Welding Tips and Tricks

I am working on a welding table. I am using a simple design with 1/2 inch steel top 30 x 60, frame and legs of 3/16 thick 2 inch square tube. I am going for a 3 inch over hang. I have a mig 135 from northern, but since im working with 3/16 material i thought it best to use the miller diversion tig. I have it cranked up high and would like input as to the looks of my welds. I thought they look good but im not an expert. Also a question for the forum... the steel table top came today. It has about a 1/4 inch bow on the short side. Length wise it looks ok. I called and told them that that would not do. Can i expect a flat piece? i hope so because im paying 250 dollars for the piece, i hope it will at least start out flat. I dont plan to weld the frame to it, i will bolt it or leave it free, i dont want to warp it if possible.any suggestions or ideas would be nice

some more pix. I will post as the project progresses

Nice looking welds!

I would say send the top back if you can. It would be hard to pull out that warp on a 1/2 inch thick piece without major pressure. If you attached it to the table frame as is, i think it would pull up the frame to it and warp the frame.

Steve

Oh. just kiss my behind.

You knew those were praise-worthy welds when you posted them, didn't you?

Steve

P.S. Nice work.

Ha! Thanks Otto!

Hi there,

Thats is going to be one hell of a welding table. It certainly won't blow away. (Well twister maybe.)
Big plates of steel are rarely flat especially after oxy cutting or guillotining. If they could cut it they should have been able to straighten it, especially for 250 bones.(ah well, you'll know to ask next time)

Anyway, my experience is that you should never expect anything. If you are hoping that something will be a certain way, always make sure first. I made that mistake with powder coating, didn't want an area coated and thought it was obvious, seems it wasn't.

With your table top, any competent fab with a decent hydraulic press should be able to flatten it for you, providing you can get the plate to them, not so easy with such a big plate. Make a few calls and see how you go.

Good luck
Mick

luckily the guys at Speedy Metals never fail me. They replaced it with a flat piece no questions asked. I live close to them so its easy to run for something, and morning orders are always ready before noon.

Hi there,

Thats great that they could help you out. Customer service may live on after all.

Mick

next i have made some footies for skids, these i migged. Then i made some gussets for insurance, migged also. Then some shelf support pieces. Starting to come together. Need two or three able bodies to help me heft the top into place, meet me tomorrow morning sharp!

How much does the top weigh? You might want to add a fork lift or overhead crane to your wish list.

Funny delraydella! 255 lbs for the top, the frame is about 150. I want this beast to be solid and heavy

250lbs!