The Not-So-Ultimate-Welding Table!

[Rick V]

Here it is... Rick V's Not-So-Ultimate-Welding Table!
A section of open grill walk... on a portable stand!



Advantages:
1 - CHEAP
I got the 3/16T x 1.5W x 17L inch grill slats from an old floor section. It was already formed into a grill. Best part = it was Free!
I had a beat-up, light-weight portable table ($12 new many years ago)

2 - SUPER PORTABLE
I can pick up the 17 inch long by 13 inch deep grill and store it flat against a wall.
I can fold up the portable table and store it flat against a wall.

3 - EFFECTIVE
I attach a ground clamp to the far side, drop my work piece on the grill and weld.
Work pieces cool quickly because air is able to freely 'chimney up' between the grill slats and pass over the work.

4 - NO CLEAN UP
Unlike a flat metal table-top surface, I have no problems with weld splatter balls under my work pieces causing them to move at the slightest touch.
Beaten-off slag just falls through the grill onto the floor instead of remaining on the table surface.





Yep, this works for me!

[natesuehr]

Sure beats the heck out of welding on the floor. I like it. I can't wait to finish building mine as soon as I can learn to stick weld the square tubing that I have without burning gaping holes through it (or I run out of pieces from practicing).

[chopnhack]

That's really cool Rick. Very good point on heat dissipation.That workmate? looks like its seen some serious years of use!

[Rick V]

Originally Posted by chopnhack

That's really cool Rick. Very good point on heat dissipation.That workmate? looks like its seen some serious years of use!

Cool? Yeah, I guess it's cool... certainly affordable and easy to make.
Not a B&D Workmate, just a cheap-o portable work stand... ~13 years of use - more saw marks, paint colours and torch burns than normal.

[chopnhack]

beats my piece of painted plywood any day...

[weldbead]

grating makes a great table..i have some 3"xh pipe legs 6" channel and and 4 x 4 x 1/2 angle in stead of the workmate.. no money was spent on the materials..

[Rick V]

Whoa... great looking grate table weldbead! Next step is a Fire Pit underneath = Barbeque!

What's the purpose of the long-handle scrapper?

[weldbead]

Originally Posted by Rick V

Whoa... great looking grate table weldbead! Next step is a Fire Pit underneath = Barbeque!

What's the purpose of the long-handle scrapper?

i made that to chop ice in the driveway..
that grating has some kind of bitumastic coating..evenually ill get it all cooked off.. will stick to the smoker ..

[Rbeckett]

Dammit, your wooden work mate underwent evolution. The second table is way tougher, now just add a couple of recievers for misc grinders, vices and chop saws and you will have it goin on. A small jib crane would be nice too, depending on youe ceiling height. But that would give you a bad azz complete and usable to the max table. Not like it aint pretty bad now, it could just use getting a little badder if you got the coin.
Bob

[Rick V]

Originally Posted by Rbeckett

Dammit, your wooden work mate underwent evolution. The second table is way tougher...Bob

Yeah things can escalate pretty quicky around here!
Yep, true too that the 2nd table is "way tougher" but... can you fold it up and store it against a garage wall in under 1 minute?

[Rick V]

The though occurred to me that a barbeque is not such a bad idea.
One of the those big ones - insert a welder grating like we've been using and some protection over the burners. Cripes, be a great place for preheating a piece and welding say on a hot casting. Can close the lid for reheat and then weld some more. Good too for a slow cool down too. When all's done, you just close the lid and all is protected from the elements.

Here's a cool non-grating portable welding table - pretty neat. He's got a Lincoln AC/DC tucked in there so the table acts as a welding cart too. Saw it on Kijiji today.

[gow589]

I built a grated table. The grate is actually a drop from the laser cutter. Product was cu from 3/8" plate and I used the drop to build the table.

If you look for laser cutters you should be able to buy a piece like this for scrap or near scrap price. Far cheaper then solid plate due to the reduced volume of steel (all those holes).

It is both good and bad. Good in that I can always clamp things on it hang things on it, etc. Bad because I often drop things through like markers and tools. I do have a flat plate I lay on sections form time to time which is nice.

The part I really like is the vice set up. I welded on a trailer hitch receiver and welded a plate to the hitch. I plan on welding another receiver sideways so I can use the vice in the other direction.

The really nice thing about the receiver is I have stopped using the levers to rotate the vice. In fact I abused it so much I pulled the bolt through the threads and had to make a full round plate inside to hold the bolt. When I got done I tightened it down with nuts to where it won't move at all. If I need to move the vice I pick it up and drop it right back in the hitch at another angle; and the vice is solid in that position.

And if you want the vice out of the way, just lift it out.

[Rick V]

Originally Posted by gow589

I built a grated table. The grate is actually a drop from the laser cutter. Product was cu from 3/8" plate and I used the drop to build the table. [/img]

That is a Great Grate Table!
I think your table bridges the gap between a quick/dirty-garage/outside grate table and a true shop table. NICE!

[gow589]

Originally Posted by Rick V

That is a Great Grate Table!
I think your table bridges the gap between a quick/dirty-garage/outside grate table and a true shop table. NICE!

Thanks; you should be able to get those kind of drops from local laser cutters for cheap.