First Project

[topnos]

Take it easy on me, I’m a “noob”, but here is my soon-to-be first project.

I am working out the schematics, and would like to get some input, be it good or bad. I am going to build a welding table with the following specifications:

1. Overall surface dimension of 51” x 24”
2. Top plate will have a 2” overhang on all four sides
3. Top will be four 1’ x 2’ plates (either 3/8” or 1/2” thick) with a 1” gap between each plate for clamps, etc…
4. Frame and legs will be 2” x 2” x 1/8”
5. Box to accommodate a tool box will be hung (as indicated in drawing)

Now I don’t have access to a good drawing program, or I don’t necessarily know how to work such a drawing program to make it worth my time to go through the process to design it. With this in mind, I reverted to the age-old, tried-and-true, method of scale drawing.

If you can take a look and let me know if you would change any of it, add something else to it, or if you have any recommendations for me to consider.

Thanks!

[joedirt1966]

These are just my personal preferences:
1. Go with the 1/2" top if you can afford it.
2. Increase your overhang to 2.5" - 3" and get some deep reach F-style clamps.
3. Optional: Download Google Sketch-up for free. P.S. I draw everything by hand also. I have Sketch up but just can't seem to find the time to learn it as well as others have on this site.
4. Measure the thickness of your clamps to make sure you can turn them 360 degrees in the one inch spaces you are planning. 4" and larger C-Clamps are approximately 1.25" thick.

We want to see pics of the finished project.

[weldbead]

cad, shmad...i'm glad to see people using pencil and graph paper..remember that a pencil sharpened with a pocketknife works better than one sharpened in a machine...

[viper522]

Hope this does your design justice. I left out the toolbox intentionally.

[jdchmiel]

Originally Posted by weldbead

cad, shmad...i'm glad to see people using pencil and graph paper..remember that a pencil sharpened with a pocketknife works better than one sharpened in a machine...

Is that a quote or something? Or jsut an observation of how pencils seem to be plenty, and sharpeners completely missing? I just stole the wifes electric sharpener in order to sharpen the collection of dull pencils I have laying around lol.

[weldbead]

Originally Posted by jdchmiel

Is that a quote or something? Or jsut an observation of how pencils seem to be plenty, and sharpeners completely missing? I just stole the wifes electric sharpener in order to sharpen the collection of dull pencils I have laying around lol.

a machinesharpened pencil's "lead" has a cone shape, as you write it rounds off..a knife sharpened pencil's "lead" has flat sides with facets from the blade and as you write you rotate it and keep a sharp point..something we learned back in the day when we took mechanical drawing classes..when you got good enough with pencil the instructor made you use ink, and if you fuffed up a new sheeet of paper was 25 cents..

[goinssr]

Originally Posted by weldbead

a machinesharpened pencil's "lead" has a cone shape, as you write it rounds off..a knife sharpened pencil's "lead" has flat sides with facets from the blade and as you write you rotate it and keep a sharp point..something we learned back in the day when we took mechanical drawing classes..when you got good enough with pencil the instructor made you use ink, and if you fuffed up a new sheeet of paper was 25 cents..

I may have just learned something here. When I took drafting in school many decades ago (shut up!) our instructor made us sharpen our drafting pencils by hand. Pencil sharpeners were not allowed. And all this time I just thought he was being a dick.

[topnos]

Originally Posted by viper522

Hope this does your design justice. I left out the toolbox intentionally.

viper522,

That looks great, and with all the possible justice done!

Thanks!

[DSW]

Originally Posted by weldbead

a machinesharpened pencil's "lead" has a cone shape, as you write it rounds off..a knife sharpened pencil's "lead" has flat sides with facets from the blade and as you write you rotate it and keep a sharp point..something we learned back in the day when we took mechanical drawing classes..when you got good enough with pencil the instructor made you use ink, and if you fuffed up a new sheeet of paper was 25 cents..

Yep. I still rotate a pencil when drawing lines on materials to keep a sharp point. I've had guys on jobs look at me like I'm crazy but the lines stay small and sharp and I can keep an accurate line.