Ideas/plans : welding/fab/work table

[Bobby]

I do most all of my auto repairs along with everything from metal furniture fabrication/design to jeep part fabs. I just moved to a new place so it's time for a new welding table/fab bench.

I have a mig but right now don't have a torch (nor do I intend to get one soon) so I was wondering what features folks enjoy about their tables and what they would include on their next one. This is all hobby stuff. nothing in quantity. It will be going in my garage. It would be nice it it was strong enough to throw an axle up onto to fab new mounts or rebuild etc.

Does anyone have any plans or ideas? Thanks. (by the way, love the new forum)

Bob

[Rocky D]

I built my table out of a 30" x 60" x 1/2" steel plate. Added a frame under it of 2" x 2" square tube 11 gauge. Put wheels on it and a 6" rotatable double jaw vise I got from Home Depot for $36 and also added two 5/8" vertical pins that go into the concrete to keep it from moving when I bend something. The top has holes in it for my bender and other stuff that I can use to pin or bolt to the table. I have a picture of it, in another post. First time I posted a picture.

[GWOL]

looks like the easiest way it to attach the file, if its a jpg file, or normal picture file. When you post a message, just go down to the attach file, and browse for the image file name, and then we can look at it. At least I think that should work.

[GWOL]

It should work, let me try

[GWOL]

This is a test of the file attachment feature.

[GWOL]

Rocky, go to the bottom of the page, to the attach file, select your file, and then do the Submit Reply. I should so up as a file attachment in the posting. Like the test I did.

[Rocky D]

Let's see if this works

[Rocky D]

Success!:D

[GWOL]

Cool Rocky, now that is a welding table.

[bitternut]

Rocky D I love the welding cart, simple and effective

[Hobart Expert Dave]

Rocky I have seen that welder befor. It looks like it has to be 15 to 20 years old. Looks like the old cart dates it also. But nice table and glad you could share it all with us. Lets see some more.
David Evans

[Will]

Great table. Mine is much smaller with a 3/8 top 1x1 tube frame.
I put 2 shelves under it. One for tools like clamps, magnets and Vise Grips; the other for supplies like nozzle gel, MIG wire, rods and spare tips, etc. I'll post a pic if I ever get a digital camera.

[Brent]

Great idea Rocky D. I already have my table, but the 5/8" pins are the perfect solution to the movement trouble I sometimes have.

I have two questions though. How deep a hole do you have in the concrete floor? Do you remove the pins when not in use or is there something you have to keep them in the up position when not in use? Thanks.

Brent

[Rocky D]

Originally posted by Brent
Great idea Rocky D. I already have my table, but the 5/8" pins are the perfect solution to the movement trouble I sometimes have.

I have two questions though. How deep a hole do you have in the concrete floor? Do you remove the pins when not in use or is there something you have to keep them in the up position when not in use? Thanks.

Brent
The holes are only about 1 1/2" and the pins 4130 chromolly, just drop in. I thought of making some sort of latch for the pins, but figured that I wouldn't be using them that much, so just pull them up and out when I move the table.

[Brent]

Got it, thanks.

Brent

[Stoney]

An old plastic case Handler, first welding machine I sold, way back in the day. :rolleyes:

(<---------------------Still a young guy) :D

[Bobby]

That's a great table Rocky. You really got a vice that big/cheap at home depot? last time i looked you could get a 4" vice for $50+ there.

Any other folks with table photos?

Bob

[morpheus]

I'm not as skilled as rocky nor do I make things as BIG as he does so my cart is considerably smaller. it's made out of 2x2x1/4 tubing
I got at the scrap yard and some cheap cast wheels with rubber outers that I got at Harbor Freight.

I still need to put a top on it but it's quite useful even in this state. Finding cheap steel is alot tougher than I imagined so I haven't decided what to put on the top yet. Was looking at a site the other day, I think it was onlinemetals.com and they had a metal weight calculator and even with 1/4" plate the top alone would weigh 60 lbs !

oh yeah, the table is 2'x3' ... if you'll notice the leg to the right was pulled in a bit. I need to fix that also. My fab skills lack severly when I get concerned about a third dimension and not just worrying about making something square. doggone weld warps me up almost every time. any tips appreciated.

- jack

[Dan]

Jack,
You can fix your leg problem and add some more structural integrity to this project, by adding some lower cross members to the legs. Just an idea.

[morpheus]

so many projects so little time. need some more of those thin grinder wheels to cut the welds off the bent leg and that will be an easy fix.

I hadn't really considered any more structural support as it's quite
sturdy and I don't figure to put that much weight on it. what did you have in mind Dan ?

any recommendations for a top ? I had originally planned on 1/2" until i found out how much a piece that size would weigh and not sure I'd be able to roll the cart around after I was done.

- jack

[Rocky D]

Originally posted by morpheus
if you'll notice the leg to the right was pulled in a bit. I need to fix that also. My fab skills lack severly when I get concerned about a third dimension and not just worrying about making something square. doggone weld warps me up almost every time. any tips appreciated.

- jack

This is what I would do, Jack. Measure the inside distance from leg across to leg where is joins the top. Like Dan says, Make a square frame to fit inside with that dimension. Locate your new frame on top of the casters at an angle, then force it down pushing the errant legs outward. Check for square again then put four 1" long welds to hold it in place. You could use 1 x 1 square tube or angle or even wood. (YUK! who wants to use wood?)

:D

[morpheus]

thanks for the advice Rocky. I think i'll get some 1x1 tube and do that when I cut that leg off to straighten it.

any recomendations on table top thickness ? my wheels are rated at 350lbs each.

- jack

[Rocky D]

Originally posted by morpheus
thanks for the advice Rocky. I think i'll get some 1x1 tube and do that when I cut that leg off to straighten it.

any recomendations on table top thickness ? my wheels are rated at 350lbs each.

- jack

No, Jack, don't cut the leg off. It will straighten all by it self when you force the new frame between the legs.

Top thickness? 1/4" to 1/2" would do fine.

[John Stuckey]

Rocky:
Thanks for the picture - worth a thousand words I am going to fashion my table after yours.
John