Two new tables

[Kev In]

Two new tables and projects

I retired from a 33 year career and bought a mig welder the same day. I watched a ton of uTube videos and with some feedback from a red sealed welder I taught myself how to mig weld.

After welding various projects, furniture, general repairs, and welding cart on temporary benches and the garage floor I finally decided to make two tables. The larger 3x5 table is my main welding table which also has a vice in a trailer reciever. The second table is 3x4 and is used for cutting and has a removable drop receiver platform for my dry cut saw. I will also use the smaller table for my new TIG welder I just bought. The smaller table also has more room for the TIG foot pedal.

Both tables are the same height and built with 1 1/2" square tubing. They each have lockable casters rated at 300lbs each. Both tables will be used together for larger projects and will also double as runoff tables for my table saw.

I am going to add copper grounds on each table for my ground clamps and will add a bottom shelf to the larger table for storage. However, the TIG needs a new cart, so it's taking priority tomorrow.

After building the TIG cart, I am going to learn how to tig....this will be a huge challenge, but looking forward to learning.

PS. I also posted a mig weld for feedback.

 

[royce]

Well done

Royce

 

[machine_punk]

Nicely done. How thick of a top did you go with? Do you find the table stays stable enough, while welding, with the casters? (it looks like you have locking casters, but I know those can still wiggle around some, even when locked).

Any reason for the difference in sizes (3x4 vs 3x5)? Is it just what you had available, or a specific design reason?

Well done. Looking forward to seeing future projects.

Kev

 

[Mr onetwo]

Good job on the tables.The only thing I might do is round the corners a bit...they look ouchy.

 

[thickhead]

Pretty dang cool and well done picking up a new craft.

 

[Kaizen]

Nice. Feedback on the weld. Nice and clean with good heat trance judging from penetration.
Curious if you researched those slot and weld tops before making yours? I'm making plans for one and torn between the pretty cnc cut ones and a basic one.


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[Duker]

Tables look great! Congrats on the retirement although now that you have the metal bug you will probably be busier than you were working full time! [emoji3]


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[Kev In]

The two tables came out of a 4x8 sheet of 1/4 plate. I would have like something a little thicker but it's what I had. The tables also fit nicely under/into my storage racks when not in use. I liked the idea of having a cutting table and a welding table. Both can also be put together for my fall project of making replacement railings on my decks.

I didn't research getting the slots cut into the top, maybe in the future a new table with clamp slots or holes if it doesn't cost a fortune.

The locking castors work well, however if it does start to slide with larger projects I will add levelling feet to each corner.

I will definitely round the corners....safety first!

Thank you

 

[machine_punk]

Oh...and how did you attach the top? Stitch welds?

Kev

 

[Kev In]

Hi Kev, yes I used stitch welds on both tables. I wanted to keep the heat down and if I ever wanted a thicker top it would be easy to zip it off.

 

[Kev In]

Got the TIG cart half built then got side tracked as family came over to build some end tables. I stained and varathaned the 2" Fir top for the coffee table that I started a few days ago too. Busy day, but fun.

 

[Kaizen]

Dude you need to slow down or open a business. Lol


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[Kev In]

Re: Two new tables plus TIG cart

I finished my TIG cart for my AHP200X. The yellow cart with black bases and red wheels looks better than I thought it would.

I am now building a 3 legged stool with screw type post so that I can comfortably sit at my tall welding tables.

 

[Richard Cranium]

looks good Kev, keep posting the new project pictures.

 

[Kev In]

3 legged stool all welded up. Now I need to make a wooden top with a foam pad and and simple cover to be stapled on. Thought about using a metal top, but it will be cold in the winter.

 

[Kev In]

Started to do some TIG work this last week, mostly a lot of practice! Quickly built a 3rd hand from a large pin which is 1.5" round and 5" long. Added 3 legs with some copper mig tips for feet screwed into 3 M6 nuts.

 

[thickhead]

You should have retired years ago, looks like you are having a blast!

 

[Kev In]

I am having a lot of fun and really enjoy welding. I am still spending a lot of time learning to TIG better as my goal is to TIG steel furniture, mostly coffee tables and end tables with barn wood tops. I also have three thick solid oak tops that I removed off a desk, hutch and runoff that will become new tops for 3 different pieces of furniture. My wife also wants a 5 x 12 dinning room table with thick steel legs. So, learning to perfect my TIG skills is something I do just about every day. Practice time under the hood are helping immensely.

Here is a sample TIG weld 130 amps 3/32 filler rod on 1/8th square tube. I believe my amps were a little high on this weld.

 

[ovrrdrive]

Looking great Kev... I sure do miss the days when I had that much room to move around in my garage. lol

 

[PugetDude]

I like where this thread is going; subscribed for updates.
Congratulations on your retirement.

 

[Kev In]

Here are some of my other projects that were done with my mig.

Tandem bike hitch mounted lockable rack.
Daughters road bike hitch mounted rack.
Mig welder cart.

 

[Kev In]

I found some time to finish off the wooden tops for these 3 end tables that are 18x18. Frames and legs are 1.5" square tube 0.125" wall with screw in levelling feet. The tops are made from 45 year old Fir that I salvaged from a bridge.

 

[skrap metal]

nice.

 

[southalabama]

Looks good. Love the look of old wood.