Welding tables

Dave H (MI) · Jan 8, 2021

What makes a good one? I have been shopping around the used stuff. Lot of different options. Looked at one that has 8th inch steel top...seems like it might warp if you got some heat to it but I dunno. Any tips on things to look for?

old · Jan 8, 2021

I've found that making your own is the best way to go that way it has what you want and need. I made mine and it has a vise on it that is well over 100 years old since it was my grand fathers vise. Plus on the other end an anvil vise 1/4 inch top

rustred · Jan 8, 2021

"what makes a good one?" heavy heavy heavy, like 1/2 thick min. for the top, many are 3/4 inch thick, vise and the heavy ness is so it dont move around. build your own. you can get by with 3/8 top.

grizz02 · Jan 8, 2021

mine is 1/2 thick 5ftx4ft

Loosehandle · Jan 8, 2021

Mines 1/4" 4x6… handy to have a overhang past frame for clamping. Look for something flat

michford · Jan 8, 2021

Heavy thick top with overhang to allow clamping. I found mine on Craigslist years ago but Craigslist is drying up. More using Facebook marketplace now apparently.

Steve@Advance · Jan 9, 2021

I started with 1/4", it quickly warped and was not good for hammering.

Had a piece of 3/4" flame cut 4'x4' square which overhung the sides about 10" for clamping and squaring. Only thing I would do different would make it 50"x50". 4X4 is a common size, trying to work a 4x4 frame wants to fall off the edges.

I try to keep the top polished down to shiny metal to get a flat surface and good ground. There is no vice, it would be in the way for welding.

If you have it on wheels be sure they are super heavy and lockable.

The table is taller than a standard work bench. Gets the piece up where I can see it, saves the back.

One thing I would have done different, had some key hole slots cut out in the middle for drop in tie downs for clamping down the middle of larger pieces.

M-MAN · Jan 9, 2021

If you're not up to building your own you can always add a heavy top without much trouble. I built mine with 2 inch angle iron and added a 5/8 boiler plate top.

ztrmowers · Jan 9, 2021

one of mine is 1/2 plate laid on top of two dual wheel rims laid inside each other inside the rims is 55gal barrel,have a small area in center with heavy mesh use when cutting all sparks slag etc go into barrel, hog feeder lid with fan above for fume exhaust

Steve@Advance · Jan 9, 2021

Now THAT is a welding table!

DoubleO7 · Jan 9, 2021

"One thing I would have done different, had some key hole slots cut out in the middle for drop in tie downs for clamping down the middle of larger pieces."

I use to have a welding table I made using several. Lengths of 6" ship channel .
Spaced them a couple of inches apart.
Allowed clamps or homemade T-bolt holdowns to be placed all over.
The outer channels were same length but inner channels were 12" shorter. That allowed items with protrusions to set on table better with the protrusions or lumps and bumps, etc. hanging down between outer channels.

Dave H (MI) · Jan 9, 2021

Some really good tips here, I thank you all. Clearly this unit I looked at is not for welding. Nice table but would have to have a new top and be raised maybe a foot for my height to be comfortable. Craigslist is, sadly, not what it used to be. Marketplace was nice for a while but it is just a jumble of overpriced junk lately. Have to keep looking.

Jimmydog · Jan 9, 2021

The absolute best when it comes to a welding table, in my humble opinion, is the 5'x7' Acorn platen table. They're not a little pricey they ARE pricey; oh and not just a little heavy either. Maybe after tonight's drawing I might be able to get one for my dream shop.

JD

JK-NY · Jan 9, 2021

I got an old industrial size table saw base from a friend of mine that I use as a welding table. Cast steel top and legs and heavy as a battle ship. I have 2 vises on it and my Lincoln welder fits under it.

Ultradog MN · Jan 9, 2021

I see a one armed loader bracket off a Ford Hundred Series. What broke it?

michford · Jan 9, 2021

Was cracked when I bought the loader, so figured I would do what I could to fix it up. Used a copper pipe in the bolt hole to be able to weld right up to the hole and not fill in the hole.

michford · Jan 9, 2021

Yeah, it's a beast. Top is 55"x40" and 2" thick. Has a series of 1/2 tapped holes in the top to also be able to bolt stuff down.

charlie n · Jan 9, 2021

I built mine out of scrap I got off of job sites thru the years.Got a old trailer hitch welded on one end for a step.

TimWafer · Jan 10, 2021

I made mine using some 1-1/2" thick steel for the top that I got from a big machine shop that had stacks of it left over from some job they had. I bought several pieces. For legs I used 6" well casing. Bench weighs close to a ton. I have to move it with the forklift. Think you could park a tank on it.

marloweg · Jan 10, 2021

mine is 4x5x1 on steel wheels so i can move it can beat the h out of it and it don't move have a 8 inch vice on one end .

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