Small Welding Folding table

[TeckniX]

I've been toying with the idea of adding a small fold-down table to the side of my tool cart.
I don't have a huge need for a big welding table yet, but would like to have a good metal surface to put the items to be welded on and prevent fiddling with the grounding clamp.

I'm thinking about using something like this to allow the fold down:

The question is, how convenient is this (if you've had one before)?
Where to get cheaper metal plates (lowes/home depot get to be expensive)?
If you've made one, please share!

Thanks

 

[BPJOOP93]

look through the welding table thread. lots of good ideas on there

 

[TeckniX]

Yup I looked through yesterday, but didn't smaller side ones - Everyone has really nice setups. :[

This one is a great idea, just need some skills to replicate it. haha

http://shopngarage.com/2011/09/folding-portable-welding-table/

 

[Jack Olsen]

If you weld (and of course that's why you're building the little side-rider table), then all you really need is to weld on a hinge vertically down below the bench top with a triangle piece that swings out. When the table is down, the traingle would fold like a door against the cart. Then you swing the steel table piece up and swing the triangle out to support it from below.

 

[TeckniX]

If you weld (and of course that's why you're building the little side-rider table), then all you really need is to weld on a hinge vertically down below the bench top with a triangle piece that swings out. When the table is down, the traingle would fold like a door against the cart. Then you swing the steel table piece up and swing the triangle out to support it from below.

Hmm that is not a bad idea - I was trying to make something more of a 1-step pull, but I like the folding triangle view. Reminds me of folding table I had as a kid.

Thanks for the input!

 

[KST1]

If you plan to pound on it a bit (and you will eventually), you might consider Jack's idea but with a triangle on each side of the table. That way you would have double the support on each end, which would prevent twisting and torquing of the hinge. For light duty, you would only need to fold one brace out.

-Derek

 

[Ray-CA]

I just got a sheet of metal about 24" x 18" and welded a length of angle to one side. Clamp that in the jaws of my Workmate, attach the grounding clamp and go to work. My little 110v Lincoln unit doesn't build up enough heat to worry about and the table is very easy to take down/store.

Ray

 

[TeckniX]

Ray that's another good way of doing it - Unfortunately I don't have a workmate or vise just yet - So that's out of the question unfortunately.

Seems that the folding angles are a winner so far - I'll post a little diy if I do make it

 

[Jagmandave]

I think if you make a table that's attached to something like a tool box or bench that it will really limit what you can use it for. I built a small, portable, wheeled table out of scraps that's really worked out well. I added the small vise and use that a lot especially when grinding stuff. In one of the other pics the table had some slots, those look like they'd be really helpful for clamping stuff down.

View media item 24382
View media item 24383

 

[FastKat]

Forget the table - let's talk about that E-type!

 

[Steevo]

Forget the table - let's talk about that E-type!

That's all I could see in the pics too.
Love the 60's vintage xke's!