OT: Work bench / welding tables.

Please share pictures and ideas.

Thanks

I had one for years that I built using heavy six inch channel,supported on 4 inch pipe that ran crosswise and then was used for legs. It was ten foot long & four foot wide. DID NOT USE FOR CUTTING. It was used in production for several years and alway was flat. Use to tack weld stobs on it to form a jig to hold thing in place while welding up the piece and then I would gtind off the stob
gitrib

My table is small, has a top made of 2 x3/4 channel.Each channel is spaced 9/16 from each other.This lets me bolt down projects so they dont move around while welding.Drill press clamps hold my mower blade down for sharpening.3 channels are mounted close to give a solid surface and a small vise is mounted on one end.The top is made seperate from the base so the top can be replaced if beat up.Top is 2x3.

Here's mine built from 2" x4" tube w/ 5/16" plate top. Drawers are 2' x 3' steel shelves turned upside down on full extension drawer slides. Also put adjustable feet on it to level it out. Built the first out of rough sawn oak but as it dried out everything kinda twisted around and drawers didn't work too well.

Jeff, that is a darn nice idea using the steel shelves turned upside down for drawers. It looks like something to copy. Where did you find the full extension drawer slides?

I'll have to give my Dad credit for the idea. I believe I got the slides from Home depot. Weren't cheap. If not in a hurry, I'm sure you could find for less online somewhere.

The heaver the better. If you were to build one it will be very expensive with the iron prices. You might check Craigs List. I see them all the time at very low prices.Stan

I built a 4 x 8 welding table out of 1/2 inch plate. 5/8" or 3/4" plate would have been even better. I can tack stuff on it and also heat and pound things on it. Any thinner would get warped. A nice flat table is really nice for fitting projects together. Under the table I made a 4 inch channel frame that's in about 8 inches from the edge with a center cross member as well. I welded it with MIG and put staggered welds about 2 inch inches long every 8 inches or so to join the frame to the top. I made sure to suck the top tight to the frame to keep it flat. The staggered welds were so that it wouldn't warp from the heat. I saw a table someone made out of 3/8" plate that was warped really bad because the put a continuous weld along the length of it when joining it to the frame. I designed it so I had to buy the least amount of steel. The legs are square tubing and I mounted 4 locking swivel casters with a large piece of ready rod on them. I welded a big nut on the bottom of the legs for the ready rod to thread into and use a jam nut to lock it in place. This way I can level the table exactly how I want it. I mounted a tubing bender on one corner and it has to be level to get accurate, straight bends. In the opposite corner I mounted a big vice. There is smaller tubing joining the legs together that doubles as a support for a bottom shelf. I also made a drawer out of 1/8" plate for it for putting tools in. I can stand in the drawer. The table weighs 1000 lbs. I built it about 10 years ago and it cost around $400 or $500 for the steel if I remember right. It's easy to roll around but is a real pain if you have to pick it up. Dave

Here are some pictures of my portable welding table that I can roll outside when needed. A guy gave me a nice metal box made out of about 16 gauge coated metal. I added wheels and a top plate of steel about 9/16 thick that I had laying around and was just the right size. Then I cut out one side and installed two single heavy duty file cabinets that I picked up at a salvage place for $2 each. Somehow they where exactly the right size to fit the cabinet. It sure is handy for portable use. I store my helmet and grinding shield in the top drawer to protect them and I always know where they are.

My old(previous) neighbour has a table about 4'x9' with a 1" top plate.Basic as can be. Big heavy wall 4"x4" legs. The top alone weighs over 1400 lbs.

I bought three work benches in different sizes in a scrap yard that is selling out, also bought a 255 Lincoln wire welder, was there again today to get the owner's manual for the welder and he had another welding table with a big vice on it, Call me and I will give U directions to the Yard, 812-963-6108.

This one will take on all comers,,, 1-1/4" steel top 8) ,,, 1200 lbs cracklist special $125.00,,, it ain't for sale :lol:
[/img]

A second vise on the far end will help holding big pieces for welding.