MoNkEyT88 Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 I decided I was sick of welding on the floor or on a piece of sheet metal, so I decided to make a compact table out of stuff I had laying around. It's made to fit over my tig welder so I can put it away when not used. I'm going to put an aluminum top on it, as well as some adjustable feet and center supports. http://i.pgu.me/pb1-jgxC_original.jpg I want to play around with my new dimple dies. http://i.pgu.me/PmEtXLhU_original.jpg Any tips that I should incorporate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 I wouldn't bother with the expense of an aluminum top. Steel is just fine. Weld a bolt to one of the legs for your ground clamp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoNkEyT88 Posted August 3, 2012 Author Share Posted August 3, 2012 (edited) I was thinking steel, but I want it to be light enough to lift because it barely fits over the welder. I'll have more room for work benches when I get the damn T56 and LQ9 into a Z. Edited August 3, 2012 by MoNkEyT88 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 Put casters with wheel brakes on the bottom. A little extra weight makes things more stable. You're not just going to weld on it - welding tables often get used for fab work too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLOZ UP Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 (edited) I have a 4'x2' table, using square stock, just like that. The legs are square as well though. I have 4 12"x24" aluminum plates, I think 1/8" thick or so as the top. I like the Aluminium because it is light, easy to remove and move around in case I need to make part of the part I'm welding drop through. That, and it doesn't rust (or at least, the oxidation is more conductive then iron oxide). If part of the weldment works better hanging off the edge I can accommodate. Edited August 3, 2012 by BLOZ UP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cockerstar Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 I definitely agree with John about going with a steel top and putting a small table like that on good lockable casters. Make the top fairly thick so it stays straight after years of throwing things on it, clamping, hammering, general abuse, etc. It's likely that it will become more of a "fab table" rather than just a "welding table". I like to put some short pieces of pipe (open at both ends) at about a 45* angle on the legs to hold my MIG gun, and others with a capped end to hold SMAW rods. TIG filler generally stays on the machine as I clean it right before I use it. Looks like you got the height about right. I can't stand bending over a short table all day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoNkEyT88 Posted August 3, 2012 Author Share Posted August 3, 2012 (edited) Yep! I'm 6'3" and hate short work benches. Wow Bloz, that looks amazing. I want to do more tubing and pipe work. Here's something I messed with years ago. Edited August 3, 2012 by MoNkEyT88 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLOZ UP Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 I also have casters, however I'm an idiot and I welded some HF ones on to it. This resulted in very stiff casters. So THAT'S why they have bolt holes.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyvette Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 (edited) http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=77 I wish I had a bench this nice and as soon as funds allow I WILL GET ONE Edited February 20, 2013 by grumpyvette Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowoctupus Posted March 9, 2013 Share Posted March 9, 2013 (edited) Wow, that is a nice bench. I have a 4' x 3' x 0.75" plate of steel sitting on top of an industrial metal 'work cart'. It was originally a convenient place to put it to get it out of the way, but beats the hell out of trying to move a 300# table around to make room near the welder for whatever big project I'm working on. Edited March 9, 2013 by yellowoctupus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony D Posted March 10, 2013 Share Posted March 10, 2013 Mine is 4x10x1.25" thick. Blanchard ground flat with positioning holes to lay up aircraft stringers. My understanding was it was a jig bought out of an old Aircraft Plant that closed or something in the L.A. area in the early 70's. "Took it surplus sale out of a plant on Crenshaw and Imperial." I also got a typewriter desk from the guy with a "North American Aviation" metal asset tag on it, so....maybe that's it. Dead flat and heavy as hell! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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