Welding Tips and Tricks

I need to build a fab table and was wonder if you guys think that a 18"x4'table would be good enough?? Also when I build it i will post up pics and stuff..

I begin by assuming that a Fab table is a fabricating table, not a term I would use, but the same as a welding table. And I might be way off the mark, in which case I am sorry for wasting everyone's time.

I built a welding table some years ago, some 1200 x 1400. I think that is about 4' x 4' 8" (near enough). This size was determined by the availability of 13mm steel plate, but it was about what I wanted.

Now, my table is on industrial casters, two of which can be locked, so the table can be "just about" immobilised. That is, I can roll it around in my shop to adjust its position, relative to the work I am doing.

I also have a 4m long bench exactly the same height as the welding table at one end of the shop, and a concrete floor that I had laid with explicit instructions that it should be as level as possible. And it very nearly is. So, I often have the table in the centre of the shop, and steel extending between the table and the bench. Or steel is laid out on the floor.

Why all this verbal clatter? Because I do a lot of fabricating, and much of my material is 8m long on delivery (or 4m long if I collect it), and I often work with pieces of about 4m.

A welding table of 4' x 18" without the bench and floor (yes, I fit up and weld on that floor, quite often) just wouldn't allow me to work with my materials.

4' x 18" is a small table. What are you making? Do you have other means of supporting your materials when you are measuring, cutting and welding?

AnvilJack wrote:I begin by assuming that a Fab table is a fabricating table, not a term I would use, but the same as a welding table. And I might be way off the mark, in which case I am sorry for wasting everyone's time.

I built a welding table some years ago, some 1200 x 1400. I think that is about 4' x 4' 8" (near enough). This size was determined by the availability of 13mm steel plate, but it was about what I wanted.

Now, my table is on industrial casters, two of which can be locked, so the table can be "just about" immobilised. That is, I can roll it around in my shop to adjust its position, relative to the work I am doing.

I also have a 4m long bench exactly the same height as the welding table at one end of the shop, and a concrete floor that I had laid with explicit instructions that it should be as level as possible. And it very nearly is. So, I often have the table in the centre of the shop, and steel extending between the table and the bench. Or steel is laid out on the floor.

Why all this verbal clatter? Because I do a lot of fabricating, and much of my material is 8m long on delivery (or 4m long if I collect it), and I often work with pieces of about 4m.

A welding table of 4' x 18" without the bench and floor (yes, I fit up and weld on that floor, quite often) just wouldn't allow me to work with my materials.

4' x 18" is a small table. What are you making? Do you have other means of supporting your materials when you are measuring, cutting and welding?

Well my shop is a 8x8 shed and I am getting tired of trying to cut and welding on the ground ... I build parts for offroad trucks and what every needs to be built but I have been building a few bumpers..The top plate will be 1/4" plate steel ...

Your table size should be whatever size you need for whatever you're doing. I use 3/4" MDF or MDO sheets and cutoffs on sawhorses to configure whatever shape I need at the time. It works great and it can all store against the wall when I don't need it in the way.

Other Steve

I agree absolutely with delraydella: your table should be just the size you need it to be.

When I weld with wood under the steel, I always char the wood, even have it flame. This happened just this week. If you can make MDF work for you, good.

My comment about your proposed table is my concern with the "18 inches": I am constantly repositioning things on my table so that they balance while I weld them. I am not being critical of your plans, just stating my experience and asking that you consider this factor.

Welding on the ground ain't much fun. Good speed with the table building.

Cheers.

Wrong again. Heck, I'm good at that.

I spied a project on making a welding table on the Lincoln website. From my quick scan, it is 18" wide.

I am not suggesting you don't know how to build a table, but you might like to have a look at this: http://www.lincolnelectric.com.au/artic ... article529

All the best.

AnvilJack wrote:Wrong again. Heck, I'm good at that.

I spied a project on making a welding table on the Lincoln website. From my quick scan, it is 18" wide.

I am not suggesting you don't know how to build a table, but you might like to have a look at this: http://www.lincolnelectric.com.au/artic ... article529

All the best.

LOL I printed that out and it's what I am going for but a little bit longer..

Welding on the floor isn't very safe either, especially if it's a concrete floor. The heat can turn residual moisture into steam and cause the concrete to explode.


Other Steve