Author Topic: Workshop addition - 1" thick welding/work table  (Read 6834 times)

Offline Joco

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Workshop addition - 1" thick welding/work table
« on: April 13, 2019, 09:49:08 AM »
The welding/work table build is well underway.  It started with getting a 25mm thick section of 250 grade plate steel. Its rough dimensions should allow around 900mm x 1600mm after cleaning up the edges.



As you can see there are some old welds on this side that need to be cut and ground out.  A 230mm angle grinder with cutting wheel made short work of them.


All cleaned up and ready to tackle the edges


First cut made with 100amp plasma cutter.  Way cool fun! But 900mm long cut took some time to get through.


Finished up the two long runs of 1600mm each.


Now for the legs.  These are the blanks, 100mm box section with 6mm walls.


The mounting pads for the castors. 130mm square by 12mm thick mild steel.


TIG welded to the base of the legs. Put on the angle so that the bolts do not interfere with the leg walls.


Making the sub frame for table.  This is the first the "H" ends.


The final assembly of the subframe clamped up and ready for welding.


Next stop will be top.  At 300KG thats going to be entertaining.  Will post pics when done.

Cheers,
James.
James
Wellington - NZ

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Re: Workshop addition - 1" thick welding/work table
« Reply #1 on: April 13, 2019, 09:55:27 AM »
Hello James

Not even an earthquake will shift that table

Mike
It is the journey that matters, not the destination

Sometimes, it can be a long and winding road

Offline Steamer5

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Re: Workshop addition - 1" thick welding/work table
« Reply #2 on: April 13, 2019, 10:33:07 AM »
Hi James,
 I agree with Mike.
 "Drop Cover & Hold" earthquake will be no problem, hope the wheels lock!
That's a serious welding table, should last several lifetimes

Cheers Kerrin
Get excited and make something!

Offline Joco

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Re: Workshop addition - 1" thick welding/work table
« Reply #3 on: April 13, 2019, 10:56:45 AM »
Here are the castors I'm using.  300KG rated each and locking. Given the weight on things I'm not expecting too much movement.  But if I need to add some M20 all thread retractable feet I can look into that.

James
Wellington - NZ

Offline kvom

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Re: Workshop addition - 1" thick welding/work table
« Reply #4 on: April 13, 2019, 01:16:50 PM »
Might be easier to move it with a pallet jack after it's complete.

Offline b.lindsey

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Re: Workshop addition - 1" thick welding/work table
« Reply #5 on: April 13, 2019, 01:54:38 PM »
That is some fine looking work James. Hope you have multiple helpers to get the top in place (or an overhead crane)!!

Bill

Offline AJW

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Re: Workshop addition - 1" thick welding/work table
« Reply #6 on: April 13, 2019, 05:14:34 PM »
Definitely describe that as sturdy!

Alan

Offline Joco

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Re: Workshop addition - 1" thick welding/work table
« Reply #7 on: April 14, 2019, 01:04:38 AM »
Bill - using the forklift is the plan to get things moved etc for final welding of plate onto frame then completed table into a trailer.  Then I have a ratchet line and boards to control getting off the trailer.

Just now finishing up the final welds on the frame then some lunch then onto getting the top and frame into position for welding together.

Cheers,
J.
James
Wellington - NZ

Online Jo

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Re: Workshop addition - 1" thick welding/work table
« Reply #8 on: April 14, 2019, 07:57:56 AM »
That will act as a good heat sink when welding  :)

I hope you have a very smooth floor to allow you to roll it around.

Jo
Enjoyment is more important than achievement.

Offline Joco

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Re: Workshop addition - 1" thick welding/work table
« Reply #9 on: April 14, 2019, 09:48:53 AM »
The welding/work table continues.  Today was D-Day. I was GOING to get this thing finished enough so I could get it home and into the garage.

First off is getting the plate on the welding table.  Having fun today with the forklift.


The placing the stand frame on to it. I did some math and based on the amount of steel in the frame its around 70 to 75 KG. Using the forklift to place this sucker was a much better approach.  Still quite impressed I got this placed with minimal repositions.


Back into the neighbours workshop and everything is tacked up ready for final welding.  Loving using the 350AMP MIG.


And finally at home.  Was a little bit of a mission getting this off the trailer.  370KG of table being controlled via chain ratchets coming off a tipping trailer was a little stressful. Things still to do include: get rid of all the plasma dross, paint all surfaces with rust neutraliser, a bit of grinding cleanup on the edges, 16mm hole pattern over 1/2 the table, probably using a 150mm hole pattern, some under table storage for clamps, angle grinders and maybe some machine tool storage drawers. Also want to mount a solid vice on an end.


James
Wellington - NZ

Offline b.lindsey

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Re: Workshop addition - 1" thick welding/work table
« Reply #10 on: April 14, 2019, 01:46:16 PM »
Now THAT is  welding table!!  Nicely done James.

Bill

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Re: Workshop addition - 1" thick welding/work table
« Reply #11 on: April 14, 2019, 02:11:29 PM »
Hello James,

You built a very impressive welding table there.

I can see the Machine Shop Rates poster on the wall but cannot read what the rates are.

I saw similar information on the wall of a local repair shop, it read

Repairs While you Wait        £10 per hour.
Repairs While you Watch     £20 per hour
Repairs While you Advise    £30 per hour
Repairs While you Help       £40 per hour

Mike

It is the journey that matters, not the destination

Sometimes, it can be a long and winding road

Offline Joco

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Re: Workshop addition - 1" thick welding/work table
« Reply #12 on: April 15, 2019, 08:33:27 AM »
Mike - love the rates sign.   :Jester:
James
Wellington - NZ

Offline bent

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Re: Workshop addition - 1" thick welding/work table
« Reply #13 on: April 15, 2019, 05:25:18 PM »
I like it Joco!

One thing I would do (being the clumsy type at times) is knock off the outside corners on the table leg feet, so that my shins just get bruised and not gouged when I bang them against it.  ::)

Offline Joco

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Re: Workshop addition - 1" thick welding/work table
« Reply #14 on: April 15, 2019, 08:01:25 PM »
I like it Joco!

One thing I would do (being the clumsy type at times) is knock off the outside corners on the table leg feet, so that my shins just get bruised and not gouged when I bang them against it.  ::)

Bent - Its early days but so far my hip hits the table edge before feet get near the foot plate. Having said that you do make a good point.  I might be able to round the corners a little more to conform to the outer radius of the castor mounting plates.

With Easter and ANZAC holidays starting frm this Thursday I’m hoping for some fine weather so I get the table on to the drive way for some grinding, sanding and general clean up.  The plasma cut edges need a clean up, the sharp plate edges need a slight radius and I would like to reduce the level of surface rust down a bit.

I do have a question for the group re the surface rust.  Im in two minds here.
[1] I can see value in keeping light surface rust. It acts like a blackboard surface and makes soap stone markings really easy to see.  It will also help stop BBs from MIG and Stick welding  from sticking.
[2] Having a nice shiny surface will look good, be clean for aluminium welding, allow use of coloured markers instead of soap stone.  But will obviously need  periodic rust clean up attention with some scotch bright. To get this clean surface is going to involve a LOT of cleaning.  Probably a mix of chemical and mechanical cleaning approaches. 

Any views on the better path to follow?
James
Wellington - NZ

 

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