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Who makes the best Portable welding table ?

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12K views 41 replies 24 participants last post by  shasti  
J
#1 · (Edited)
Hi everyone,
I have been looking online for a portable welding table. Seems they run from $69.99 for HF to over $229. for other brands. I know I will need to replace any cheap hardware. Weight is a concern, so closer to 50 lbs with rollers will work.
Any advice and opinions greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
 
#7 ·
Jonath108 said:
I have been looking online for a portable welding table. Seems they run from $69.99 for HF to over $229. for other brands. I know I will need to replace any cheap hardware. Weight is a concern, so closer to 50 lbs with rollers will work. Any advice and opinions greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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Jonath108 said:
I do have a bad back, so I do have to be real careful.
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Honest answer..... don't buy one of those little welding tables unless you really need the ability to fold it up and store it in a tiny footprint.

If you have a bad back and want to make your life a whole lot better, and you want a welding table that allows you to weld all sorts of things without getting crazy about it.... the best solution, imo, isn't a welding table at all.


https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200696308_200696308

https://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lbs-capacity-hydraulic-table-cart-60438.html

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The hydraulic lift carts are absolutely great as small welding tables, especially if you have a messed up back. Being able to raise and lower your work so you can weld comfortably might not seem like a big deal.... until you've tried it. And the first time you use the cart to load or unload your truck..... you'l be in love with the things!

It doesn't take any work, really, to upgrade the table top of the carts with something heavier and better suited to welding. You weld a sheet of 1/2" plate on some 1" spacers, drill yourself a ton of holes so you can use all the fancy clamps and fixtures you might like. Or you can leave it plain and rely on magnetic clamps to secure your work.

It's one of those tools that folks don't regret having even if they hate the initial outlay. They are very useful around the homestead!

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They have their drawbacks, sure, and you might have to do a little tweaking or modifying to make them better suited to your welding needs, but their other capabilities more than make up for that stuff. Plus, it can be kinda fun to customize your ride! :blob2:
 
#8 ·
The one you build your self.
It will have thing you need. All tables I have own was shop built for type of work I doing.


Dave
 

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#10 ·
Like Dave says.

Build one yourself. You will gain valuable experience about fabricating, welding and discover what you personally like in a table.

I've built five tables and bought one over the years. Still have the first one I built when I was 15.....

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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
A
#9 · (Edited)

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#11 ·
I think the build it yourself idea may be difficult if you are looking for something that will go in your trunk or the back of a van. I am not sure if I would call this portable, but if you redesign the legs/structure underneath, you could maybe do something with it. This table is 30 inches square across the surface and 36 inches tall. I built in an area for cutting and an area for bench welding.
 
W
#20 ·
I was given one of the Miller welding tables as a gift years ago. I never used it much until lately, but it is actually pretty nice for what it is. The only thing I don't like is the stupid "folding straps" (like a step ladder has between each side) that prevent it from closing accidentally. They started torquing and binding up each time it was opened and closed so I just ripped them off of it. I just have to remember they're no longer there and be a little more careful with it. It is on the heavier side for a portable table though.
 
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#25 ·
The Klutch table that I showed is selling for $82.99 from Northern tool, it looks reasonably well made for light duty work. I often use an old black&decker workmate because I got it for free, and it really is light, sturdy, and very handy. My Ridgid "Tristand pipe vise" cost me over $350 and I think they list for over $500 now. Here's the miller version of the folding weld table:

This one might be made from gold, because the list price at Grainger is like $470 !!!!

There are often times when it make sense to make your own, and other times your better off buying off the shelf and modifying. Knowing which usually comes from experience. I can say that at times I have gone overboard making a fixture/worktable , and my boss will ask "Are you making a master piece , I just need those brackets done today, c'mon."

"A good man always knows his limitations."

Whatever you buy, let us know how you like it.

Regards
 
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L
#38 ·
albrightree said:
The Klutch table that I showed is selling for $82.99 from Northern tool, it looks reasonably well made for light duty work. I often use an old black&decker workmate because I got it for free, and it really is light, sturdy, and very handy. My Ridgid "Tristand pipe vise" cost me over $350 and I think they list for over $500 now. Here's the miller version of the folding weld table:

View attachment 1727017

This one might be made from gold, because the list price at Grainger is like $470 !!!!

There are often times when it make sense to make your own, and other times your better off buying off the shelf and modifying. Knowing which usually comes from experience. I can say that at times I have gone overboard making a fixture/worktable , and my boss will ask "Are you making a master piece , I just need those brackets done today, c'mon."

"A good man always knows his limitations."

Whatever you buy, let us know how you like it.

Regards
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I have this same table that i bought 10 years ago. I love it and it has worked out perfectly for me in my little shop. Granted, I didn't that kind of money for it.
 
K
#29 ·
For some time I used to use one of these Harbor Freight rolling service carts:

https://www.harborfreight.com/16-inch-x-30-inch-steel-service-cart-5107.html

I clamped a piece of 1/4" plate on top. It was a few inches bigger than the cart all around for clamping work at the edges.

Easy to wheel outside or wherever you want it in the shop. Not so good for puting in a vehicle

I put a few fire bricks in one end and slid the plate to the side for OA cutting and heating.

It's nice to be able put clamps etc. in the bottom tray too.

Kirk
 
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#31 ·
I have one of these to use in the factory for welding. Its good because you can put the welder, or plasma cutter underneath, and use the top with piece of plate as a welding surface using the sides of the cart to catch most of the sparks. They aren't too heavy either, and will easily fit into a pick up , van , or SUV.

The only problem is they tend to collect stuff when left in a shop.

Unlike this...........

Nice table Jon, but at 4FT x 8FT and Half a Ton (1300 Lbs) doesn't seem very portable. I think the $4900 might also be over the budget of the OP, who was waffling on spending $800 for a portable stick welder. But hey , you never know, it is a nice looking table.
 
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#32 ·
albrightree said:
I have one of these to use in the factory for welding. Its good because you can put the welder, or plasma cutter underneath, and use the top with piece of plate as a welding surface using the sides of the cart to catch most of the sparks. They aren't too heavy either, and will easily fit into a pick up , van , or SUV.

View attachment 1727081

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I like the cart idea.

A piece of 1/4" plate with hardwood or ABS location "tabs" on the underside's corner would make it easier to transport and converted back to a cart when not needed for welding.

Perhaps a two or 3 inch overhang would be nice to accommodate clamping.

Also add 2 inch vertical receiver for vise (or)?

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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
S
#34 ·
https://www.powerbench.com/ The wife bought me one of these ror an early christmas present a couple of years ago at a farmshow, I was drooling but wouldn't spend the money. She disappeared later and when we left it was in the truck. Very handy and well made. I did have an Idea yesterday for the shooters, I have a shooting table forget the brand, but a chair with foldable legs that disassembles for transport, With a thicker top, should make a dandy one for tedious stuff.
 
#37 ·
I hope have found a table.

There is one thing about a table I found is weight is very helpful.
A small table needs to around 150 to 250 pounds so use a hammer and part does not bounce.
The folding tables are just to light for most jobs. Try a table on wheels.

Dave
 
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#40 ·
I have an old table I made years ago for work out in the strippins. Its 2ftx3ft or pretty close to that,it has 3" angle iron legs with some 3 or 4inch straps wrapped around it and some angle iron running between the legs and the top plate was 3/8". Im not quite sure of the exact measurements of the angle iron stuff anymore, I built this thing about 1989 or so and right now Im too damn tired to run out to the barn and measure it all up. I made it about 2 foot or so high so I could set on a bucket or a small chair and work like a civilized ol miner. Back in the day my bony *** was pretty stout and I would pick it up and toss it in the back of the weld rig. I used to do teeth, tooth bases and hitches, drag chains, crowsfeet, and other small stuff on top of it. Some of that stuff was pretty damn heavy...pick up a hitch for a 13 yard dragilne bucket sometime you wish had a chain fall or a crane. I had a 20 yard bucket rolled upside down I used for a weld shop welded a few eyes up in the floor and hooked a chain fall I bought and did the deed like that after the first hitch I did. Any way that table never blinked when I was usin it. Just a thought if you wanna go that route it is somewhat portable with a bit of muscle
 
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