Setting up a welding space, any ideas?

[Muckman83]

So iv finally bought a welder after years of umming and ahhhhing.


Unit I decided on was a Cigweld 200HF
My friend said this is a perfect unit for beginners and good for exhaust tubing.
Other then the fact of learning on how to weld which I’m booked in for lessons for that, I’m lost for ideas on how I’m going to set up a welding bench to even do work in my garage. I’m already tight for space as it is.
I need something that can be put to get her and packed away or folded up u der my work bench.



Not sure what kinda bench I will even need.


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[crewchief888]

HF has a small portable welding table. I think it folds up flat.

 

[Jking24]

A metal top bench is the most preferable if your doing tig only you won't have any splatter or sparks 99%of the time to worry about. It really comes down to what you will be welding. Tig welding is about 80% prep so grinding sanding wire brushing. I had a realy small shop at one point so a bench was a no go. I used a small piece of scrap aluminum on top of a stool and everything to big for that got done on the floor

 

[tarmy]

The first thing you need is a GOOD fire extinguisher...seriously.

Make sure you have the area around your work clear of flammable material...

Join Welding Web and ask lotsa questions...search that site for welding tables and other stuff.

 

[Muckman83]

Well mostly I will be doing exhaust pipe work. I will be making a few things for hoist such as ramps and engines stands and cradles.



I desperately need to make some assist ramps. My wood blocks are becoming a huge problem

I found a foldable welding table that might be what I need?



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[dagofast]

HF sells a folding welding table exactly like the one pictured in your second post. I have one. It is okay for smaller parts. You might also want to consider buying a welding blanket from HF as well. It can be used as a wall or floor covering to protect your garage from sparks and slag. I also have tinted welding curtains to keep the flash contained. They are hung with wire shower curtain rings over black pipe.

Edited to add: ^That stupid link as somehow added automatically. Those are NOT what I used.

 

[Muckman83]

Who is HF ?


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[Bogie1632]

Whatever you end up with, how ever you have it organized, make sure you have a fire extinguisher or two easily accessible.

Making fire is easy. Putting it out when it's where you dont want it...not so much.

V/R
Bogie

 

[Muckman83]

Whatever you end up with, how ever you have it organized, make sure you have a fire extinguisher or two easily accessible.

Making fire is easy. Putting it out when it's where you dont want it...not so much.

V/R
Bogie

I have a white band black band and the garden hose


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[crewchief888]

Who is HF ?


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Harbor freight

northern tool would be another place to look.

 

[BodyMovin]

I have the HF one for my little welder and it works well. If you do not weld everyday its pretty handy. I have been using it for about 6-7 years and it has held up.

 

[TractorJeff]

A decent cart to store the welder on and an outlet to power it near the door plus a table. Weld right at the doorway or outside. You will be grinding bevels to get proper fill and dimensions. Then grinding out your imperfections!
Stink and Dust outside or nearly outside!

 

[bradleykd]

I'd get a sheet of heavy gauge aluminum or 1/4" steel that you can lay on that motorcycle lift. voila, a height adjustable welding table! When you're done, lean the sheet against the wall.

Get you a little harbor freight folding one too for a pinch when there is a bike on the lift and you need to weld something for it.

 

[dcg9381]

Welding table is a good idea. A fire extinguisher is a MUST. It sound like most of your exhaust welding will be off vehicle. You'll still be surprised how much splatter you get on the floor.

I also bought a fiberglass welding blanket, which helps when I know I'm going to be slagging the floor a bit..

 

[ZRX61]

The first thing you need is a GOOD fire extinguisher...seriously.

AND a 5 gal bucket of water.

 

[Modern Jess]

I'm in a similar boat -- not enough space for all the things I want to do. I went with a DeWalt fold-up welding table.

It's pretty good, but it's not absolutely perfectly flat. Lately, I use it with the legs folded on top of my bench for tig work. That puts it up high enough that I can get my face pretty close to the weld.

 

[Muckman83]

Harbor freight

northern tool would be another place to look.

Sorry I, Australian we don’t have that here lol
I think our equivalent is Bunnings lol


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[Muckman83]

Welding table is a good idea. A fire extinguisher is a MUST. It sound like most of your exhaust welding will be off vehicle. You'll still be surprised how much splatter you get on the floor.

I also bought a fiberglass welding blanket, which helps when I know I'm going to be slagging the floor a bit..

All welds on the vehicles will be TIG


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[Muckman83]

A decent cart to store the welder on and an outlet to power it near the door plus a table. Weld right at the doorway or outside. You will be grinding bevels to get proper fill and dimensions. Then grinding out your imperfections!
Stink and Dust outside or nearly outside!

Is there much of that with Tig welding ?
Iv been around a lot of stick welding jobs and yeh it’s messy.


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[Muckman83]

I like these table setups but I’m assuming I’m going to be needing a vice of some sort arched to the bench am I right ?
My friend said if I’m doing pipe work I’m going to need something to hold the pipe at many angles.




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[PoorOwner]

I had the HF (nomad clone) and it sucked, just practicing beads warped it and also it was hot enough to burn off the zinc plating and is making me sick. (zinc fumes makes everyone sick). Not sure if it's just zinc and it's gold like chromium that's even worse.

I upgraded to a miller which is just a medium thickness is much thicker than nomad.

Good luck though with the exhaust project it is not the easiest thing to do in TIG especially for beginner (takes lots of skills and time)

 

[Muckman83]

I upgraded to a miller which is just a medium thickness is much thicker than nomad.

You talking about this one ?




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[jubilee]

I bought one of those HF black 5 drawer carts they have on sale for $99 every now and then about 8 years ago. Actually bought 3 of them and made welding cart/tables for my Grandson and SIL also. Very well made.
Put a 3/16 steel top on them, hanging over side 2 inches to accommodate clamps, grounds, and ect. Plenty of storage in drawers and underneath. Easy to roll with drawers fully loaded with rod, spools, all welding paraphernalia.
I put a couple of hinged hangers that fold out front to hang mig/tig torch, spool, or electrode holder.
I put a 110 outlet on front of cart, ran cord around back to plug into wall or extension cord. Keeps grinder cord or any electrical cord off top of table and away from heat. Did the same with air. 4’ air hose coiled on side with chuck in back. Not standing or tripping on cords or hoses while working or burning holes in airline.
I have my welders (3) and plasma cutters. (2) all in one corner of home garage. I just roll my modified HF cart over to area and get after it

 

[TimTaylor75]

I've been looking at this one for a minute and after seeing it in person at the Ocala store, it's defintely the one I'm going with.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200712274_200712274

 

[K13]

I have one of the actual Nomad tables. It is the best $140 I have ever spent. I use it constantly. Never warped, never had anything burn off it. Buying cheap knockoff **** gives you cheap knockoff ****.

 

[shawnspeed]

https://weldtables.com/collections/...elding-table-top-kit-most-popular-pro-top-kit

I have one and love it... I do Motorcycle frame work , and header work..

 

[TractorJeff]

Is there much of that with Tig welding ?
Iv been around a lot of stick welding jobs and yeh it’s messy.


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My Bad! I saw the Blue Box but didn't look close enough to see its a TIG! I was assuming its a MIG!

 

[Muckman83]

I’m confused on what type of table to get aswel
What’s the go with the holes ?





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[CraigStu]

The holes are for bolting things down like the example on the Nomad table. I have a very similar welder to yours in the Miller brand for 10 years now. A couple of thoughts for you.
1- the key to great welds is to be in a very comfortable position while doing it. My small weld bench is at a height where it is easy for me to bend slightly and rest my elbows/forearms on the edge of the table. This way I can have my eyes 8-10 inches from the weld. Another option is at a sitting height.
2- The nice thing about Tig is there is nearly zero stuff flying. You can actually weld inside a car w/ a little thought ahead of time.
3- 90% of the time I don't clamp to the bench. It is plain steel w/ no paint. The ground clamp is on the frame for the bench. Just lay your parts on it and weld. Once in a while the hi freq arc will start but the main power won't kick in. Move the part a little sliding it across the bench top to improve the ground contact.
4- You are going to love Tig. For me it is the easiest of all types of welding. Regulate your gas flow to the minimum needed and you will be surprised how you can get a molten puddle going and it will just sit there. Much less blowing through compared to other types.
5- Not sure how you will store your welder but be VERY careful to lock that gas tank down so no way it can fall over. You will notice that most weld carts have a built in spot to secure the tank.

 

[bdbecker]

I’m confused on what type of table to get aswel
What’s the go with the holes?...

TimTaylor linked this table in his earlier post. There are some pics on NT's website that show how the holes come into play. Basically, its a temporary/modular fixture system.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200712274_200712274

Certiflat might be another option - looks like there are some distributors in Australia.

https://weldtables.com/collections/...elding-table-top-kit-most-popular-pro-top-kit

 

[alfazer]

I love this one, the way it slides and adjusts for size. The whole video is great but 05.00 on is where it gets even better.

 

[Falcon67]

HF has a small portable welding table. I think it folds up flat.

That and a 3x5 steel top table I bought at an auction work for me. Also would advise not wearing flip flops while welding. At least not regularly.

 

[Muckman83]

I might go with the nomad. It looks simple to use and eazy to stow away.

Still get a welding trolly to put the gas bottle on and welder on. Storage is the big key here and I move house every 2 years or so, so I’m probably going to be in a different garage setup in the next few years so all this has to be pulled down and put together.

Eventually I will invest in a small shed out back. I just brought a bench top sandblasting Cabinet lol




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[stewie97]

We designed these for the welders at work. Similar to the strong hand tables with pretty much infinite clamping, and the tubes make great receiver hitches.

If a tube gets jacked up for some reason its very easy to cut the tacks off the bottom and replace it as well.

This concept could easily be shrink down to fit a smaller space.

 

[nadogail]

Who is HF ?


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HF is shorthand for Harbor Freight Tools.

 

[nzjkb5]

I have one of the Harbor Freight folding welding tables, and for $60 I think it is awesome! Yep, the finish is burned off over a lot of it, but I never got sick from it. I haven't needed to weld anything very precise, so I don't know how flat the table is, but for $60 on sale or with a coupon, I think it is hard to beat. Mine is probably about 4-6 years old, though, so I don't know if it is different than the tables that are in the stores now.

 

[MJK]

I have a similar setup to yours and made a workbench shelf topper out of 3/16" sheet steel. When I weld, it is a grounded welding table. When I don't, it is an easy to clean workbench.