Thoughts on building welding table using rollaway chest as base?

[Bobby B.]

Hi all, first post here. This looks like a high-quality board with many great people contributing and I've really enjoyed familiarizing myself with it so far.

Have been toying with an idea for a welding table and thought I'd fish for some input. I'd like to build a welding table -- perhaps 4X6 just to throw a preliminary measurement out there, not married to anything in particular. In scanning the Craigslist postings, I always see lots of rollaway tool chests, including one guy selling decently priced blems.

If I found one or perhaps two lower chests of the right size that were robust enough (I tend to favor older tools and items as I typically find them to be of higher quality), what are your thoughts on using them to comprise the base of the table?

I'm thinking of putting one (or two) on each end facing out, create a frame out of rectangle stock linking them in the right dimensions, maybe adding a piece on each end to give some elevation for the table top so that heat could dissipate, and topping with 3/8 plate. Since the chests are on casters, that would save from buying them separately.

Any input is appreciated. I'm a big fan of simplicity and maximizing usage and space. FYI the welding table may also end up being home for a chop saw.

Thanks in advance and take care -- Bobby

 

[garfunkle24]

I agree on the maximising of space but I haven't seen it done too much, especially for a welding bench.

I don't think I'd really like it. You'll have to make sure all the drawers are closed, all the time. I know that eventuallyI would just need to "run a quick bead" and would spatter all of my tools. I would then do this approximately once a week until I owned a mass of scarred, VD-ridden looking tools.

 

[flamewerks]

Every time you hammered on something everything would go flying around inside the drawers, too. I have been wanting to build a welding table with some drawers, but I'll probably just put some sheet metal doors with hinges on it. Keeps it looking clean and you can stow away bigger stuff underneath.

 

[mjb]

A 4x6 of 3/8 will weigh about 370 pounds. I would build a frame with good casters and mount the chest under it.

Good luck!

 

[skeletonizer]

I think it is a good idea.

I don't think the OP ever had the intention to store a large collection of Snap on tools in the chests that would be potentially damaged by using the table for it's intended purpose.

I would find some chests with larger/deeper drawers and fill them with clamps, files, grinders and such. A couple of my pals have these items out hanging on the front of the table or on the wall neardy. Too cluttered IMO. Having everything stowed is what I like, must come from spending time at sea.

 

[Bobby B.]

Thanks for the input so far; I appreciate it.

As far as what goes in the drawers, it would be stuff like clamps, grinding wheels, the 4 1/2 grinder, extension cords, and the like. Also, regulator/nozzles, rods, hammers, etc.

I had wondered about weight. Not sure how good those toolbox casters would hold up. Also, regardless of it being on wheels, if it's too heavy to move, it's too heavy to move. Would 1/2 plate be adequate I wonder?

Everything would have to make for a good fit for me to get going on this, from height and quality to price. I'm in no rush and I enjoy cooking up these ideas, even if they don't turn out to be feasible. I find it fun to cook up shop stuff and projects.

 

[Swampy]

Build a real table. Eventually you will use that nice table to beat things into submission, maybe drive out an old bearing race, something awkward in the vise, or whatever. You will need a good platform... the heavier the better for any real work!

 

[GN4WHLN]

I think you might find your drawers full of grinding dust and splatter. You might think about going with a thicker top, say 1/2 or 3/4 and drill and tap it for using clamping fixtures. I would add a vise or 1 or more hitch receivers to hold tools such as the vice or a bender, etc as necessary. This will keep your work area unobstructed. Typically, welding tables have some expanded sheet (allows the dust to fall tot he ground) shelving below for grinders and a cut off saw and bars to hang C clamps. If you incorporate the box(es), set them back from the edge enough that you can clamp at the edges of the table. I think If I were going to incorporate a box into a table, I would probably build a frame out of 2X2X.25 square tube that would hold the box, add some hangers for a grinder(s), add a receiver, a bar for C clams far enough under they don't get any splatter on the threads and add at least a 1/2 inch top, drilled and tapped on 4 inch centers.

 

[Skyline]

Here's another idea that might fit your requirements:

Rather than tying the welding table to the roll cab, make a table with wheels that fits over a small roll cab. I would make the table about 2' wider than the roll cab, so that there could be a half shelf underneath the table to stow the chop saw. When you wanted to weld, you could roll the roll cab out to give you some extra table top area (perhaps for the chop saw). When done, the roll cab could go back under the table. Solves all the problems associated with ruining the roll cab while welding, or over-taxing the weight limit of the roll cab, yet will still all stow away as one package.

 

[Bobby B.]

Good food for thought here.

I suppose I should back up and explain why I'm considering this project instead of just simply building a nice table as I've seen in many threads here. The house's previous owners converted the garage into a second living room, and that space transitions directly into the kitchen & rest of house via a large open doorway and tiled bar/countertop with large opening. We've converted it back into a garage/shop area. As a result, we ostensibly have a drive in kitchen, and you see everything and the truggy from inside the house (which we're good with). While it is a working garage and not a primadonna, we are making a larger effort to keep things clean, organized and somewhat out of site while readily accessible and fully functional.

I already have a workbench w/vise and grinder on the other side out of sight from the kitchen opening (where jobs like pounding out wheel bearings get done) as well as a smaller bench for bike work (ex pro road/mtb mech here). The primary tool rollaways are there too.

I'm now more leaning toward your notions of building a table that rolls over a rollaway, as I'd really like to have a good looking storage solution over there. Plus, I really like this tool chest/cart combo I saw at sears (that I can throw stuff in to move about). That also could slide under the welding table when not in use. I do want to incorporate some way to clamp things down to the table; perhaps a combo of drilled/tapped holes along with the clamp vise or the like that I'm getting for the base of the drill press.

Another reason why I have to keep things stowed and compact is that the garage is not as wide as a typical 2-car (more like a one and a half car) plus there's a big *** fireplace in the wallcorner taking up valuable real estate over near where the welding table will be situated.

Yes, a fireplace in the shop. Ridiculous, yes, but I'll be warm in winter (LOL) plus I'm going to get one of those exhaust hoses and run it out the chimney so I don't gas up the house.

Thanks again for the ideas, keep 'em coming!

 

[DCarr]

I would consider building a welding table and then have a roll a way that fits underneath the table.

 

[Bencrx91]

I actually think it's a good idea.

I wanted to build the same thing a few months ago.
Just didn't get a chance to work on it yet, but the metal is purchased.

I wanted to make a frame out of 2x2 square metal tubing, incorporate tool storage and then put a a old furnace fan in the middle as a downdraft to pickup welding fume and vent it outside.

Got busy, but hey, here is the "draft" of the table I had planned to build.
I think the size was 4' x 6'.

Enjoy.

 

[Bobby B.]

That's very similar to what I was thinking.

Only differences being no fan and I was going to put a frame up top to both mount the surface and space it up a bit. This way I could have the toolbox' original eight casters in place to share the load instead of four; I'm thinking they would not be as robust as ones you'd choose for a heavy, purpose built welding table. I like the graphics you put together to mock up things up.

 

[Bencrx91]

The graphics were made using "Google Sketchup" software.
It's a free 3d design software. Check it out http://www.google.com
Cheers,
Ben

 

[GN4WHLN]

Since the primary purpose is as a welding table, think about what height is most comfortable for you to weld at. If it is too high, it can be uncomfortable or render part of the table useless because it is too difficult to get to.

 

[35mastr]

I actually think it's a good idea.

I wanted to build the same thing a few months ago.
Just didn't get a chance to work on it yet, but the metal is purchased.

I wanted to make a frame out of 2x2 square metal tubing, incorporate tool storage and then put a a old furnace fan in the middle as a downdraft to pickup welding fume and vent it outside.

Got busy, but hey, here is the "draft" of the table I had planned to build.
I think the size was 4' x 6'.

Enjoy.

Looks great. Just round off the corners of the table so that you will keep your forehead intact when going into those drawers.

 

[Brad54]

Actually, I know a guy who made his own fab table like you're describing. He's a bit of an over-achiever, and started with a pile of ball-bearing drawer slides and sheetmetal. He made his own frame and drawers--he had drawers in one end that were VERY deep. There were cabinet doors or drawers on all four sides, and he actually had two of them in his shop.
The drawer and cabinet faces were brushed stainless or aluminum, I don't remember. It had big industrial-grade casters with brakes on them, a steel frame, and a thick top. they were beasts. It also had a bolt welded to the opposite corners of the frame uprights, as a ground lug. That's a tip I'll duplicate on my table.

I don't want my table to be portable--I want it to be rock solid and ready to take a beating. It's going to be a work table that I can weld on. I have a 3x5 sheet of 1/2-inch thick metal, and I'll make the frame out of C-channel. I may put some storage lockers under it, but now that I think about it, a tool box might not be a bad idea!

Speaking of tool boxes, I have a vintage Craftsman roll-away for my welder cart. I'm going to modify it to put a bottle holder on the end, and holders for the gun cable and extension cord, plus a few other upgrades. But it works really well--spare tips, spools of wire, the tools you use at the welder (tip pliers, wire cutter, wrench to change the bottle, tape measure, cleco clamps, magnets, markers, copper backers), my gloves and leathers go in the drawers, welding helmet (and a stove-pipe "Buddy Helmet") go in the bottom storage area. It's the cat's ***!

-Brad

 

[mjb]

This thread gave me the idea, so I thought I would post my results.

I made the table and planned on putting in some shelves until I read this thread. I kept watching Craigslist for cabinets, but had no luck. I went to Sears and got two five drawer cabinets for $99 each.

I made a sub-frame out of one inch square for them to sit on.

Nothing like ten more drawers and no less space in the garage.

Heck, I have some room for another small cabinet.

 

[Vernmotor]

That looks great !!! Nice job

 

[jhn9840]

MJb,

Fantastic idea for your lathe. I assume your using the cabinet for your tooling, great use of spce.

jhn9840
John

 

[Bobby B.]

That looks real clean. Dig it!

 

[InPrimer]

I've been kicking around ideas for a steel welding table, my 1st choise is cradeling between the openings of my 4 post lift, its heavy can adjust it to any height, and really is not in the way, it will be removable for whatever reason and a eng hoist can be used to install/remove it approx 36" wide and 48" long, food for thought...

 

[Rocket]

Here's one of mine,
No draws, just a different option.