Thoughts on another 'skeleton' welding table idea

[jase]

Hi all

I was just browsing Google Image for welding tables and came across this one:

http://www.tkrace.com/images/tour/welding_table.JPG

Which seems to be made of 4-5" wide strips of 1/2" flat rather than one solid piece of plate. It seems like a nice idea that could be very flexible for clamping and a bit cheaper and easier to handle by myself than plate. Can anyone point out a downside that I'm not seeing?

I am planning a table about 3' x 5' for a home shop where I work on a mix of big and small things but nothing particularly heavy.

Thanks, Jason.

[vicegrip]

Hi all

I was just browsing Google Image for welding tables and came across this one:

http://www.tkrace.com/images/tour/welding_table.JPG

Which seems to be made of 4-5" wide strips of 1/2" flat rather than one solid piece of plate. It seems like a nice idea that could be very flexible for clamping and a bit cheaper and easier to handle by myself than plate. Can anyone point out a downside that I'm not seeing?

I am planning a table about 3' x 5' for a home shop where I work on a mix of big and small things but nothing particularly heavy.

Thanks, Jason.

Looks like a fine idea to me .... If I made one ...I'd consider varying the spaces in a few spots 1 or 2 wider spaces mayby.... and 3/4 X 4 bar stock will be purchased just a tad streighter and flatter than the 1/2 X 5 in the picture....maybe add a center rail beneath if you do heavy work or have one bar removable to allow for a shaft to go thru

thanks for putting it up there

BY GOLLY I just looked closer , I think that is 3/4 they used ...my eyes must be out of calibration

[MAC702]

How about having them in a frame of sorts so that you can make a wide slot anytime you wanted? You could still have center support if you wanted.

[IRON TO ART]

Here's my table. Its along the same idea. Cost me $40 for the grate and a couple hours getting the higher bits ground flush. The thing works great only complaint would be dropping soapstones and punches and stuff through it. I've added a piece of angle along the front as a tray to hold that stuff now.

http://www.irontoart.com/welding%20bench.JPG

[tonyclifton]

jase,

my thought is too many things will want to drop through one of those gaps. I put legs on tables and such and know that would be a hassle for me. Depends on what you are working on.

[243]

I like this table a lot. I would add a center support to cut the span in half and open the gap between plates to 2"-3" total. As far as my tools falling through, yes they would. I would add a pan underneath the top and slope it down towards the front with a lip about 1" tall. This would allow storage for my grinders and other tools but items that fell through would slide to the front.

[vicegrip]

I like this table a lot. I would add a center support to cut the span in half and open the gap between plates to 2"-3" total. As far as my tools falling through, yes they would. I would add a pan underneath the top and slope it down towards the front with a lip about 1" tall. This would allow storage for my grinders and other tools but items that fell through would slide to the front.

Agreed!! I would add two slide out surfaces big enough to hold a fullsize Sub-Sandwich
and a hinged beverage holder that springs up when you pull out the lunch trays

P.S. to account for Murphy's Law , you must make one bar removable (no weld) or you are doomed to get a job you can't put on this excellant table

[jase]

Thanks for the excellent suggestions and feedback everyone. Much appreciated.

Regards, Jase