small tanker for welding desk

[LutzTD]

I want to use this small sized tanker desk for a TIG welding bench, mostly for small stuff. I will put my welder on the left side which is why I was looking for the small sized one. I will raise the legs to get a top height im comfortable with but I also want to put a steel plate on top. Any recommendations for steel type and thickness? Im thinking of hot rolled plate 1/2 thick, I can sand off the scale and lightly oil it to make a nice work surface, also looking at 1/4" thick for cost, just looking to see if someone has done something similar.

thanx

 

[Bugeyed Earl]

I had the identical desk in my garage for a few years (and given your location, I wouldn't be shocked if it was the same one!) I would have loved to extend the legs and add some heavy duty casters, but I eventually decided it was too deep and took up too much space.

It should make a great welding table, that thing is seriously solid and stable. My only concern would be the material that the top surface is made from, it wouldn't take a stretch of the imagination to think there could be something nasty in that 1950's composition material. If you go with the thick plate, I'd imagine it wouldn't be an issue, but with a thinner skin on the top, I'd seriously consider replacing the top deck with a known material first.

 

[rsanter]

I don't understand the benefit of starting with the desk.
If you are going to use a thick steel plate for the top why not just add the legs and there is your welding table. What is the desk going to do for you?

Bob

 

[BD1]

I think by making a angle iron or tube frame for the top it will keep the top flat. Then just set on top of desk with some ears to keep it secure on desk. This will give you a little more height too and use the 1/4'' plate.
You realize that once you do this you will want another welding table. It is just the way it works.

 

[LutzTD]

I think by making a angle iron or tube frame for the top it will keep the top flat. Then just set on top of desk with some ears to keep it secure on desk. This will give you a little more height too and use the 1/4'' plate.
You realize that once you do this you will want another welding table. It is just the way it works.

you are right about that, someone here built a really awesome fixtureing table I plan to copy, but this will get me through for a while

I don't understand the benefit of starting with the desk.
If you are going to use a thick steel plate for the top why not just add the legs and there is your welding table. What is the desk going to do for you?

rather than build up the structure and then add drawers, which I want for tig wire and consumables, I can use this desk. It very easy to raise as it has very stout legs that are threaded on the bottom, I will just fab four round stock extensions threaded on either end and screw them into the legs, piece of cake.

 

[LutzTD]

I had the identical desk in my garage for a few years (and given your location, I wouldn't be shocked if it was the same one!) I would have loved to extend the legs and add some heavy duty casters, but I eventually decided it was too deep and took up too much space.

It should make a great welding table, that thing is seriously solid and stable. My only concern would be the material that the top surface is made from, it wouldn't take a stretch of the imagination to think there could be something nasty in that 1950's composition material. If you go with the thick plate, I'd imagine it wouldn't be an issue, but with a thinner skin on the top, I'd seriously consider replacing the top deck with a known material first.

yeah I was thinking about the material, maybe with the angle iron frame suggested below your post and then maybe get some fiber board insulator between the 1/4 steel top and the desk top mystery material. I also thought about the depth being a little much but it will give me room for outlets for electric and water and still room to have the cords and airline clear away from the welding

 

[sberry]

You got the right idea, find any suitable plate for that, 1/4 is beyond plenty for simple garage work and the time saved use of space starting out with used desk is perfect. I have 3 of them, one peeled the top off and was steel underneath, took some scrap made some shelves, added a cubby for pans and made it rig with the pallet jack.

Old pic but can get the idea, super cheap, super fast, could do wood addition version etc I got a drawer dedicated to staplers,,, ha, 1/2 for springs etc.

 

[sberry]

Point I was trying to make is one doesnt need to be limited to the top for options, a lot could be added to that desk via appliance steel. My need for a booth is not tig but occasional stick work/training I want to do in inclimate weather where vent is a concern.

But for tig I might strip top off, I believe it to be metal underneath? Start with laying any plate on it, making up jigs, can attatch a huge amount of pieces via screwgun etc, and then some.

 

[sberry]

Your desk allows for some more lateral room than my makeshift booth. A little metal jacket from a set of used appliances would make a perfect addition, all free and finished, scuff and paint, snip cut many pieces. I could build the booth again about one step easier but it was simple quick cause I used the basic dimensions, I had to add a little heigth, I dont have to bend over far to work overhead and vertical is right in front.

My master helper figured we could weld some stinky fitting in there the other day, worked great.

 

[taumac]

I say get some 3/8 steel the size of that top and some casters and have fun... easy and done