Welding table top

[colinh]

I'm looking to make myself a welding table. Question is would it be better to go for a solid top or one made up of lengths of box section with the gaps for clamps. I've ruled out a drilled solid top on cost. I've always thought the slats seem like a good idea but there is something niggling at my and I wonder if I would just end up not liking it. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Cheers colin

 

[Jay1st]

I've watched a lot of youtube videos about that.
And a flat top welding table will always have a bow, as for the one with multiple slats you can adjust them to be horizontal and fit the clamps.

If you have time take a look at Fireball tools on you tube, he has a video comparing different table brands, very instructive like all his videos btw

 

[Spark plug]

I think a slatted top would drive me crazy, constantly knocking your centre punch, scribe or chalk for example through the gaps. You would spend more time crawling underneath retrieving stuff than working.

 

[Mark 2]

I'm looking to make myself a welding table. Question is would it be better to go for a solid top or one made up of lengths of box section with the gaps for clamps. I've ruled out a drilled solid top on cost. I've always thought the slats seem like a good idea but there is something niggling at my and I wonder if I would just end up not liking it. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

You are absolutely right about the clamp opportunities that arise though I should say that there is, conversly is a greater chance of tools dropping through. Don't underestimate that annoyance. I just put a piece of wood down on a portion around the shape of the job in hand.
Doing it a second time, I would make cross members more un evenly spaced but generally fairly faultless.

 

[Sputter]

I have a welding table with sliding slats and it works well, although I don't use it for beating down on things with a sledge hammer.

One thing to consider is how to make the slats, if you want them to be both flat and relatively inexpensive. I made mine from steel plate with angle iron bolted underneath, it makes a huge difference to keeping the slat stiff and sag free, while still being able to use clamps on either side.

Don't let Spark Plug's fears about things falling off deter you - always knowing where to look to find a piece of chalk or missing centre punch can be an advantage as you get older

 

[colinh]

I'm well happy. Popped into a local scrap yard and picked up a proper heavy duty base for my welding table for £30. I was in the steel stockists later on and the 6 inch castors I've got were £30 ex vat each. I've gone with 75 x 25 box for the top. Hopefully get it painted tomorrow then the box section can go on.

 

[tom2207]

great find there

 

[colinh]

Looks better with some paint

 

[colinh]

OMG, what a difference having a welding table makes. For years I have been messing around on an uneven concrete floor never getting anything flat and square. Never again!!

 

[Mark 2]

I'm not sure there is a need for those massive bits of box but yeah, Royal blue.

 

[Mikes]

I'm not sure there is a need for those massive bits of box but yeah, Royal blue.

Reckon they might have been for picking the frame up with a forklift in its previous life. What a bargain for £30. My kind of scrap yard.

 

[Paul.]

Those fork sleeves would make good drawers, all you need is some sheet metal channels / boxes, folding or fabbing up like this, you could have two long ones or four short ones

 

[colinh]

They are for forklifting it. It came from an aerospace company that's folded. I didnt want them but I was going to use way to many cutting discs to get them off!! I guess that's the trouble when something is made by people who know what they are doing, with the budget to buy proper steel using good quality tools.

 

[colinh]

Drawers - awsome idea!!