Pexto. Regarding the clutch pedal extension, maybe add a few weld dimples, so her foot doesn't slip.

 

[sweepcity]

Great shop and great looking fab/weld table.

 

[90roadster]

Nice purchase on the Pexto. Regarding the clutch pedal extension, maybe add a few weld dimples, so her foot doesn't slip.

Very good point! I considered this but my selection of dimple dies is on a bigger side. I revised the design a bit and went with grip tape.

 

[90roadster]

I like it - both the table and the space. Looks like you're setup with all of the key tools. What kinds of things do typically do in your shop?

Thank you, mostly automotive metal fab for hot rods and race cars. Would eventually like to build my tube chassis toy from scratch

 

[lilscorpion]

Thank you, mostly automotive metal fab for hot rods and race cars. Would eventually like to build my tube chassis toy from scratch

Cool, that space looks idea for that stuff. If you end up sharing, I'll certainly follow along as you get rolling on some projects...especially the tube chassis. In all of my years of fabricating, I'd say I enjoyed building them the most given the freedom to be as creative or simple as desired for any given task.

 

[BERCOMAN]

I love the size of your table! How much overhang do you have on the edges?

 

[90roadster]

I love the size of your table! How much overhang do you have on the edges?

Thank you sir. Overhang is 3" at uprights and 4" at the horizontal tubes. The reason for this is I will be adding the popular trailer hitch/receiver tube setup all around.

 

[romans44]

Nice!

 

[sweepcity]

Very nice setup.

 

[AMCguy]

That is a top notch table.
The rest of the space ain't too shabby either.

Glenn

 

[90roadster]

Thanks guys, appreciate the kind words. I made few updates/upgrades to the shop since my last post.
1. Finally finished up the top die for my home made press brake

 

[90roadster]

2. added a milling machine (im super excited). This is an Enco knee mill from early 90s. Currently the first work in progress project on it is r8 collet rack

 

[90roadster]

3. Added a 4' wide finger brake, this came as package deal with the mill
4. Got the scooters up onto the rack for winter storage

 

[zmotorsports]

Equipment is adding up nicely.

My brother has a tabletop mill that looks just like that. I believe his is an Enco but pretty much a Rhong fu r-30 knock-off/look-a-like.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Just found your thread, looks like you have some badass equipment. Tell us more about how you made your press dies.

 

[90roadster]

Equipment is adding up nicely.

My brother has a tabletop mill that looks just like that. I believe his is an Enco but pretty much a Rhong fu r-30 knock-off/look-a-like.

The RF-30 is round column and modeled after Emco (Germen) I believe.

Since this is a knee mill its basically a scaled down Bridgeport. I believe this is loosely modeled after the Clausing 8530?

 

[zmotorsports]

The RF-30 is round column and modeled after Emco (Germen) I believe.

Since this is a knee mill its basically a scaled down Bridgeport. I believe this is loosely modeled after the Clausing 8530?

Thanks. In the picture I just assumed it was a round column. Being a knee mill it even better because my biggest con when I had my round column was height adjustments outside the range of the quill.

 

[90roadster]

Just found your thread, looks like you have some badass equipment. Tell us more about how you made your press dies.

The press brake is made from 20 ton press (northern industrial or similar, basically 1 step above HF) using industrial top and bottom dies. These came in large bundle of dies I acquired. I wanted a top and bottom die holder that would allow me to easily switch out the dies. The top holder is made from 304 stainless flat stock which I already had. Since I made these on my first small china mill with limited capability it took quite some time to drill all the holes and mill it to size. The bottom die holder is still not fully finalized but it is functional for now.

 

[90roadster]

Thanks. In the picture I just assumed it was a round column. Being a knee mill it even better because my biggest con when I had my round column was height adjustments outside the range of the quill.

Having owned a small round column for years I feel your pain! I'm excited for this upgrade and how easy it is to change tooling while working on a part without having to re-indicate every time

What kind of mill did you upgrade to?

 

[zmotorsports]

New welding table & my fab space

Having owned a small round column for years I feel your pain! I'm excited for this upgrade and how easy it is to change tooling while working on a part without having to re-indicate every time



What kind of mill did you upgrade to?

I purchased a Precision Mathews 9x35 knee mill. It's a 2/3 size body with full 3 HP Bridgeport style variable speed head and a Meehanite cast body. It's been a great mill for the 5 or so years I've owned it now.



This isn't a very good picture of it but you get the idea of size.



Here is a better picture of my Bridgeport clone.

 

[90roadster]

I purchased a Precision Mathews 9x35 knee mill. It's a 2/3 size body with full 3 HP Bridgeport style variable speed head and a Meehanite cast body. It's been a great mill for the 5 or so years I've owned it now.

This isn't a very good picture of it but you get the idea of size.

Very nice! I plan to eventually upgrade to something like this or possibly full size variable head BP.

BTW I like your bus power drops, I am currently working on similar setup for my tig and the belt sander.. will post pics when done

 

[zmotorsports]

Very nice! I plan to eventually upgrade to something like this or possibly full size variable head BP.

BTW I like your bus power drops, I am currently working on similar setup for my tig and the belt sander.. will post pics when done

The power drops were something I learned with my first shop as I added them after the fact with EMT but when I built my new shop I planned better and incorporated the drops in during the build process.

I dropped 240VAC power for my mill as well as my son’s future CNC mill that I knew he would be adding. I also dropped some 110VAC for milk accessories such as PC for his and DRO for mine. I also have some dropped for convenience because I don’t like using cords on floors for powering stationary equipment long term.

 

[MWMWMW]

I really like the storage above your Porsche. It’s industrial racks bolted to the cinderblock wall?

Further question: How do you get your scooters up there?

Loving your Porsche.

 

[90roadster]

I really like the storage above your Porsche. It’s industrial racks bolted to the cinderblock wall?

Further question: How do you get your scooters up there?

Loving your Porsche.

Scooters went up with help of a truck ramp and my welding table (first onto the table then from table to the rack). My plan was to use power, so I bought an electric hoist but decided to install in the attic instead.

 

[90roadster]

Re: New welding table & my fab space

I purchased a Precision Mathews 9x35 knee mill.

Here is a better picture of my Bridgeport clone.

How do you like the overall fit/finish of the PM machines? Is it above Grizzly or similar?