It's going to depend on what kind of work you going to do on it. If you're doing heavy fabrication it won't hold up. Also how flat is it. If it's got a good flatness to it it might be worthwhile just to use it to build a better table.

 

You could always slap another 1/4" or 3/8" of steel on top of it... but $200 seems like lots for what it is. Or replace it with a thick steel top and save the aluminum for another project or sell it. If you specifically need aluminum, you couldn't make it for that, but it doesn't get me excited.

 

When you arc strike against the aluminum, it will leave a nasty pit that you can not fix easily.

Steel is SOOOOO forgiving in that situation.

 

That is a bargain. If you want to preserve the alum, skin the top with a sheet of steel.

 

Personally I could use the cabinet as is for uses OTHER than welding.

If I was in need of a WELDING table I would keep looking or build one.

 

It's going to depend on what kind of work you going to do on it. If you're doing heavy fabrication it won't hold up. Also how flat is it. If it's got a good flatness to it it might be worthwhile just to use it to build a better table.

Hobby work with MIG, mostly steel. I would like to make a few small tables and a workbench.
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You could always slap another 1/4" or 3/8" of steel on top of it... but $200 seems like lots for what it is. Or replace it with a thick steel top and save the aluminum for another project or sell it. If you specifically need aluminum, you couldn't make it for that, but it doesn't get me excited.

I can get a 1/4" thick 2 ft x 4 ft piece for about $100. I thought I might offer $150 for the table, but it's an hour drive away. I could put the money toward building a table. I don't need aluminum; I just saw this and thought I'd ask if it was a good peice for welding. I do like that it's on wheels. Decent caster wheels are expensive.
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When you arc strike against the aluminum, it will leave a nasty pit that you can not fix easily.
Steel is SOOOOO forgiving in that situation.

Thanks. good to know.
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That is a bargain. If you want to preserve the alum, skin the top with a sheet of steel.

Seems high for just a cabinet with no drawers. It does have an aluminum top and casters, though. If it was closer, I think I'd be more excited. Could I put a thin (16 Ga) sheet of steel on it?
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Personally I could use the cabinet as is for uses OTHER than welding.
If I was in need of a WELDING table I would keep looking or build one.

I was looking for ideas for a workbench and came across this. I thought I might put all the welding stuff in the cabinet, but I'd need to make sure it fit. It's got wheels, which is good for me so I can move it around the garage; I don't have tons of space.
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Looks like a good mig table though. I have carts that I weld mig on rather than my sit down tig benches.

Yeah, I plan in using it for MIG. I have the HF folding welding table, but that seems a bit small for what I have planned. I'd like something bigger; maybe 2 ft wide and about 4 ft to 6 ft long. I'd like to make one at some point, but I want to make a few "useful" items to show the wife. I've got a small garage bay to hold on this and there is other equipment in there, which is why the wheels appeal to me.

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I thought I might offer $150 for the table. Thoughts? He has 2, so maybe $300 for both? I could put them together to make either a 2ft x 8ft or 4ft x 4ft table, since they are on wheels.

 

I would prefer steel, I sometimes tack my work to the table if doing a difficult fit up.

 

How much do 4 new wheels, a piece of 2x4 plate, a really nice well built cab cost? Labor is free, I think its a great bargain. Not only as a welding bench but general work bench with a top that will wipe up well.

 

" Could I put a thin (16 Ga) sheet of steel on it?"
You could, but I wouldn't. Aluminum isn't cheap so I'd save it for another project, and just replace that top with 1/2" or thicker steel. If you do end up tacking 2 tables together you could drill some 5/8" holes in one end for fixtures and keep the other end solid. You could also do that with a portion of a single table. A two for one deal wouldn't be bad... like you say, those castors don't come cheap.

 

There is a cabinet on wheels that has a 1/4" thick, 2 ft x 4 ft aluminum top. Would this be a good welding table? He's asking $200.

View attachment 1776333

Looks nice.... but not $200.00 NICE

like mentioned.... I like the cabinet as rolling storage more than a welding table.... I'd probably save the alyewminnyum for another day and make a nice form fitting hardwood top.

as far as a welding table.... start scrounging steel and make yer own. It's a great project..

 

Thanks for the replies. I decided not to get them. The seller agreed to $300 for both, but it was just too far to go for me; over an hour there and longer back with traffic.

Steel pieces the same size would be just over $100 each. I suppose I could've sold the aluminum to offset that. I don't know how heavy the cabinets are and didn't want to drive all that way to go look, only to find they were flimsy sheet metal.

I like the idea of making one at some point. I have a 1/4" thick by 24" square-topped, 43-1/2" high, all-metal table on wheels that was given to me I could use in the meantime and see how I like it, what works and what doesn't. I may convert that into a welding cart.

 

That’s 75$ max for that

 

Thank you. I didn't want to be the one to say that.....

 

I agree that is probably it's real market value.

 

We've done quite a lot of stainless steel TIG welding on aluminium skinned tables recently. It works really well to suck the heat away and doesn't mark the finish.

Not ideal if you're doing mild steel MIG though.

 

One of my rolling welding tables is 1/4" aluminum on top. I use it exclusively for Tig welding and brazing. I didn't build it for that but it works well. The only scars it has is from a quick stick welding project that put a few stickers in it.

 

''I like the idea of making one at some point. I have a 1/4" thick by 24" square-topped, 43-1/2" high, all-metal table on wheels that was given to me I could use in the meantime and see how I like it, what works and what doesn't. I may convert that into a welding cart.''

IF you decide to make your own, 1/2'' thick plate would be my choice. It should cover just about everything for hobby use.
Mine is 1 and 1/8'' thick but I have used it for some heavy stuff. I have a one ton electric chain fall on a trolley to help with heavy stuff.