Building a Shop / Weld Table

[BukitCase]

Lotsa good options from several members; regardless of which you adapt, check out post#10 here
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/welding/391964-receivers-welding-tables.html?highlight=receiver

if you wanna put ANYTHING very heavy into a receiver, my mod will be a good idea... Steve

 

[Big Barn]

These photos may (or maybe not) give you some ideas.





The second photo shows how I notched the receivers alá BukitCase's suggestion. An alternative would be to cut a 45° notch off the top of your "stinger" tubes.

 

[Jeepnford]

Here's one I built with a receiver hitch.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/welding/524224d1507601501-welding-table-build-dsc01009-jpg

 

[MOTractor]

Lotsa good options from several members; regardless of which you adapt, check out post#10 here
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/welding/391964-receivers-welding-tables.html?highlight=receiver

if you wanna put ANYTHING very heavy into a receiver, my mod will be a good idea... Steve

Great idea, that just got added to the "build the table" list. Thank you!

 

[MoArk Willy]

You mentioned Wheeler Metal in Springfield? They sell welding tables most likely cheaper than you can build one. Save your money for more toys.

 

[MOTractor]

You mentioned Wheeler Metal in Springfield? They sell welding tables most likely cheaper than you can build one. Save your money for more toys.

Yep, Wheeler is where I will buy most of the material. Square stock from them, top from Rose Metal. I looked at their tables and you are right, they are cheaper than I can build. Part of this project is for me to learn to weld better and build with metal. Also their tables are to big for my space. That 8' table with the 1/2" top is nice, but I would have to climb over it�� My Max length is 5'

 

[MoArk Willy]

I completely understand. Just thought I would throw it out there.

 

[ovrszd]

Yep, Wheeler is where I will buy most of the material. Square stock from them, top from Rose Metal. I looked at their tables and you are right, they are cheaper than I can build. Part of this project is for me to learn to weld better and build with metal. Also their tables are to big for my space. That 8' table with the 1/2" top is nice, but I would have to climb over it�� My Max length is 5'

They must mark up their materials quite a bit. Evidently they want customers to buy their tables. I bought a 36x60x3/4" top plate for $100.

I'd consider 1/2" top too thin.

I totally agree with your size situation. You can have too much table. Size needs to match location and use.

There's a lot of satisfaction in building your own too. Looking forward to pics and review when you are done!!!

 

[lostcreekranch]

Yep, Wheeler is where I will buy most of the material. Square stock from them, top from Rose Metal. I looked at their tables and you are right, they are cheaper than I can build. Part of this project is for me to learn to weld better and build with metal. Also their tables are to big for my space. That 8' table with the 1/2" top is nice, but I would have to climb over it My Max length is 5'

8’ Long, but do you know width and height? Didn’t see any dimensions on the web site other than 1/2” thick top. I wish they had a location closer to us.

Extreme Heavy Duty Welding Table | Wheeler Metals

 

[ovrszd]

Based on the angle of the pic I'm guessing the table top has no support frame under it. Legs butt welded to the plate. At 8' length that table will not be rigid if working in the middle. Would be a good starter I guess if a person doesn't feel confident in their welding skills. But then why does that person need a welding table.

I think MOTractor is on the right track building his own!!!! He'll build a much stronger and more useful table than those.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Their model is “WELDTABLE2784”. I wonder if it’s maybe 27” x 84”?

 

[ovrszd]

Could be Rick. That would make sense. Studying the pic, if it's 84" long, it's probably somewhere near 27" wide.

 

[Big Barn]

8’ Long, but do you know width and height? Didn’t see any dimensions on the web site other than 1/2” thick top. I wish they had a location closer to us.

Extreme Heavy Duty Welding Table | Wheeler Metals

Judging by the item number one might assume the top dimensions are 27"x 84". But then I should know better than to assume.....

 

[ovrszd]

Judging by the item number one might assume the top dimensions are 27"x 84". But then I should know better than to assume.....

My toolbox is full of assumptions Terry.

 

[MOTractor]

It is looking good for me to buy the metal early next week, then the fun will begin. After all the great replies and reading all the post about table here and on WW, I think I have a workable plan in my head... Need to do a bit of drawing this week but here is what I have come up with so far. Please let me know if I have missed something. suggestions welcome.

My table specs, I think

Top: 3/8 thick, 30" x 60". 2 or 2-1/2 inch overhand on all sides
Top: will weld in cross pieces to the frame, Will stitch the top to frame.
Height: 36"
Casters and floor locks. Mount floor locks to outside of leg tube like Big Barn did (TBN)
Thinking about these floor locks.
Casters 6", cast iron hub with polyurethane tread - these are already on hand
Leg assembly and all cross pieces: 2 x 1/4 square tube
Receiver / stinger: 2-1/2 x 3/16 Sq for receiver, 2 x 3/16 Sq for stinger
2 on each long side, the 2-1/2 tube will be 30"ish long, same tube services both sides of table
1 on each end, the 2-1/2 tube will butt into the long side tube
2 9/16 holes in each receiver end, with 1/2 nuts welded in place on outside
2 quad outlets, one on each end, diagonal, mounted to the left side of each end. long cord...
Grinder rack one both ends, under or near the outlet
2 mig gun holders. Welded to the inside edge of the leg, right side as looking at long side
Bottom shelf: Expanded metal with 3-ish cross braces of 2 x1/4 square tube
What will live on bottom shelf: abrasive chop, cut offs, vise
Clamp rack: each end with the grinder holder

What have I missed? Thanks!

 

[ovrszd]

You'll only know what you missed after using it a few hours. And there will be something.

 

[shaeff]

Yes. Love these old Wilton vises. I lost one in a shop fire few years ago. Was lucky to find another one. So easy to use and extremely dependable. If you look closely you can see I've bent the handle on this one. I use it hard.

Sorry to hear about the fire. I love Wiltons as well, picked this one up off Craigslist for a song a few weeks back. No date stamp on it, but I narrowed it down to within the first few years of production.

It's very beat up, but will eventually make it onto an exterior work bench with a thick steel top, until I get a garage...

 

[MOTractor]

You'll only know what you missed after using it a few hours. And there will be something.

As long as I wind up with 4 casters and top the middle can be adjusted later!

 

[BukitCase]

"Receiver / stinger: 2-1/2 x 3/16 Sq for receiver"

I don't think you'll like the amount of SLOP this will give you - if you can find it locally, REAL receiver tube would be better - it's made 2.530" OD and 2.030" ID so it gives .030" clearance for a 2" tube. Even THAT amount may irritate you enough to add weld nuts/bolts to take out the slop, but it's a LOT less than .120" of slop...

My steel supplier carries the receiver tube, but not all will - and you'd still have to buy a full stick at most places I know. The other option might be to just go to a trailer place and buy actual receivers.

Your call, but before you buy material you might wanna actually slide the pieces together and wiggle 'em... Steve

 

[MOTractor]

"Receiver / stinger: 2-1/2 x 3/16 Sq for receiver"

I don't think you'll like the amount of SLOP this will give you - if you can find it locally, REAL receiver tube would be better - it's made 2.530" OD and 2.030" ID so it gives .030" clearance for a 2" tube. Even THAT amount may irritate you enough to add weld nuts/bolts to take out the slop, but it's a LOT less than .120" of slop...

My steel supplier carries the receiver tube, but not all will - and you'd still have to buy a full stick at most places I know. The other option might be to just go to a trailer place and buy actual receivers.

Your call, but before you buy material you might wanna actually slide the pieces together and wiggle 'em... Steve

I will call Rose Metal tomorrow, they seem to carry everything metal. Wow 1/10th of an inch, that is sloppy. Thank you!