Welding Tips and Tricks

I am anticipating a new welding table build in my future. I want to get everyone's opinion of things you liked things you didn't like when building a table. I am thinking about pull out draws for tools and a shelf. Want everyone to throw out ideas. Keep it within 24"x 48".

One thing I can say with certainty is DO NOT WELD ON TOP MORE THAN YOU HAVE TO!!! I have built several tables and finally on the last one I smartened up and just stitched very, very lightly to hold the plate to the frame. This table came out as flat as it could.
One suggestion is when you make the frame, leave enough room to allow the clamps you will use to clamp your parts down without hitting the frame. The drawback to this is if you weld the table plate to much on the frame, it will warp down. Another can be hammering to hard could bend it slightly.
I put nuts on the legs to allow a bolt head to level it out when necessary.
I am sure there is more, will think of them and post up.
-Jonathan

"Right 0n" about table top/frame welding,warping ,hammer bending, clamping room

leveling with a cushion/non slip, quieter and does not mar floor,

expensive, but for the finicky ,works

http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-level ... ts/=t9xm0c

I never thought about a way to level it, thanks for that advice. I was thinking about putting pull out drawers on one side to put my wire brushes, raking hammer, ball peen hammer, and other useful tools but after the clamp suggestion I may throw that idea out or drop the drawers down a little to make room. I thought about casters on the bottom of the legs for portability in the future. The building I am in now would be tooooooo small to move it around in but later when I get the shop I want with a concrete floor in it to where I can roll it from job to job then it might be a great addition. I don't know just thoughts. Keep em coming.

I have seen trailer hitch balls used for adjustable welding table feet...

GlenC wrote:I have seen trailer hitch balls used for adjustable welding table feet...

Like

That's actually a damn good idea.
[THUMBS UP SIGN]

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GlenC wrote:I have seen trailer hitch balls used for adjustable welding table feet...

I think a large bolt would be cheaper?

Large bolts may be cheaper, but the chrome trailer balls look cool!

here is an interesting foot

Well, all this table talk has me wanting to start a new build!! I mentioned it to my wife and all I got was the eye roll and a reminder of how many tables I already have. I still want to do that alum table a well as a "designer" table, something that looks high end.
-Jonathan

Well I guess if you want a high end table I might be able to make time for you and build it for ya.

Matt,
I am not sure if I can afford your work, I am just a poor weldor
-Jonathan

I am not judging your welding skills, and I easy to work with.

In all honesty, I am thinking of picking up one of those portable tables. Mine are always covered in junk and the theory is I can set it up and put it away and it will not be covered in my junk.....we will see.
-Jonathan

Harbor freight has a decent looking portable table for a decent price.

That's the one I am thinking about buying. I have read others reviews that certain components are cheap so I am not sure yet.
-Jonathan

I have looked it over and like Jody says, what can go wrong?

Here's an update on the welding table.

Too---o nice.
Not meant to be used to work on

I added for swivel casters (locking) and I have flat bar on the other end for hanging angle grinders on. If you can't see it, I wired up an outlet box with 4 plugs and 6' of cord with a 110v plug so I can wheel it around and plug in anywhere and have power for tools.