Welding Table/Workbench

[jakgop21]

Trying to get around to start working on fabricating a table that i plan to use as a welding table/work bench. Hopefully the warm weather will cooperate with me. Not sure if i will be banging anything hard with it.

I started looking at pages on this forum earlier and got lost in the whole discussion of miter cuts vs cut out or coping cut.

Any suggestions which is easier to do for a beginner welder/fabricator?

A friend told me when cutting the miter joints he cuts a small piece off then measures the long edge of the miter and lines up the saw from there.

What do you do?

Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[Thumper68]

Trying to get around to start working on fabricating a table that i plan to use as a welding table/work bench. Hopefully the warm weather will cooperate with me. Not sure if i will be banging anything hard with it.

I started looking at pages on this forum earlier and got lost in the whole discussion of miter cuts vs cut out or coping cut.

Any suggestions which is easier to do for a beginner welder/fabricator?

A friend told me when cutting the miter joints he cuts a small piece off then measures the long edge of the miter and lines up the saw from there.

What do you do?

Any suggestions?

Thanks

This depends so much on what you have to cut with.

Miters are easy if you have the right saw and it is nuts on, if it doesn't cut straight then a miter is a pain in the ***.

A lot also depends on what shape you are using as well.

 

[markw365]

What size table are you thinking of. I just picked up a 2x4 certiflat table and so far I love it. It's got 5/8" holes every 2" and will work with multiple types of clamps. Took about an hour to assemble/weld together. So far I'm happy with it.

 

[racingtadpole]

Assuming you have some form of saw that cuts a mitre then it is the easiest way forward, it will require you to spend the time accurately setting the fence to the blade at 45deg though. As a general rule of thumb, the numbers on the saw base are always off target Minimise the run-out on the blade and use an accurate square to set the fence (mark the saw base and fence for repeatability later if so desired).

If you really want to get good at them with minimal equipment (or have some masochistic tendencies), set yourself the challenge of doing them all by hand with a hack saw, and have them fit up within 1/16", or do them with a grinder with the same target. You will become proficient at cutting mitres accurately in very short order.

Personally, I prefer the look of a mitre over a coped joint, just looks neater to me.

 

[jakgop21]

This depends so much on what you have to cut with.

Miters are easy if you have the right saw and it is nuts on, if it doesn't cut straight then a miter is a pain in the ***.

A lot also depends on what shape you are using as well.

I am working with a task force $99 chop saw with a 14" blade, see fence in photo. Doesnt look like i can get it accurately on 45 degrees. This is my first practice cut on some scrap that is thicker that what i intend on using. I plan on using 1" x 1" x 1/8" thick angle . I got the overall shape of the cut but its not square as you can see, i can make it with a magnet but got a decent gap.

Any tips to improve on the real stuff? My buddy was saying that happens when you push the saw too hard ? Better just to let it do its thing.

 

[Thumper68]

Of course with out seeing it making an actual cut I can't say for sure but I have seen the vises on saws like that slip a bit during cutting and that can throw the angle off.

My suggestion would be to use a speed square or angle finder to get it set right on 45* then along with the vise use a clamp to make sure the work does not slip. clamp it to the back fence and make sure that the fence is tight.

Once you get good consistent cuts then move to your actual stock.

Another hint/tip, don't count on that magnet to hold your work while welding use real clamps.

 

[jimgood]

Don't measure the angle of the fence against the slot in the saw base. Put the speed square against the disc then adjust the fence to it and clamp the snot out of it. Then measure against the disc again, lather, rinse, repeat until you get it right.

Also, be very gentle when you make your cut. The heads on these cheap units flex and so do the discs.