Welding Table Design and Construction

[-dirt-]

Hi All,

I'm about to start work on a simple welding table and would like feedback on my planned design.

I have a sheet of 1/8" steel that I plan to cut in half lengthwise with a torch. I'll weld these two pieces together on top of each other to make a decently thick tabletop. To weld the two sheets together, I plan to drill several 1" - 2" holes in the lower sheet. I'll then use those holes to plug weld the lower sheet to the upper. I'll put the two machined edges to the front and the two torch-cut edges to the rear. I may weld a piece of angle or something to the back to hide the ugly torch cut and/or provide a guide to grind that edge flush.

I'm going the plug weld route b/c this is my first real welding project, and I don't think I could make pretty beads on the edges where the two sheets meet. Please let me know if I am on the right track.

Not sure how to attach the legs yet. I plan use wooden 4x4s. If someone has any neat tricks, please pass them on. I want to keep the work flat w/ no bolt heads or anything, so bolting down through the top is out.

Thanks all!

 

[bobadame]

I don't think you should do this. The plug welds will cause much distortion, your table won't be flat. Tack weld the edges in a few places. You shouldn't need more than that to hold them together. What goes under the 2 layers of 1/8" steel?

 

[BPJOOP93]

I agree with bobadame. welding plugs will warp the top. a welding table with wood legs???? i would rethink that decision. not flamin ya just putting it out there.

 

[-dirt-]

Didn't think about the plugs warping the material. I could probably manage some tacks welds every couple feet or so around the perimeter.

I have some square stock that I can use as a frame under the sheet. Guess I'll need to do that too. Suggestions for the frame design shape?

 

[-dirt-]

I agree with bobadame. welding plugs will warp the top. a welding table with wood legs???? i would rethink that decision. not flamin ya just putting it out there.

Is there a safety concern or just the looks? Ideally I would like a really thick steel top with 1/4" thick square tube legs, but I'm just planning to use the materials I have. Also, I thought the 4x4s would provide some vibration dampening if I have to beat on something...

 

[scott3257]

Google sketchup has some really nice ideas from people who have decided to share their designs. I just built a welding bench using a 5/16 steel plate from a design I saw on sketchup. IMO no need to reinvent the wheel... I would save the sheet of 1/8 steel for future projects and buy a 1/4 piece for your worktop.

 

[Rezarf]

I have to agree, try the local scrap yard and see what you can score in the 1/4+ range for a good top. 1/8" bends pretty easily under a hammer.

I would go with all steel if it were me, but I can understand using what you got.

 

[scott3257]

The 5/16 plate 25 X 49 inches, I used was $50. Most steel supply places will make you a deal on anything in the remnant section. My local supplier just ran a Craigslist ad a while back, all remnants were .50 cents a pound. Just ask for a deal, most places want to get rid of the remnants especially if its a smaller place.

 

[BPJOOP93]

ok wood burns. the use of wood for a welding table would never cross my mind. there are guys who have 1/2-1" thick tables that put wood under them to keep the noise level down but on a thinner table top i would be afraid of the wood getting to hot and possibly smoldering and potentially starting a fire.
i also want to use what i have but saftey is also a goal we should all strive to acheive.

 

[koditten]

I see no reason why you couldn't use wood as the base. 1/4" of steel will disapate a **** load of heat. The only way you are going to catch the base on fire is if you were using the torch and cut thru both layers, then contacted the wood. You would be pissed at yourself if this happened after all the time you took to build the bench. I just don't see it happening.

I would not even be afraid to attach the sheet steel to a solid core door (makes great bench tops and cheap). The main reason for a metal top welding bench is so you can tack weld projects to the surface. Once done with the project, you just take the angle grinder and grind down the left over tack welds.

I try not to overthink a project. In todays world we are force fed safety to such an extent, that we automaticly try remove every hazard that could occur. Welding has it's own hazards and you already knew that.

If you are looking to make this only out of steel, then just build an angle iron frame for the sheet steel to attach to. You will most likely need a cross piece or 2 in the middle so it will be rigid in the middle. After that, use whatever you want to for the legs.

Just mt 2 cents. Have fun with your project.

Kirk

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'd advise using expanded metal as any type of a top for a welding table, if you considered it.

If I were to make another welding table (permenant vs. portable) I'd make it as strong and heavy duty as I could. I'd make sure that I had plan to move it in the design.