Building a Shop / Weld Table

ovrszd · Mar 1, 2018

There are gobs of calculators on Google to determine steel weight. I think it's a wise tool to use when you have your materials figured out. Gives you an idea of what to expect in regards to moving the table. My table loaded nears 1000lbs. On a clean floor I have to lean into it for a couple seconds to get it started rolling. I move it frequently depending on the project. Wouldn't get nearly as much use from it static.

ovrszd · Mar 1, 2018

Here's mine in it's work clothes.

Peter 315 · Mar 1, 2018

ovrszd said:
Here's mine in it's work clothes.

View attachment 542121

Richard is that a wilton vise I have one from 1940 or so I would have to take it apart to read the date again

MOTractor · Mar 1, 2018

My table plans have already changed since yesterday afternoon, thank you TBN. I think I have narrowed the top size to 30" wide by 5' long OR 36" wide by 5' long. Anybody ever wish they had built smaller? Is this a case of bigger is better? So 30" or 36"?

MOTractor · Mar 1, 2018

farm boy00 said:
Take a tape and measure the receiver our a truck or something. For the receivers drills 2 holes. On perpendicular sides and weld nuts over the holes so you can use a bolt to tighten up a tool in the receiver.

Went to one of our local metal supply place (Wheeler Metal) this afternoon. I asked about what they suggested for the receiver style mounting hardware. Using their sample board it looks like a 2 x 2 x 3/16 square tube fits nicely inside a 2-1/2 x 2-1/2 x 3/16. I know a standard receiver has a collar around the front end - do I need that collar?

mike48130 · Mar 1, 2018

The collar won't do much for your application. Instead of a pin I would weld on a 1/2" nut so you can tighten it. The pin will allow it to wobble.

ovrszd · Mar 2, 2018

Peter 315 said:
Richard is that a wilton vise I have one from 1940 or so I would have to take it apart to read the date again

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.

ovrszd · Mar 2, 2018

MOTractor said:
My table plans have already changed since yesterday afternoon, thank you TBN. I think I have narrowed the top size to 30" wide by 5' long OR 36" wide by 5' long. Anybody ever wish they had built smaller? Is this a case of bigger is better? So 30" or 36"?

Mine is 36x60. For two reasons. It's the size of plate I found. And it fits my shop nicely. My shop is 42x50.

bigtiller · Mar 2, 2018

ovrszd said:
Mine is 36x60. For two reasons. It's the size of plate I found. And it fits my shop nicely. My shop is 42x50.

Mine is 3'x5' for the same reason. But it is only 1/2" thick. If it was thicker I would drill it for bench dogs.

Big Barn · Mar 2, 2018

I modified some inexpensive floor locks to make them adjustable and welded one on each corner of my steel castered weld table.

Photo above: Left floor lock OEM. Right one Big Barnerized.

Not only can the table be locked in place, but it's now quick and easy to fine tune for levelling.

ovrszd · Mar 2, 2018

Big Barn said:
I modified some inexpensive floor locks to make them adjustable and welded one on each corner of my steel castered weld table.

View attachment 542215

Photo above: Left floor lock OEM. Right one Big Barnerized.

View attachment 542216 View attachment 542217

View attachment 542218

Not only can the table be locked in place, but it's now quick and easy to fine tune for levelling.

I've saw these before. Made me just as jealous to see them this time.

sandman2234 · Mar 2, 2018

Nice tables are great! I had a chance to buy one made from 4x4 and when I got there, he had several. He was looking for a way to get one really nice one moved "up to Iowa. Turned out I had a way to get it moved (and did) and ended up with several tables and 1 inch plate tops. Nothing is too heavy for these tables!
David from jax

MOTractor · Mar 4, 2018

Big Barn said:
I modified some inexpensive floor locks to make them adjustable and welded one on each corner of my steel castered weld table.

View attachment 542215

Photo above: Left floor lock OEM. Right one Big Barnerized.

View attachment 542216 View attachment 542217

View attachment 542218

Not only can the table be locked in place, but it's now quick and easy to fine tune for levelling.

I'm pretty sure I'm stealing that idea

Even if I don't make them adjustable that is a great way to mount them!

ctrider · Mar 4, 2018

Me too, I like that idea. Much easier than what I was going to do with threaded rod.

ovrszd · Mar 4, 2018

My fantasy is a pedal you push with ur foot to swing casters down and lift the table for movement. Then step on the pdeal and release a latch to set the table back down on it's pads. I'm just not smart enough to design it.

I think Terry could.

Big Barn · Mar 4, 2018

Richard: I doubt Terry could.

BUT he was smart enough to BUY such a device.

Have a closer look at my photos. Stepping down on the pedal raises the table so that the casters clear the ground and the table is stabilized and level. Using your foot to push down on either of the "winged" rods on either side retracts the(spring loaded) locks and the casters are in contact with the floor once again.

The only mod I did was to make them adjustable for levelling.

I know it's not EXACTLY what you had in mind but adjusting the table to be perfectly level makes some projects way easier to set up for welding.

ovrszd · Mar 4, 2018

I really like your setup Terry. It's much more user friendly than mine.

I still have faith that you could design what I was looking for. After struggling to get my cutting table extension to fold down I didn't even attempt the retractable feet.

I totally agree about leveling the table. That's a biggie for me.

Not sure I mentioned in this thread, but my feet are coarse thread bolts. I should have used fine thread. Would take less effort to raise/level the table.

I like your setup a lot!!!!

A well designed and durable table is a valuable tool for the shop. I use mine for many things beyond metal works.

MOTractor · Mar 8, 2018

I have decided on table size and the casters, I think

Top size will be 30" x 60". I took a piece of cardboard and cut it to 36 x 60, put it on a roll around cart, put stuff under it to build up to the approximate height. Glad I did, i found out that a table top in reality is bigger than the table top in your mind

I cut it down to 30 wide and it fits my space much better.

The casters I am looking at are 6" from CasterConnection, cast iron hub with a polyurethane tread. Each caster is rated for 1200lbs. I will use 4 floor locks - planning on stealing Big Barn's method of attachment. What do you think?

Big Barn · Mar 8, 2018

That was a smart move making the cardboard template

MOTractor · Mar 8, 2018

How to mount receiver? Anybody have any closeup photos of how the receiver is cut/welded in?

Is the receiver really short and welded in front of the table top frame? I'm thinking not...
Should it be welded under the table top frame and side by side with the leg?
Maybe "through" the frame and welded to the table top and the frame it goes through?