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Thoughts about this as a welding table?

bmwracer

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Aug 18, 2016
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Welding newbie looking to setup a little welding station in the garage. Nothing crazy and will likely start with an HF Titanium 125 flux welder. Thinking this would make a great welding table. Any thoughts? And is there tree any reason not to put it on casters? Does the table itself need to be grounded to something?

“This” is a Uline Industrial Steel Packing Table. Forum won’t let me post pic or link because I’m new here.

uline.com/Product/Detail/H-1135-STEEL/Industrial-Packing-Tables/Industrial-Packing-Table-60-x-30-Steel-Top?pricode=WA9078&gadtype=pla&id=H-1135-STEEL&gclid=CjwKCAjw07qDBhBxEiwA6pPbHkjxSajtRQbY3TLi_zBkkVPYJzpg438zo164tci1E2xo2CCMueuZxBoC1sYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

TIA

Adam
 
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karoc

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Welcome to GJ forum, I'm like you just like to kinda play around welding stuff. Can't see table using your link but I always wanted one to be able to roll around. Having nice heavy flat top to kinda tack weld jigs would also be nice.
 

Kaizen

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No. That top is sheet metal. Thick but still sheet metal. It’s not two inches of solid metal.
Look at certiflat tables. And don’t just get a flux. Spend a little and get one that you can use flux to start but expand if you like it.


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danfromsyr

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I guess it all depends on what you are looking to build and weld..

I use a U-line warehouse cart. it's sheet metal and it has a small 4in vise clamped to it..

my primary welder for 20years has been a 120amp Lincoln MIG that retailed for only a couple hundred bucks. my father the steel worker couldn't ever bring himself to buy a small mig machine. but I fix everything from truck frames & trailers to rake handles with it..
you don't need a heavy duty big bucks unit for most hobby craft welding.
and there's no harm in having a cheaper smaller back up unit if you do decide your needs are greater later.

it's all good.
 

lilredex

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You can use almost anything as a welding table. This is what I use. The last one is easiest to access as it is right by the door.
 

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dogdog

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Probably a no... fine as a work table... the problem is the wood core of that table top... might caught fire after some use......... It's steel top but wood core. Look at the package weight... In a pinch, I have used a wood table top on top of a pair of saw horse.. but I see wood, if it burns I know...

you are better off with a HF fordable if you are short on $$ there is the upgrade of that for 2x more...

or something like these..

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


I think arcflat / Certiflat sells table tops ... only or that Fireball look alike ones are nice.
 

BukitCase

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I've been using a table exactly like that for a couple decades or more; mine does NOT have a wood core under the steel, and after watching the vid neither does theirs, it gets what stiffness it has by the double rolled edges.

I made mine more usable by bolting 2 pieces of 2" angle around the right front corner, then welding the two together with one side of the angle flush with the table top - this gave me enough "meat" for a 4" vise - the angle across the end gets my weld clamp, which makes the whole table top live without having to move the ground.

The room itself is only 8'x10', I call it my "phone booth" - because it has a sliding door on one end I can "sorta" work on longer stuff, sometimes painful but usually works.

I still use that table for smaller projects, I've since added a 3'x4' steel table with heavy angle frame and 3/8" top - then later, a 3'x7' steel table with a 1" thick steel top, both CL finds and located in a different area -

The 3'x4' table morphed into a "drilling station" for mag drill with its own large vise, and dual DP vises on an xy table...

My long drawn out point (as pointed out already) is that whatever works beats the **** outa NOTHING, and as you get older that definitely includes NOT workin' on a concrete (or gravel) floor...

Oh, I also got a couple of the little HF "TV tray" welding tables -

I also fabbed and welded an entire 24'x24' roof frame just using jack stands/wixey angle cubes and shims - the finished 8'x12' frame modules (welded up in a 12'x12' area) were DEAD FLAT, and diagonals were less than 1/64" different.

I personally think that for the money, the Uline table CAN work - but it'd work BETTER if you're able to stiffen a corner like I did... Steve
 
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WhoWhatNow

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If you are just staring out there is nothing wrong with the HF table. Replace the hardware with decent stuff and it will be fine. Since you are starting with a 110V flux core welder you will most likely be welding thinner material so the weight rating will be more than adequate.

https://www.harborfreight.com/adjustable-steel-welding-table-61369.html

Save your money for a 220V machine when you decide to move up.
 
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DGersic

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Welding newbie looking to setup a little welding station in the garage. Nothing crazy and will likely start with an HF Titanium 125 flux welder. Thinking this would make a great welding table. Any thoughts? And is there tree any reason not to put it on casters? Does the table itself need to be grounded to something?



“This” is a Uline Industrial Steel Packing Table. Forum won’t let me post pic or link because I’m new here.



uline.com/Product/Detail/H-1135-STEEL/Industrial-Packing-Tables/Industrial-Packing-Table-60-x-30-Steel-Top?pricode=WA9078&gadtype=pla&id=H-1135-STEEL&gclid=CjwKCAjw07qDBhBxEiwA6pPbHkjxSajtRQbY3TLi_zBkkVPYJzpg438zo164tci1E2xo2CCMueuZxBoC1sYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds



TIA



Adam


567e8e670566b54335b4fdf5dd5dedf4.jpg

Looks pretty nice, if you have the room for it. I don’t. For a basic steel table to start, it looks fine. I started with less, and while my welding isn’t pretty, I’m getting better at it.

If you’re in the Chicago area (hint: add your location), I have a HF table I’m looking to get rid of.




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John in OH

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You might also want to checkout this little $70 welding table from Harbor Freight:

61369_W3 (1).jpg https://www.harborfreight.com/adjustable-steel-welding-table-61369.html

I bought one for use in a distant outbuilding on one of my farms. It has worked fine for intended application. The top is only sheet metal, but for light work it is OK. Advantages are the top will tilt to just about any angle which makes it easier to weld sometimes.

Also, it folds flat and can be hung on the wall when not in use. Might save you some valuable floor space
 

CraigStu

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There have been quite a few comments on the table so I'll leave that alone. I do want to second the post about getting a mig that can also run gas. You will be happy in the long run that you did.
 

Vtor

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Look for Commercial Steel (commonly called fire doors) door without windows. Build or buy some legs. Mostly flat and good enough to start on.
 
OP
B

bmwracer

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Aug 18, 2016
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Thanks everyone for the input - you took me to Northern Tool and their welding table and Klutch MiG 140 unit look like a great starter set. The table comes with a bunch of accessories and the welder either flux or MIG and seems to come ready to do both out of box (yes I know I need to get gas) and a 3 yr warranty on welder which seems from my research to be pretty damn good at this level. Will be keeping an eye out for sales on both or a coupon and will post up when I get things setup. Thank you!
 

nadogail

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I have used a partial sheet of Hardie Backer board on Saw Horses. Stacked Milk Crates will also hold your bench top away from the floor

After you quit laughing, remember everything was repurposed and free; I was not on my knees anymore.
 

rmmiller

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Kennewick, WA
Thanks everyone for the input - you took me to Northern Tool and their welding table and Klutch MiG 140 unit look like a great starter set. The table comes with a bunch of accessories and the welder either flux or MIG and seems to come ready to do both out of box (yes I know I need to get gas) and a 3 yr warranty on welder which seems from my research to be pretty damn good at this level. Will be keeping an eye out for sales on both or a coupon and will post up when I get things setup. Thank you!

Good choice, for a little more that Klutch table is way more versatile thank the Harbor Freight unit. I plan to buy one as soon as we're in our house. My plan is to enclose it with fans and filtration and use it as a grinding, cutting and welding table for the small tuff. Might as well try to contain some of the mess!
 

PugetDude

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Superstition Mountains, AZ
I have used a partial sheet of Hardie Backer board on Saw Horses. Stacked Milk Crates will also hold your bench top away from the floor

After you quit laughing, remember everything was repurposed and free; I was not on my knees anymore.

I started off with a hollow core door on sawhorses, added a piece of cement board when I burned up the door. Now using an antique cast iron typesetting table with a machined top. It's too small, and a ***** to clamp anything down.
Someday I'll build a nice welding table but I have been too busy with welding projects in the meantime. ;)
 

TractorJeff

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Dec 8, 2013
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Elkhorn, WI
The little Black and Decker Folding/Clamping Table everyone on here loves works good with a sheet of 3/16" laid on it. I do have 2 welding tables, one inside close to the Door and one outside on the Apron but on portable jobs, I use the B&D.
 

BD1

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Mar 18, 2007
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north side
Maybe consider a old cast iron top table saw.
I bought one for the motor of $20.00.
I setup the saw next to my welding table to set grinders and welding clamps etc. on.
Cheap solid flat top storage for $20.00


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