Welding table informational thread

[twoslo4five0]

So I acquired 2 decent sized, oddly shaped pieces of 1/2" steel the other day. I want to take the 2 and make 1. They table should be about 2x3 when done and it won't be a rectangular or square (sounds weird I'm sure). Someone had made a sitting bench in the shape of a C for the base and a C for the back. I cut a straight edge on both sides and was going to root pass weld the 2 pieces together till I was reading about warpage. Didn't really think warpage would come into play with 1/2. whats my best way to go about joining the 2 pieces? Also bracing? Never thought id need bracing for something that small and thick, but maybe I do? HELP!

 

[blazinzuk]

Build the frame work. Put peice s on frame work. Weld to framework weld together.

Or create a fixture to hold both flat.

 

[twoslo4five0]

so basically your saying, build a structure then put the top on and weld top to structure. Instead of building the structure off the top, correct? What should I be using for bracing? I haven't really figured out the legs yet but its going to be something heavy.

 

[blazinzuk]

Yes

I would use 2x4. I built a table out of stuff I have laying around. It needs many mods.

Rectangular tube resists bending pretty good at that size

 

[twoslo4five0]

What span (distance in between centers) for the bracing? 18"? or on 12s?

 

[twoslo4five0]

Finished up the the 1/2 inch top fab table with my tube bender, big vise, and disc grinder all attached. Bender is mounted via 2 receiver tubes so you can take it on and off. Structure of the table is 2/4 with 4 inch angle bracing every 8 inches. All fully welded. Everything together weighs close to 700 lbs. casters are rated for 700 pounds a piece. Table, grinder, follower on the bender and the stands I built are all the same height leaving tons of options for bending tube and cutting long pieces of material.

 

[twoslo4five0]

Added a few more items.

 

[ryoken]

here's mine... 4' x 3'.. l love the dimension....

3/8" top... 3" x 3" supports/legs, with adjustable 2.5" leg centers... still need to add the lower basket/shelf...

actually the underframe was 2.5 x 3.... old snappy box welded on....

 

[twoslo4five0]

Mine is weighing damn near 800 LBS if I have to guess and still need to add some stuff. I got to build a welding kart holding 2 migs, a plasma, a stick, a tig, 3 bottles and gloves/ect.

 

[Deuling]

I finally figured out who you are on FB due to your goofy looking skim board fab table

 

[twoslo4five0]

Secret identity

 

[FOR MUD]

I thought everyone knew Jay........

 

[twoslo4five0]

....

 

[twoslo4five0]

"offically" finished it up today. Im happy with the way it turned out. She is a heavy pig though