Advice on bracing for welding table project

[SlowBlues]

Nice!

[jfk92]

............ I used it today to weld up a smaller table for our back porch.

Nice table - your post reminded me of Hank Hill - using a smaller can of WD40 to open a larger stuck closed can of WD40....

[Noidea87]

I definitely lol'd at this one.

[Rangerhgm]

here's a picture of the final monstrosity. I used it today to weld up a smaller table for our back porch.Attachment 1712419Attachment 1712419

Congrats.....looks like it will function very well for exactly what you wanted.

I would consider adding a 4th piece of angle and put a shelf on it.

You might want to consider adding locking casters so you can more easily move it around.

[Mikel_24]

Great advice here from every member.

Opus post's are usually harsh, but the intent is good.

As everyone said, the less you weld on the top, the better. Flatness is something you will appreciate in the long run. And thickness is another one. The thicker, the better, as it will take much more heat without warping and you can bang on it harder without ruining it.

I don't know if you had browsed the web and had a look at the hundreds of posts about welding tables here in WW, but if you haven't, I suggest you do it now.

There are several approaches to welding tables but they can usually fall in two categories: Flat solid plate with a hole pattern to aid in fixturing and a table top made of slats. Both allow you to clamp pretty much anywhere in the table. Great to prevent things from moving arround when welding.

The solid plate approach is usually more expensive and requires drilling many precission holes. You either have to use a mag drill or pay to get it done.

The top made of slats is usually easier to build, ligther and cheaper. May not look as cool but it is equally usefull.

I strongly suggest avoid ANY welding to the table top to attach it to the frame. Bolt it instead. you could even adjust the flatness by adding seems and tigthening/loosening bolts as required.

Now that you have made the first table, keep working on it and you will discover why everyone is suggesting greater overhang, thicker plate, etc.

BTW, your firsts (I guess) welds, look much better than mine...

Mikel

[sapperb]

Welcome to the forum. Your closeup weld looks pretty good.

May be too late, but I probably would have put the legs in the corner and run the tube between the legs. Also you may wish you had allowed more overhang for clamps, ground clamp, etc. Your bracing plan to run around 3 sides is good if you want to sit at the table. MJD advised a shelf which is a great idea. You could consider a “H” connecting the 2 short sides with one long length between them.

The good news is there is no right or wrong answer. Build what you want, then redesign if you want later.

I hope you did not weld the top to the frame too much. A few short welds are sufficient and reduces the chance it will warp the top.

ya I agree, but what he can do is weld a tab on the table to ground to.