Newbie dilemma – help with first welding table

[Neophyte]

Wow that's nuts! I live in Chicago which is within 20 miles of several steel mills, so that might affect the price substantially?

[Neophyte]

You are lucky that is what u pay! I would've paid $2k easy across the pond. I just bought a piece of 1/2"x5'x4' plate sitting in the ozone for $350. If I bought new it would have been $1100+.

Wow that's nuts! I live in Chicago which is within 20 miles of several steel mills, so that might affect the price substantially?

[BD1]

Wow that's nuts! I live in Chicago which is within 20 miles of several steel mills, so that might affect the price substantially?

If you don't mind taking a drive to Wisconsin, give these guys a call. They will give you prices over the phone .Have lots of OUTSIDE steel in various sizes and shape and NEW clean stuff inside. Sheet steel too both flat and expanded.
http://www.palsteel.net/

PHONE: 262.495.4453
HOURS: M-F 8am-4:30pm Sat: 8am-11:30am Sun: CLOSED
414 South 3rd Street, Palmyra Wisconsin 53156 View Map.

[Will S.]

Are the drawers attached to the table or just sits in there?

I built the table frame and cabinet supports to allow easy installation and removal. I completely finished the table, and painted it before installing. To remove, I simply push it back 2", then tip the top backwards, and lift the bottom up, and slide it completely out the end of the table. When I got the tool cabinet, I measured the distance diagonally, from the bottom front to the top at thr back. That is what it neded to clear the underside of the steel top, so that it can be slid out. I welded the lower table frame to give me just the needed clearance.

On edit; this pic might give you a better idea of how the cabinet sets. Notice that on the rear support for the cabinet, the flange is facing down, so the cabinet can be slid back. So far, it hasn't moved from closing the drawers with weight in them, but I might screw a small bracket or fender washer to the support, to keep the cabinet from being pushed back.

[Neophyte]

I finally got around to finishing this table. I had some electrical issues in my garage which affected the welds (low voltage/amperage) through about 75% of the project. Had an electrician come by and problem solved. I'm going to put a coat of paint on this beast and finish the shelves over the next few days. Thanks everyone for your help!

[ccogg]

Looks great. Is there a drawer or something that goes under one side? Nice design.


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[Neophyte]

Looks great. Is there a drawer or something that goes under one side? Nice design.


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Thanks! I'm going to put an expanded steel shelf in there.

[Neophyte]

What cloudman said... practice on the same material, so you know that you are getting proper penetration.

I just built this table; a 36 x 61 x 1/2", using pretty much the same square tubing as you bought, except all mine is 2x2. I do have a heavier duty welder, but you can do it with that one. I used 1/2" flat-head socket bolts to install the top, as I didn't want to weld the top on. This way, later, I can easily shim a bowed top, or even remove it. I welded small gussets to the inside corners of the frame, and welded nuts to the back of those. Then I simply drilled and countersunk the mounting holes. If you decide to so the same, I have a lot of extra 1/2x2 flat socket-head bolts.

Attachment 1584871

Attachment 1584881

Attachment 1584891

Attachment 1584901

Attachment 1584911

Great looking table! How tall is it?

[Will S.]

Thanks!. With the home-made leveling feet, height can be adjusted from 36" to 40". I have it set to just over 36". I used 5" grade 8 bolts, welded to 1/4" discs I cut out of a piece of flat bar, so they could easily be removed (to 35.5"), or xchanged for something else, for more height.

[Neophyte]

Wasn't able to get the expanded steel I wanted for the shelves so I just started painting. So here it's is!