Welding Tables

**Buzz** · 02-22-2012, 02:07 AM

My Table is 24"x48" x 1/4 inch thick, the plate weighs 80lbs and cost me $40 thats 50 cents a pound, it was a drop piece the excess cut off a larger piece thus a big discount.

Originally Posted by bobwills

I need to build me a good table. Ive got a wooden one and i hate it always catching on fire. How much does your alls tables usually cost in materials and how much for the top and what thickness is the top.

**bobwills** · 02-22-2012, 02:30 AM

is 1/4 inch thinck enough to be able to not warp from welding on it.

**Cippee** · 02-22-2012, 02:35 AM

I have 1/8 inch aluminum plate and it doesn't warp. I have 3 of them and at times I put them all down or a steel sheet or copper depending on what I'm doing. None of them warp though. None are thicker than 1/8"

**dyethor** · 02-22-2012, 02:37 AM

Depends on how hot it will get. You could brace the bottom side with some stringers and stitch weld them on.

**Cippee** · 02-22-2012, 02:39 AM

Yeah your right I don't get mine super hot. I just have mine laying on top. I though of welding it down but I like being able to switch them out.

**dyethor** · 02-22-2012, 02:49 AM

Changing them out is a nice feature and the aluminum and copper doesn't hold heat like steel does they make a nice heatsink. Come to think of it now I don't recall my table ever getting too hot. The welding that's being done is usually never close to the surface, only tacking gets done close.

**bobwills** · 02-22-2012, 02:56 AM

So 1/4 inch would be fine with some braces under it.

**dyethor** · 02-22-2012, 03:52 PM

I would think so.

**Buzz** · 02-22-2012, 04:28 PM

Originally Posted by bobwills

So 1/4 inch would be fine with some braces under it.

Thats what I did, I made a frame under it with 1x1 square tube
http://www.everlastgenerators.com/fo...-welding-table

**Injected65** · 02-22-2012, 07:06 PM

Messy as all get out in that picture but it has a 3' X 8' top that is 1/4" thick welded to a framework made from 3"x4" rectangle tubing. When I had the plate sheared I also had them cut a 6" wide strip and I welded that to the back of the table. Its nice for clamping things too, hanging tape measures, sticking magnets too, etc...

Chris

**dyethor** · 02-22-2012, 07:11 PM

Chris, A back splash it a cool idea. It will also stop stuff from falling off the back side.

**CGCINC** · 02-22-2012, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by Topgear

Now that's a nice looking table!

Kent

Thanks... you can see more detail HERE if you want.

**bobwills** · 02-23-2012, 02:42 AM

Like the tables. I like how big they are. More than what we got in our shop. Also What I want is it on wheels and a bottom shelf or two for scraps. No more 5 gallon buckets. How much am I looking at for the metal to make a good sized table.

**dyethor** · 02-23-2012, 03:46 AM

If you are lucky to live near a scrap yard, you can find cheap pieces of metal. Castors are a decent price at Harbor Freight. If your good enough you could get away with building it cheap.

**Cippee** · 02-23-2012, 04:05 AM

My fathers friend owns a scrap yard it's great. When I have free time I walk around and look for stuff to build. I have taken pot metal before and tried to weld it bad idea. Basically unweldable. I have some cool things like big bronze eagles I welded them onto a bronze frame to hold them up.

**CGCINC** · 02-23-2012, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by bobwills

Like the tables. I like how big they are. More than what we got in our shop. Also What I want is it on wheels and a bottom shelf or two for scraps. No more 5 gallon buckets. How much am I looking at for the metal to make a good sized table.

I bought my wheels at Northern... They were $8.99 each and suport 250lbs. each. If I bought something comparable at Tractor supply, the price was $28.99 each.
You do have a little shipping but if you need other stuff as well it works out good.

**GUNNER** · 02-23-2012, 07:14 PM

Harbor Freight is much cheaper on wheels than Northern is these days... Northern still has a bigger selection though so they do still get you there..

**DWSD** · 02-24-2012, 10:40 PM

www.grizzly.com (power tools) sells some very good casters for good price, too.

http://www.grizzly.com/search/search...936071425676.3

**zoama** · 02-24-2012, 11:35 PM

I bought a dozen of these http://www.ebay.com/itm/Caster-5-Tot...item2303ae6dbd they work well and roll easy, $7.41 each cost $12 to ship them.

Description...

Stem Style: Stem Size: Load Height: Weight Capacity: Finish: Wheel Type: Wheel Size: Wheel Bearing:	Threaded 1/2-13 x 1 Inch 6-1/4 Inch 300 Lbs. Zinc Plating Polyurethane on Polyolefin 5 x 1-1/4 Inch Delrin
Total Lock Caster: When you step on the locking lever it locks the swivel from turning and it also locks the wheel and keeps it from spinning. Unlike casters which have just a wheel brake, this mechanism immobilizes the whole caster.

**Ram48** · 02-25-2012, 12:16 PM

The table I made after looking at many versions on line has many of the features that have been mentioned here.
The slats are removable and can be adjusted to fit odd shape items you may need to weld. They also make it simple to clamp anywhere on the table.
The fourth picture is of an insert that I use for plasma cutting. I have since added a hopper underneath to catch the sparks and slag, both are easily removable.