Welding table ?s

[mortimersnerd]

I'm planning out my main workbench/welding table. The main role will be as a fab table for parts for my '71 Bronco. I want to build it once and be done, so stout is a plus. I'm figuring on 30"x6' and will be building one of my 26" tool boxes into the end. The other end will house a space for my welder to roll under the table. How thick a top is suggested? I'm thinking 1/2 inch, looks like the steel plate for that will run about $250. Also, how stout do the legs and frame need to be to support that size top? Will 2x2" .120 wall work, or should I be looking bigger? I've already got a long piece of 2x3, so I may go that route for the frame at least. Finally, I'm thinking about using 1/2" plate for 4' of the table, and making the area for cutting for the final 2 feet with the tool box underneath. Is this a terrible idea? Any other considerations or suggestions? Thanks!

 

[wickerdave]

Here is an idea for you that I am going to use, the framework is industrial pallet racking with a 4' x 8' x 3/8" top. I figure it saves about $250 using the framing rather than building it out of 2" steel and the top. I would go 3/8" for the top as a minimum.

Sorry I can't get the picture to load, but it is 2x2 x12 pallet racking that I cut down to 8' beams and cut the end pieces down to 38" tall, re-position the two end strap braces and weld the top on and you are done, unless you want to put wheels on it. If you have the room, bigger is better, I had 6 x 10' tables where I used to work and they were heaven (had to have an overhead crane to move them though)

 

[koditten]

I've got 2 welding tables. 1 is 1/4" the other is 1". They both are on wheels so I can move them around the shop. I find myself using the 1/4" version. Its much lighter and it is plenty solid.

I've been building trailers for 20 plus years and I abuse the **** out of my tables. Your plans sound like you will have a table that will work great for you. The 1/8" wall tube legs will be plenty sturdy. Just dont scrimp on castors. Figure what you need for capacity and double it. Those will be the castors that hold up for your lifetime.

My tables ar 4' x 4'. I find it is the perfect size. Anything bigger just becomes a landing place for tools that I'm too lazy to put away.

 

[mortimersnerd]

Thanks! I'm not sure I'm going to do castors yet, might just do adjustable feet and add them later if I find a need.

 

[motorscot]

1/4" to 3/8" will be plenty tough. My 30x48x1/4" top weighs 110 lbs, then another 150 for the frame, plus tool chests, clamps, plasma cutter, vise, etc

Save yourself later headaches and add casters now. It is nice to be able to roll the table out into the drive and grind, saw, hack, hammer, and weld. All the mess stays outside and doesn't mess up the garage (see PDR in the Restored 1930's Auto shop thread)

Casters mean moving the table to the job and having 360* access instead of the table being shoved against the wall. Leaving a table that large in the center of your workspace is a waste

 

[Chris_L]

I got a 24 x 48 piece of 1/4" plate from a place that sells remnants for 68 dollars, and it's been more than adequate for my amateur use.

 

[Dale1962]

i don't have any pics of mine and its buried in a storage unit now, but to make mine stable but mobile I put 2 10inch hf tires on 1 end and a trailer jack with a wheel on the other to lift it off its feet to move it. just a thought. mine is 2 1/2 tube runners with 2x4 tube every 8 inches along its length In between the 2x4 tubes I put unistrut, my top looks like a picket fence. I have a solid table with all kinds of clamping/jigging possibilities just my 2 cents worth lol

 

[hh76]

I used some of these instead of castors, and after beefing them up a bit, am really happy. Allows me to level the table in different spots in the garage, and to lower it down onto solid legs.