searched around, and mostly came up with info on ch***is tables, but i'd like to set up a general welding table a bit bigger than a card table with a stool. i'd be interested to see or hear any ideas? i'm a novice, and not sure the trade offs of different designs... why do some tables have a slotted or grated surface? suggestions on where to find some s****s to make one?
check craigslist for a stainless restaurant prep table. They come up pretty often when those places liquidate. It may be a plus or minus, but a lot of them have wheels.
I suppose that what you are using it for has a great deal to do with the final design. For jigging or fixturing , I could see a platen design with holes for clamps or tie downs. I did see a blanchard ground "universal" welding table that had about a jillion 1/2" holes drilled and tapped into the face for hold down/locating points.
The slotted top is to allow clamps to be bolted down to hold your material in place while you're welding. If it has a grate on top, it's a cutting table, allowing the flame, sparks, and slag to go through the table top, rather than blowing back at you.
What ever you have, you're gonna tear it up in time due to the nature of your work. but, you sure can build it yourself. I like to use old 2" or 2-`1/2" sch. 40 pipe for the four legs. Then some 2" X 2" X1/4" angle 45'd at the corners for the perimeter frame with the open angle part facing up & inward. Then use 1/4" X2" flat strap on edge spaced an inch or two apart laying in that angle frame. To tie something down on it, get a bunch of 1/2" diam concrete anchor bolts & nuts at your local hardware store. Put the 'J' end under the flat strap as needed.
My two car garage is pretty full; no room for even a roll around welding table. My workbench is an old one with a non-marring surface, which translates to flammable work surface.in terms of trying to weld something on it. FWIW, I picked up this small, very portable table to complete small welding tasks. Pretty sturdy little table for no bigger than what it is. Folds up to store next to my toolbox when not in use. This company also makes alot of real cool clamps, worth checking out their site. Here's a link: http://www.stronghandtools.com/pdf/welding_table_2007.pdf
Try WWW.millerwelds.com to get ideas on welding tables. They sell some neat ones that might give you some ideas on how to build
We have a metal s**** yard down by the river, great deals on plate steel, grates, used tubing, gets the ideas going. Gene Winfield has one with two plates, roofing tar sandwiched in between. reduces the noise by "400%" He had several handy home made tools he showed us. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=390702 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4247460
I prefer one like a pal has. About 28" square. tall and comfy for standing or you can slide a barstool up to it. I used a piece of s****, a plow disk for a base and some 4" well casing for mine. Top is 5/8" thick. Used another disk and some small tubing to make an extension for it for welding on long pieces.
Harbor Freight (yeah, I know what youre thinkin),steel table with wheels, handle. Piece of 3/16" steel attached with 4 pieces of all-thread, cut the plate large enough to mount a vise on. Roll it outside for dozens of things. Been years so I cant say what it cost. It works.
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