Drawing of next project (welding/cutting table)

[Dan]

Originally posted by Rocky D


Bob, remember, you will be acr or MIG welding at this height, and the sparks will be landing on....well, I guess you know where

34" is a good height, 36" is a bit tall, but do-able, and 32" would be too short. You should be sitting in such a way that your legs are slanted, so the sparks will run off. The table and chair I have previously shown here is for heliarc welding, and for anything else I use the stool. I'm 6'2" and Ilike my work surface to match my height. So it is a personal thing, just how high the table should be. Also, think of your back, too. If you're four feet tall, 26" will work.

36" works for me on TIG, because if I do sit down the chair I use is roughly 26" high to the seat. Bob this would put me sitting on top of your table . No, Im not 7 ft , only 5' 10".

Bob, you are more daring then I am, you couldn t get me to sit down and MIG weld at a table.

Actually, for most of the MIG welding that I do the projects are so large that a table is useless. Most of my projects are built on some metal support stands that are similar to a saw horse, but they have leveling feet on them so that you can level the stands to one another.

[Guest]

Originally posted by gnewby
...I was also thinking about on the back side of my table welding on a piece of 2" angle iron the length of the table to use as a v- plate or what ever you would want to call it, to use for lining up pieces of pipe or tubing in order to keep them straight while fitting them up. Looking for any input as whether this is a good idea or a dud?

I think you would be better not to weld it to your bench, but make it so you can manuver it around on your table, which will enable you to move your weldment into a comfortable position. I too the angle iron and welded a plate the same width of the iron to clamp to like this: V

I have two of them (1 1/4" x 1 1/4" x 3/16" x 8"angle) for adding pieces to pipe handrails, and stuff. I also have a machined one that has it's own clamps to align bolts and small tubing. Real handy.

[gnewby]

Rocky D Thanks for the advice. I didn't know how handy or how much it might hamper me to have it welded right to the bench. I earlier said the backside of my bench, but actually my bench would not sit up against any wall as it would sit out where I will have full access all the way around the outside of it. I had seen a few welding trucks that had a v-trough incorporated into the bed of them, so had just been kicking around on the idea of attaching one to the bench. I have made a couple of short pieces aprox. 12" or so long out of angle iron and mounted them to short pieces of flat plate like some I believe that you had shown in an earlier discussion. They have came in real handy, I may make a longer one so I could have more stability with longer pieces of pipe or tubing. Thanks again for your advice.

[Guest]

Re: Re: cutting table

Originally posted by deere_x475guy


Cope, I plan on building a box to sit under the cutting grates. This should contain the flame and sparks (I hope)...

Thanks...Bob

I found this design in my travels, so I drew a picture of it, and I hope it makes sense...the drawing is of a section of the edge of a cutting table, looking down on it...the slats are 1" x 1/8" stainless is best, but steel, even aluminum will work. They are comsumable...as you cut on them they erode, but are useable for quite some time. So as they erode, you just cut another piece of flat bar and replace them! I didn't draw the dimension of the little angle clips, but you can figger it out.

[Guest]

OOpps! forgot to post the picture...


I just looked at it, and remember the slats just drop in, and are not welded....and they are 1" on center.

[deere_x475guy]

Originally posted by Rocky D
OOpps! forgot to post the picture...

Great tip Rocky thanks. I will consider doing this when I get to that point. Today Will was over and we got the table pretty much built. I have to add the lower horizontal pieces yet and get the material for the welding top then get to the cutting grate.

Thanks
Bob

P.S. pics to the project so far are posted farther down in this thread

[deere_x475guy]

Basic top outside frame

Here is the top piece layed and welded.

[deere_x475guy]

coped horizontat center piece

I tried to take a shot so that it showed the coping. (could be a better shot I know)

[deere_x475guy]

The Top done

The top is now ready for the legs

[deere_x475guy]

jigging for square legs

on the left side of the leg we used a 90 degree jig I welded on Friday. for the ritht side we just used clamps and a square to make things work.

[deere_x475guy]

Top with legs

Here is the top with the legs all nice and square. The top came out dead on at exactly 36 and 3/4 corner to corner. (Boy did we get lucky)

On another note I did decide to go 34" for the legs. Once I get the adjustable ends on it will be close to 34 1/2". After talking with Will about the top I am going with 1/4" welding top and a brace will be added to the center. I think I will use Rocky's idea for the grates (see his post farther up the thread).

Another change from the drawings is the way the legs were attached to the top. I decided to butt weld the legs on. Going outside of the top was going to be a pain to get the angle square to the side. This was they come out great. I will be changing the drawings as soon as I get time to reflect this and replace the drawings that are already at the beginning of this thread.

Will, thanks again for all the help today. I sure did enjoy the great ideas and company.

Have fun all

Bob

[Guest]

Re: Top with legs

Originally posted by deere_x475guy
Here is the top with the legs all nice and square. The top came out dead on at exactly 36 and 3/4 corner to corner. (Boy did we get lucky)

I'd strongly suggest to gusset the legs to the top, with 4" x 4" gussets...you need 8 of them. Goes together rather quickly, doesn't it?

[deere_x475guy]

Re: Re: Top with legs

Originally posted by Rocky D


I'd strongly suggest to gusset the legs to the top, with 4" x 4" gussets...you need 8 of them. Goes together rather quickly, doesn't it?

Yes Rocky it does. The hep Will gave me made things much eaisier. And yes I was out admiring the work just a few minutes ago and realized that I should do the gussets on the legs. Thanks..

Bob

[Will]

It did go pretty well today. Bob had most of the steel already cut, so we just squared things up and welded away! Another welding session should finish up the top and lower shelf. I like your idea on the cutting area Rocky D. The slats would be quick and easy to replace, AND you can turn them over and use the other edge as well.

[deere_x475guy]

updated plans

Ok...did the changes to the plans. More to be made as I decide on other mods (handles and such). I will also add a bill of materials and approximate cost when I get time.

http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/showthread.php?s=&postid=3940#post3940

Having a ball

Bob