Some Welding Table Questions

[Zeeman]

I am planning to build a welding table using the base of an old Craftsman radial arm saw to put the top on. The top is 3/16 steel and the measurements are 26"x36" approximately.

The table will be used in my home garage/workshop and I don't plan to have any huge projects.

My welder is a Lincoln Handy Mig. I'm not a good welder. I'm just learning the basics. I don't have gas yet.

Questions:
1. Is my chosen base appropriate? Size? Sturdiness?
2. I have two separate pieces of steel that measure half the size mentioned above Should I bevel the edges before welding?
3. Should I leave a gap in the **** joint? If so, how wide?
4. My two pieces don't come together perfectly level. Should I just shim one sid till they are level?

I'm sure there will be more questions, but thanks for reading. I hope to get some expert advice.

 

[Shootinok]

Your base is a good start, and you can always upgrade later if you desire.
Definitely shim to level. A flat level top is best.



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[Zeeman]

Thanks Shootinok. That's encouraging. I wonder if it's OK to bolt the plate directly to the top of the base, or should there be air space in between?

 

[Kaizen]

No air space won’t matter much. I’d weld up some legs and weld the top on. You’re going to want to hammer and that base is the weak point. Sure it will work for now if you are itching. I’d weld it no bolts that can come loose


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[Zeeman]

Thanks Kaizen. This might just be temporary and one day I might weld some proper legs.

I did a terrible job of welding the two plates together and now it has a rise in the middle of about 1/8" +- in the middle. I think I'm screwed.

 

[matt_i]

Thanks Kaizen. This might just be temporary and one day I might weld some proper legs.

I did a terrible job of welding the two plates together and now it has a rise in the middle of about 1/8" +- in the middle. I think I'm screwed.

Is this because of the weld bead or the parts are not on the same plane anymore?

If its the former you just grind the weld bead, I recommend a flap wheel, easier to blend.

However if the latter, now is when you get out a thin cutoff disk for your angle grinder and slice those welds out, change to a flap wheel and clean the edges back up and now its time for Try 2.0

 

[Kaizen]

Thanks Kaizen. This might just be temporary and one day I might weld some proper legs.

I did a terrible job of welding the two plates together and now it has a rise in the middle of about 1/8" +- in the middle. I think I'm screwed.

Sledgehammer. Support it so just the problem area moves


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[Marctrees]

Make sure the top overhangs the base by at least approx 1 1/2" for work clamping.

Marc

 

[joe49]

The top at 3/16'' isn't such a good idea, add on you making it out of two pieces doubles the bad idea. A top of 1/2'' is a good size, though even 1/4'' will be a vast improvement.

 

[kursplat]

you're just learning. don't worry about having a heavy perfectly flat table yet.
practice a lot. learn how to get everything clamped together and tacked up square. learn how to position you and the work. you probably have a list of things you'd like to build, cool. start making stuff. use the table you already have. if you need something more, Fireball makes these great welding plates. you can get a lot done with just one of these and a couple clamps.

 

[Zeeman]

Is this because of the weld bead or the parts are not on the same plane anymore?

If its the former you just grind the weld bead, I recommend a flap wheel, easier to blend.

However if the latter, now is when you get out a thin cutoff disk for your angle grinder and slice those welds out, change to a flap wheel and clean the edges back up and now its time for Try 2.0

Exactly.
Just start welding.
You may hate and quit except as a dire need.
If you did what many people say to do in weld threads you'd never get to welding.

I'll post pictures of the ancient 2x4 wood we used as a plasma cutting table recently.
Upgrade as you go along, not before you go along.

Thanks, I appreciate the ideas. The table is almost complete now. I am satisfied with it except for the small-ish grinder marks/gouges. It will be used more as a project table for non-welding tasks than for actual welding. I'm OK with the way it turned out.

 

[Zeeman]

you're just learning. don't worry about having a heavy perfectly flat table yet.
practice a lot. learn how to get everything clamped together and tacked up square. learn how to position you and the work. you probably have a list of things you'd like to build, cool. start making stuff. use the table you already have. if you need something more, Fireball makes these great welding plates. you can get a lot done with just one of these and a couple clamps.

Thanks, That's the attitude I took when making the table. I always strive for as close to perfection as I can, but I also understand that I am a beginner.

 

[Zeeman]

Make sure the top overhangs the base by at least approx 1 1/2" for work clamping.

Marc

Done. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Zeeman]

Sledgehammer. Support it so just the problem area moves


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I went back and welded the other side, and it fixed the problem. It's not perfectly flat in the middle, but will work for my situation.

 

[Kaizen]

I went back and welded the other side, and it fixed the problem. It's not perfectly flat in the middle, but will work for my situation.

Ohhh thought it was completely welded already. Great to hear. Hardest thing in welding is managing movement


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[Zeeman]

Ohhh thought it was completely welded already. Great to hear. Hardest thing in welding is managing movement


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I agree about the hardest thing. Thanks for your help.