Welding Table Question.

[AMCguy]

I'm going to build a welding table. I can't believe I've gone this long without one.

My question is;

What is the ideal size for the top? I know it depends entirely on what you mostly build. So I guess I'm asking what sort of things do you guys build and if you were to build another table would it be bigger smaller or what? What would be a must have feature? I know there are considerations, I'd like to hear them.

Thanks

 

[Jack Olsen]

30"x60". 1" thick top.

 

[Ben Iv]

depends on the space really, mine is 24x84 its on the side of my two car garage and i still wanted to be able to put both my trucks inside if i wanted. I think 1" is overkill especially at home. mine is 1/4 cause thats what i had laying around at work. would have gone 3/8 if id had enough. Ive got a table at work that is 11ft x 20ft and half the width is 3/4 plate its more than heavy enough for us and we are a structural fabrication shop.

 

[sberry]

I like Jacks dimensions, not more than 3 ft wide or longer than 6 ft unless there was a special need. I like to be able to reach across and make it a short walk around.

 

[beerbudget]

Mine is 42"X96" and 1/4" thick. Why that size? Craigslist, $70. Works fine for me.

 

[great white tj]

33"x63" with a 3/8" top

 

[Spareparts]

I had a 4' X 8' 1/2" plate and really couldn't bring myself to cut it, and I have the room for it to sit away from the walls or any other obstruction. I let the top hang over the frame about 4" all the way around, legs are 6" sq and 5" channel ties it all together with a shelf for storage. I also dropped a couple cords with plug's from the ceiling so I don't trip over extension cords, I think code is 6'4" from the floor and they are handy. The 30" X 60" that Jack suggested is the size of my other table but with a 3/4" top and is the one that gets the most use, I welded a cap on the end of legs and tapped for 3/4" bolts to level it up when I move it around ( with a forklift).

 

[SM Racing]

Mine is a 4ft square built with 1/2in plate and 2in square tube legs. The top is drilled and tapped to bolt it to the frame. I have locking casters on the legs and all legs have 1in bolts for leveling on the shop floor.

 

[R6 Racer]

I don't know either... but i have found a 3/4" plate thats 30" x 50", the seller wants $125.00 for & I am trying to decide weather I should get it.

I would need to mount it on the wall like Jack O's fold down unit.
What do you guys think?

Steve

 

[SM Racing]

Hell yeah you should get it. My piece of plate was supposed to be 400+ if I remember right. I didn't pay that much but steel wasn't cheap back then either.

 

[E.rodz]

mine I used a 36x72 1/2 plate and boxed the edges with 1/2 flatbar.put it over a solid core door and used a fire barrier between.this gives it a nice flat surface to clamp to. think about what you want to use it for and the space you have to work with and were all the sparks are goig to go when you use it.I like to find whatever material I am going to need first and used is always acceptable I think I have about 200 into mine.hope this helps

 

[nismomans13]

why does everyone go for a 1" thick top. I have a 3/8th top and i've never had any problems with warpage or anything. I use mine for more than welding though, its basically a mobile bench that I can weld on. But 1in seems overkill unless you're doing some SERIOUS work at some SERIOUS amperage.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Mine is 48 X 96 inches, with a 1/2 inch thick top, on 3 inch pipe legs.

 

[gorilla]

I have two. One is a 30" round SS'T plate on a 10" pipe with casters and locks so I can roll it around the shop. The other one is a 36"x60"x 1 1/4" thick MIC-6 alum plate that I put on saw horses when I need to do larger stuff. If you are fabricating larger things it's nice to have access all around a welding table.

 

[Jack Olsen]

why does everyone go for a 1" thick top. I have a 3/8th top and i've never had any problems with warpage or anything. I use mine for more than welding though, its basically a mobile bench that I can weld on. But 1in seems overkill unless you're doing some SERIOUS work at some SERIOUS amperage.

I actually do more of my welding on an 1/8" thick bench. All you need for the sake of welding is conductivity, really. I've never seen it get particularly hot at all. But the inch-thick bench is useful for fabrication because of its strength, mass and flatness. I do some welding on my inch-thick bench, but mostly it's there for when metal needs some friendly persuasion.

The thin welding bench:

The thick pounding bench:

 

[nismomans13]

i don't even want to think of what the cost of inch thick metal would be in that size. Hell, the 3/8, and 1/4in stuff i buy is expensive enough.

 

[BirdRacer]

I don't know either... but i have found a 3/4" plate thats 30" x 50", the seller wants $125.00 for & I am trying to decide weather I should get it.

I would need to mount it on the wall like Jack O's fold down unit.
What do you guys think?

Steve

I think you would need a winch to fold it up and down. That's gonna be hea...vy...

 

[Dirk Hollis]

8'X12' 5/8" thick. Once I get it reasonably flat, I'll use it for chassis fabrication. Until then I use it as a general workbench.

 

[MFortie]

mine I used a 36x72 1/2 plate and boxed the edges with 1/2 flatbar.put it over a solid core door and used a fire barrier between.this gives it a nice flat surface to clamp to.

So what did you use for a fire barrier?

 

[Deltarat]

I was looking for a 3'x5' table when I found a new 4'x8'x1/2" at a machine shop going out of business for $200. I put it in casters and putting my chop saw and grinder on one end, vise the the middle and welding on the other end. I have the 4x8 it I need it. I have the room for it though.

 

[E.rodz]

So what did you use for a fire barrier?

the barrier that I used is the 3/8 thick mat they use for lining catlytic convertors with. don't think it was nessasary but I had it so i used it.

 

[gsport]

this is mine... picked up on caigslist for $50.00...

 

[Jared]

The reason people use heavy plate for table is that you can tack weld stuff to it and not worry about it warping.

 

[GarageEnvy]

While we're on the topic. You guys that use this heavy plate, how did you build the table? Did you weld it upside down and then somehow flip it or did you somehow overhead weld that plate on? I don't suspect you guys are bolting them on and I doubt that you're just relying on weight. I'm about to build a new one and ideally I'd build it upside down but I have no idea how I'd flip the thing over.

 

[zmotorsports]

My first table was not as thought out as the one I build a few years ago. I guess it is good to learn from one's mistakes.

My current weld table is 36"x60", top is 1/2" plate. The bench is fabricated form 2" square tube .187" wall that is 24" wide by 54" long with the table top welded to the top along with a shelf on the bottom. The top of the frame also has crossbars welded to help support the weight of the top with no sagging.

The reason I made the framework approx. 6" smaller than the top is because it allows me to weld while sitting (TIG) without hitting my knees or legs on the frame/legs. The size is just big enough to place fairly large items on for welding yet small enough to be able to completely walk around without having to move the item.

I installed 4" locking casters to the bottom which are capable of supporting 1000 lbs. each so it rolls around the shop fairly well and lock pretty solid once the casters or locked. Under one side I installed a 1" diameter tube that runs the length of the frame where I am able to hang my C-clamps and vise grips on and keep out of the way without hitting my legs on them. All in all I think my second table is much more useable and a better fit for my needs than my first ooops. Mike.

 

[Call me the Breeze]

While we're on the topic. You guys that use this heavy plate, how did you build the table? Did you weld it upside down and then somehow flip it or did you somehow overhead weld that plate on? I don't suspect you guys are bolting them on and I doubt that you're just relying on weight. I'm about to build a new one and ideally I'd build it upside down but I have no idea how I'd flip the thing over.

I flipped mine upside down to weld the casters on, and had one heck of a time trying to flip it back up by myself. I would have used my engine crane but my friend has it Note to self...get my crane back!

View media item 5735

 

[AV8OR]

Bookmark this for when your ship comes in:

http://www.bluco.com/

 

[zmotorsports]

My first table was not as thought out as the one I build a few years ago. I guess it is good to learn from one's mistakes.

My current weld table is 36"x60", top is 1/2" plate. The bench is fabricated form 2" square tube .187" wall that is 24" wide by 54" long with the table top welded to the top along with a shelf on the bottom. The top of the frame also has crossbars welded to help support the weight of the top with no sagging.

The reason I made the framework approx. 6" smaller than the top is because it allows me to weld while sitting (TIG) without hitting my knees or legs on the frame/legs. The size is just big enough to place fairly large items on for welding yet small enough to be able to completely walk around without having to move the item.

I installed 4" locking casters to the bottom which are capable of supporting 1000 lbs. each so it rolls around the shop fairly well and lock pretty solid once the casters or locked. Under one side I installed a 1" diameter tube that runs the length of the frame where I am able to hang my C-clamps and vise grips on and keep out of the way without hitting my legs on them. All in all I think my second table is much more useable and a better fit for my needs than my first ooops. Mike.

I was able to take a picture of mine yesterday. Mike.