Lightweight portable welding table

[brianko]

I found a piece of iron grate at a local recycler, and decided it would make a nice lightweight welding table (about 80 lbs)...plate seemed like overkill. I wanted the table to be easily portable, so the legs had to be removable. These were made with 3" square tube, with 5" plates welded and bolted at either end.

Total cost: About $75, plus a couple of nights at the shop.

[smyrna5]

That looks great, and very useful for clamping or cutting.

[brianko]

Thanks...this welding stuff is rather addictive!

[mosesralph]

I am looking for plans or specs to build a table similar to the one brianko made-any suggestions?


I found a piece of iron grate at a local recycler, and decided it would make a nice lightweight welding table (about 80 lbs)...plate seemed like overkill. I wanted the table to be easily portable, so the legs had to be removable. These were made with 3" square tube, with 5" plates welded and bolted at either end.

Total cost: About $75, plus a couple of nights at the shop.

[Zrexxer]

I am looking for plans or specs to build a table similar to the one brianko made-any suggestions?Umm, plans? I mean, it's nicely done, but it's a piece of grate with 4 legs... what do you need plans for?

[brianko]

I am looking for plans or specs to build a table similar to the one brianko made-any suggestions?

Sorry, no plans :) The table was built around the material I had. For instance, I had no desire to cut the metal grate, so I just designed the table around that. 5" square metal plates were welded to the 4 corners so I could remove the legs if necessary. The legs are 3" square tubing scrap steel from the local recycler. The casters are mounted on 5" plates (had to drill the mounting holes for these). 1" angle iron (also scrap) perpendicular to the grate bars were welded on the bottom to keep the table flat when loaded. More 1" angle around the ends to keep from snagging on the grate bars. As is, the table is sturdy enough for light welding, but you'd want to cross-brace the legs for more stability (I chose not to do so for portability reasons).

PM me if you need more details. I'd suggest looking for your table top first (grates are more lightweight than plate), and design around that. If you have a steel recycler nearby and they don't mind you wandering around, there are some great finds to be made!

[Rocky D]

Umm, plans? I mean, it's nicely done, but it's a piece of grate with 4 legs... what do you need plans for?

So too funny! :D

[Blacksmith]

I have lots of plans like that - cut away everything that doesn't look like what I'm making!

[folmonty]

You guys are funny but in support of mosesralph metal work takes a different mindset. Not like working with wood.:confused: Cutting material and fixing mistakes can be a PITA.:mad: Beginers like a "road-map" but it's all about learning the ropes. :) Oh, BTW - that's a great welding table idea! :D

[fjk]

I am looking for plans or specs to build a table similar to the one brianko made-any suggestions?

hi
i made a table with a grill sort of top like brianko's --
but i made the grill myself. it's out of 1"sq tubing.
the top is a simple grill of the tubing

make it as high as you want -- different height people
like different height tables. also, it depends on what you
plan to do with it. i do light home fabrication/repair/art
stuff. the table height comes to someplace between
my wrist and elbow. i find it's a good height.

as to the width, it's about 2'x3' -- again, the size is dictated
by what you are usually planning to do.

the top is a grill made of 1" sq tube. the tubes run in the
2' direction of the top, about 6" on center. it gives me a
fairly solid work surface, plus the ability to do lots of
clamping.

make the top first -- lay it all out on a flat surface
and then tack everything together from the
back -- that way it all stays pretty flat. once
it's all tacked, then do the full welds.

i never bothered putting wheels on it -- the whole thing
weighs about 30-40# so i just carry it where it needs
to be.

the only thing i miss on it is a solid surface -- so a small
piece of plate that i can clamp or bolt to the top as needed
is in my future

f

[FormerTankSarge]

I like them both, I need another small lightweight one for cutting, may have to make another similar to last post.:)

[sumojo]

How to Build a Metal Welding Table



1/8" standard steel angle iron (sizes chosen to accommodate 4-foot lengths angle iron is available in):
4-1/8" x 1" x 1" - 18" in length mitered at 45 degrees
4- 1/8" x 1" x 1" - 30" in length mitered at 45 degrees
4-1/8" x 1-1/4" x 1-1/4" - 36-inches in length (legs)
2-1/8" thick mild steel plates measuring 17-1/2" x 29-1/2"
4 - casters with threaded shafts and matching nuts
4 - coupler nuts used to fasten threaded rod together
4 - lock washers to fit caster shafts
1 - steel tubing 3" in length, 1-1/4" inside diameter

[Sberry]

Good job, I might consider a plate to toss on top of part of it, remember everything you sit on top will want to fall thru the grate.

[bandsawguy]

I have one made from grates as well. I bought the grates already welded to some heavy wall 2" tubing. Welded legs on. Added recievers in the corners for holding my vise and various rollers and picket twisters as well as my compact bender. Lower shelf for scraps. The thing got heavy so I added some hyd cylinders to the legs with wheels at the end of them so I get lift the table and roll it around. When down it will hold more than I can safely lift. I actually made an outfeed table for a customer on it. I needed four guys to lift it off the table and put it on my trailer. One edge was a piece of angle iron welded to it to act as a trough for tools and such. I also use a piece of sheet steel when i need a solid surface.