new welding table

[supermanotorious]

I apologize for the double picture post. This is the new 3/4" slab for my welding table. My table is made of .120 wall (if I remember correctly) 1.25" square tube and has casters on the bottom. I never welded the old top to the frame for flexibility. I do trust the .120 wall to hold this massive piece of steel but know I wont be lifting the slab from the frame. I'm considering welding new legs to this slab but time will tell.

 

[mckutzy]

Well you could always bolt it to the top, or weld tabs to the underside of the top, then bolt it to the frame.

 

[chancer]

I usually see these Welding tables using a 3" Angle Iron Frame under the top plate. Set in 6 or 8" for a nice clamping Edge. Some also use Big angle for the legs. But not a 3/4" top.
This is gonna be great!

 

[supermanotorious]

thanks dudes! i'm going to have a friend help me put it on the existing table tonight but I'll prob weld square tube gussets in the corners first. the existing frame should give me some over hang for clamping

 

[Bbqjoe]

That's gonna be a heck of a table!

 

[supermanotorious]

I wrestled that big guy on to the table by myself. Took a wire cup brush to it then checked all over for flat. One end has a little hump, I'll try the nuts/bolts method sometime soon but taking my oldest backpacking in Sycamore Canyon this weekend so no metal work.

 

[chancer]

Sycamore Canyon San Diego?

 

[supermanotorious]

No, AZ

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=74369&actid=51

 

[chancer]

Good cause that is wear the Dump is! lol but true
Sycamore Canyon Landfill
and
Open space preserve!

 

[Poboy kartman]

Good cause that is wear the Dump is! lol but true
Sycamore Canyon Landfill
and
Open space preserve!

Oooo....gross...you guys in Cali "wear" your dumps???? We flush em in Texas!

 

[Kartorbust]

Wouldn't sheet metal suffice? We had tables in trade school/tech school for welding made from 3/4" plate with a schedule 40 4" for a leg, then a 2 3/4 diameter schedule 40 pipe welded to the top of the table with an arm with a t-handle bolt to lock down the arm for over head, vertical and flat horizontal welding, as well as pipe welding.

These tables weren't ready to move. I think it's over kill, but that's just me. I'd use steel expanded metal or 10ga sheet metal for the top, but just my preference.

You could probably set a fully dressed CAT C15 on the plate you have and it probably won't bend.

A designer knows he has achieved perfection, not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.

 

[supermanotorious]

I've had a roughly 1/8" top for years, it's too flexible, I depend on clamping to jig etc, I need something that wont flex

 

[Kartorbust]

Makes sense. Guess bracing wouldn't help much anyway.

A designer knows he has achieved perfection, not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.

 

[supermanotorious]

Temporary, I need to finish welding the gussets, simply tacked them in place last night

 

[mckutzy]

That's cool...
However... I would strongly suggest... When your doing more finish welding... Add leg cross braces... You don't want a leg to come out from undernieth it, especially with a heavy top and roller feet...
Moving it, being hit, or caught a cable/hose on the ground...

 

[chancer]

I Agree I would build a frame for the bottom connecting all 4 legs.

Other than that, I a Jealous.

 

[supermanotorious]

I'm certainly considering taking the 1/8" old top, and making that a bottom shelf which would address those points

No need to be jelly! I got the plate for about $137 after tax

Southwest Steel Sales has sort of a back lot with 1/2", 5/8", and 3/4" pieces similar that have been exposed for a long time and that's why I got such a deal

shipping to Cali or TX wouldn't be worth it but if you're ever passing thru P-Town...

 

[supermanotorious]

we conquered the canyon!