(Sorta) finished my welding table/work benches

[pipsters]

My garage is small, and I wanted a welding table because I was tired of working on the floor. But I also needed a work bench.

My local steel supplier does not sell by the # and doesn't sell remnants so you must buy the whole sheet, so I cropped up a plan to use a 4x8 sheet to make two 2x5' work benches and sold the 3x4 sheet left over on CL.

Here is what I ended up with. It's not *perfectly* square on top, since it was sheared, is about 1/8" off flat from edge to edge length wise but it'll work for now.

I used 3/8" top and 1/8" 2x2 tubing. The bottom shelf is 13 gauge 1/2" expanded metal. The casters I cheapened out on and went with Amazon specials. They are 5" stem casters that thread into a nut I welded on the bottom.

I'm not totally sure if I will paint it or not, as it would require a lot of scrubbing to get all the oil off. I do plan to customize it a little more at least with one being a dedicated welding area; I plan to put some hooks and hang my helmet and grinder on it.

 

[sixleaker]

Looks great Simple and effective. I've been meaning to get around to building some. Wanted one for welding and a torch/plasma area similar to these I found somewhere on the inner web

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[pepi]

I am looking at the plasma table and it strikes me that you would really need to pay attention as to how you make the cuts. I like the catch and the bucket for the slag, but I can see some ah shits happening. Not ever using a plasma cuter I maybe missing something there.

The other table is the bomb, that one looks nice and functional. Could get good true assemblies built on that.

 

[Builder302]

Nice work, I might copy the design myself. Do the tables **** together well?

 

[pipsters]

Nice work, I might copy the design myself. Do the tables **** together well?

That was the intent! I had planned to drill holes in the back 2x2 and insert bolts to bolt them together to give me a 4x5 table if I needed. However, my fabrication skills aren't up to that level and it didn't quite work out perfectly that way, mostly because the internal structure slightly warped the outside frame. But if you're good enough it's certainly possible.

 

[Hghgrad]

I like that plasma table. Would keep my concrete a lot nicer!

If I get my new house with the barns, I'll have room for something like that and I'm going to build one. I don't have room for anything right now unfortunately.

 

[cwh]

I think you are going to love those two tables. Nice to be able to move things around and shove everything out of the way without an act of god.

 

[srmofo]

I am looking at the plasma table and it strikes me that you would really need to pay attention as to how you make the cuts. I like the catch and the bucket for the slag, but I can see some ah shits happening. Not ever using a plasma cuter I maybe missing something there.

The other table is the bomb, that one looks nice and functional. Could get good true assemblies built on that.

The center of the table is sacrificial. Since the torch wont cut (most of them) as deep as the 'slats' you just your piece flat on the table and go to town.
Once the table is burned up you just replace the center slat. Some people built them where the slats just drop into a groove other build the whole assembly and it gets replaced as a whole.

The other table is a member here. I shamelessly stole his idea, but havent got to finishing it because of time and space constraints. I dont have room for another workbench so I have to get rid of one which requires new shelving which requires me to finish the ceiling which just isnt happening right now. It never ends. Ive made it as far as drilling/torching the holes and welding the top frame together as well as prepping the 'slats' and bolts.