Show me your welding table and tell me why you like/dislike it.

I have to build a table. It is completely insensical for me to try to re-invent the wheel.
What did you build, what do you wish you would have built, what are you sorry you did, what are you sorry you didn't do, what modification would you do if you did it all over again?

It's going to cost me as much as my pp256 to build a nice table, I'd just as well hear it from you guys and then build one based on what you did right, but more based on what you did WRONG and should/need to change.

Tube frame 4x4 stuff, and light aluminum palte work mostly for me, but I can be convinced to build more table than needed. Jigs are a plus also.

this is more of a work bench than a welding table, but I do tack down jigs and parts here to weld them out.

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._4703252_n.jpg

I used old cutting edges from a grader for the square frame under the table top

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._4401113_n.jpg

and some FREE 2x3 3/16 tubing for the legs

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._6384856_n.jpg

left the front overhang at 4 or 5 inches so I could clamp things on the edge.

I did have to buy the 1/4 sheet for the top, had them cut it to 3'x8' and I'll use the 1x8 strip left for a shelf over the back end(one of these days)

I built it from pictures and ideas I have seen on line. The slat design I came up with is handy as I can configure them any way I need to and even built a cutting table and hopper to catch the sparks that fits in place of some slats. My teo receiver tubes worked out well, I have a vice in one and will be putting the HF bar bender in the other when it goes on sale and I cab use my 20% coupon.

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I've noticed that a lot of guys like casters on their welding table. I came up with a better solution. Instead of casters on 4 legs, I used 10" wheels on 2 legs. The other 2 legs are a little shorter than needed so that I could weld 3/4" nuts to the bottom of them. The 3/4" bolts then make the legs adjustable. The solid legs with bolts are more stable than casters. To move the table, I lift the one end a couple inches and it rolls over debris and junk on the floor very easily. The lower shelf is close enough to the floor that if the table is too heavy, I can put a dolly under the lower support and move it like a trailer dolly. 8" and 10" wheels are cheaper than casters and hold over 400 lbs each.

Now, this is the kind of thread I like.
I'd post mine but it is deep in a pile of stuff....would take me 30 minutes just to clear the top off. I should have built a hinge on the top with a dump cylinder,and I would not have this problem.

I like your idea of two wheels and two leveling feet If the table and all that it holds is light enough. But I estimate my table at 300 lbs empty and with everything stored on it Who knows how heavy it is.
My casters are 5 inch dia and hold 600+ lbs each. with two fixed and two swivel, the swivel are the total locking type and lock the wheel and pivot. Here is a picture of the casters and table except now there is another few hundred lbs of steel drops on the expanded metal tray.

I made this table over ten years ago, it has been used well. I got the plans out of the Welder's Handbook. I like the table because it is portable and its big enough for almost everything I need. The vise is a must its threaded right to the top so I can remove it in less than a minute, also I've threaded other holes for my bender so this table is pretty versatile.

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Originally Posted by Ram48

I like your idea of two wheels and two leveling feet If the table and all that it holds is light enough. But I estimate my table at 300 lbs empty and with everything stored on it Who knows how heavy it is.
My casters are 5 inch dia and hold 600+ lbs each. with two fixed and two swivel, the swivel are the total locking type and lock the wheel and pivot..

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I saw those and the 6" version at IMS when I was designing my table. When I saw those big, 10' solid tires with axle bearings at HF, I knew they were the answer to my problem. My 10" wheels allow me to roll over debris that casters can't. If there is too much stuff on the bottom shelf, I just use a 2 wheel dolly to lift the end with levelers and roll across the shop; just like a trailer dolly allows me to move a boat. My shop is always too messy to allow casters to roll uninterrupted. I doubt that I will ever exceed 1000 lbs. on my tables. I put the 8" wheels on my Mig cart. It rolls through gravel on the driveway with no problems.

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Originally Posted by Salty

I made this table over ten years ago, it has been used well..

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I almost made a 4' x 4' version of that. Then I realized how much mess my plasma cutter makes, so I decided to rethink the plan. I considered a catch pan for the plasma half, then I saw a really great set up on Pirate4x4 site. The guy made what looks like a 5' x 2' plasma cutting table with a funnel design under it to direct all the dust and debris into a metal pail. I'm going to make one next week.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=959156
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/9104/img0205r.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by A/C Guy

I almost made a 4' x 4' version of that. Then I realized how much mess my plasma cutter makes, so I decided to rethink the plan. I considered a catch pan for the plasma half, then I saw a really great set up on Pirate4x4 site. The guy made what looks like a 5' x 2' plasma cutting table with a funnel design under it to direct all the dust and debris into a metal pail. I'm going to make one next week.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=959156
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/9104/img0205r.jpg

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Now that is an awesome idea. I need to build one when my new shop is built, no space currently though. When you're not using it in the shop you can grill on it as well. ;)

Man, that is a thing of beauty. Great design and nice work.

thought i already posted mine. np i like it cause it's huge got room to move around and i've loaded 3 22re engines on it Solid!
http://i861.photobucket.com/albums/a...DSCI0226-1.jpg

that is SOLID! how thick is your top? I have always wanted to "find" about a 1/2" hunk of steel for a good thick top...

At my shop we have 2 large welding tables - 1 is 5x7 with a 1" thick top and has wheels on it. the other is 5 x 12 with a 4" thick top and is stationary. I could only hope to have one like that at my house someday. Mine is build from an old shipping container that parts or our new machines came, measures 3x6 and has 1/4" plate for the top. Nothing fancy but it gets the job done. I also have a shelf underneath where my plasma cutter and 110v MIG welder hide out.

Here's my welding table, amongst natural habitat. Despite it not costing me anything, this wooden table works pretty darned well for tabletop TIG welding. I usually have some copper, aluminum, or other metal stock on top of it to protect the wood surface from welding heat. I scorched the wood surface a few times from the TIG torch heat, but haven't in a long while actually, so I think I've pretty much figured out how to avoid scorching it by now.

I like how when I am sitting at this table for welding, there is plenty of space underneath it for my knees and legs to fit comfortably underneath the table and position the footpedal for comfortable operation. I also like how the table is relatively lightweight (compared to a metal one), so I can nudge it around by myself if needed. I can even unbolt the legs and collapse it flat to store it if necessary. The large, flat surface is nice for for jigging up parts of various sizes for tackwelding and supporting them during welding, but it's a mixed blessing because around me, any large unused surfaces tend to collect "stuff". ;) (You can see it pictured in its natural environment.)

Great idea, really thinking "out-of-the-box". I've always preferred to connect the work-clamp directly to the item I'm welding on, anyways.