sweet little welding table mod

[supermanotorious]

I don't know if I ever mentioned it but when I made my welding table I did not tack the top sheet to the frame. The original purpose was that I thought I might get a plasma or oxy/acet cutter and would use the frame with no sheet for cutting.

I've been long considering welding a jig to the table for all my 90 degree weld needs but esp for my winch business. I finally flipped the sheet over and made the jig from scrap square tube. It took me a few attempts to get it perfectly square but the process was fun (welding, cutting, grinding, repeat).

I can flip the sheet over for a flat welding table still.

In addition, I discovered TSP today. HOLY **** does that clean!!!! I've called my local steel yards for suggestions on how to clean off the grease and crap they put on the steel and they have never had any suggestions. I've tried Dawn soap and even gasoline with mediocre results at best. I searched YouTube for cleaning steel today and learned about TSP. I mixed 1.5 cups into 6 gallons on warm/hot water in a bucket and let my steel soak for about 20 min. I then wiped it all down with a microfiber towel and I've never seen my steel so clean.

 

[supermanotorious]

I did a ton of welding today, after all the 90 angles were tacked up I flipped the table and took a pic of the frame for you

 

[rmm727]

Thanks for the tip on TSP. I'll have to try that. I've used GoJo hand cleaner in the past with decent success. Here's what I did for a welding table. This is the top for a folding one I was working on. Still need to finish it but now Harbor Freight makes a cheap one of those. Want to make a big 1/2" thick one some day as well.

http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/rmm727/media/IMGP2197_zps5bfb2a0d.jpg.html?sort=3&o=8

 

[supermanotorious]

Nice, a 1/2" table would be sweet but tough to move. I forgot to mention I got the TSP at Home Depot and here is the video that I found:

http://youtu.be/zlJLEdNXGZo

PS, saw your Sportster, I have a 2003 Dyna

 

[Entropy421]

Here’s my TIG welding table being built. I made it with 3/4" plate steel, 5” C-channel supports, with 5”x5”x3/8” angle for legs. The feet are 1/2” plate. The table weighs about 700 pounds, and is very sturdy.

And below is my heavy-duty welding table. This cast nodular iron table weighs a tad over 3000 pounds – not including the stand.

 

[supermanotorious]

daaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnggggggggg dude, that is sweet, I wish I had a shop and didn't have to do all my work on my RV pad at the house, but then again, I get the work done.

 

[rmm727]

Nice, a 1/2" table would be sweet but tough to move.

I work at a shop that builds big rig trailers during the summer so I wanted to have a table like they use at home. I was going to use large casters.

PS, saw your Sportster, I have a 2003 Dyna

Thanks Its a 2008 1200R Sportster Roadster. Last year for that model. 6500 miles. I need a bigger bike, would like a street glide.

And below is my heavy-duty welding table. This cast nodular iron table weighs a tad over 3000 pounds – not including the stand.

I like that cast iron stand. Where do you get something like that?

 

[Entropy421]

https://www.weldsale.com/shop/ws55b-platen-5-ft-x-5-ft-with-stand/

They can be pretty pricey when new. My table is a heavy-duty version of the one linked above. My table is 5’ x 5’ also, but it’s 4inches thick through the holes – making it weigh in at 3000 pounds. I purchased mine (without the stand) from a small ship repair company that was closing down. I paid 250 cash, which was less than the price of scrap. I.E. it was a good deal for me. These tables are great for fabricating things. Example, you can stake down a go-kart frame to the table, weld it up, and the frame will not move during the welding process. It's faster than building a jig - and unless you absolutely abuse the table, the table will never break. Some people like to have a perfectly ground finish on their table. That's fine I guess. . . . I like to actually use my table. And even after all the years of heavy industrial use, it's still pretty darn flat.

 

[Rustydog2010]

I hope like heck there is something supporting that forklift!

 

[Entropy421]

The concrete floor is 8 inches thick, 4000 psi mix. The slab rests upon undisturbed soil. It supports the forklift just fine.

 

[machinist@large]

Oh, the irony.......

I hope like heck there is something supporting that forklift!

The concrete floor is 8 inches thick, 4000 psi mix. The slab rests upon undisturbed soil. It supports the forklift just fine.

I believe Rusty was referring to the fact that you're standing under the table with no visible safety stop for the forklifts mast. In industry, that's usually a write up type safety violation.....

 

[Entropy421]

If my garage were part of a business, and I were an employee with an overbearing boss breathing down my neck at every step – fearful of his next OSHA inspection - I reckon he’d be giving me a talking to. Fortunately for me, I’m just a home hobbyist.

And let’s be honest - when people get hurt by forklifts, it usually involves a forklift in-motion – carrying excessive loads, and/or loads not properly supported by the forks. My forklift is not moving (it’s not even running). The table is at zero risk of slipping off the forks, and I’m about 2 tons short of being overloaded. I routinely lift very heavy things with my forklift, thus if a hoist cylinder hose were going to catastrophically fail, it wouldn’t be from this 700 pound table . . . Risk assessment guys - this was in fact, low risk.

Per OSHA standards, you can’t even change out an overhead office space fluorescent light bulb, without first physically locking-out the supply breaker, donning fall-protection, eye protection, and gloves - and also having a hazmat cleanup kit staged – just in case you drop a bulb. . . .