Project 2 from agent4573. Category: Welding Table

[agent4573]

Since I got some awesome X-mas presents I figured it was time to make myself somewhere nice to weld. I have a few wooden work benches in the garage, but I only have a small 12"x24" plate to weld on. Went to the metal supply store today and spent 62 dollars for 2 20' lengths of 1x1x.095 square tubing and a precut piece of 14 gauge steel that was 33.5"x44". I figured that was close enough to what I wanted that I wouldn't even have to cut it. I had to stop for the night because my eyes are getting tired and once they get tired I go cross-eyed and can't judge depth anymore.

Raw Materials: They cut the 20' lengths in half for me for free, just to make it easier for me to get home.


This was my setup for cutting the lengths I need. I used a harbor freight portable bandsaw that someone gave to me a few years ago. I ordered 3 brand new blades for it during my last order, and with a new blade on there, it cut through this tube like butter.


This is everything cut to length and layed out to make sure it fits. The four tubes up top are my legs. I ended up cutting two of the tubes to 41.5" instead of 44.5" like I was supposed to. Luckily I always cut the longest pieces first and I realized this before I cut the shorter ones. I just hacked them down to 31.5" and used them as the middle of the table supports, only wasted about 2 feet of material, but I'll turn those into gussets tomorrow.


Squared up and ready to tack together.


My first welds on the project. 1/16 gold tungsten, 1/16 general purpose filler, #5 cup, 95 amps using the torch switch.


My best attempt at trying to square up the legs. Do they sell 3-way clamps to make this easier?


I had some 1" stock laying around so I cut 4 pieces and drilled them out. Got one nut tacked onto the leg before my eyes went stupid. Going to put a bolt there here with a lock nut on it, that way I can easily level the table and accomodate my uneven garage floor.


This is the how the table stands right now.


Tomorrow I'm going to cut some 45 degree gussets for the legs and add some various other odds and ends that I won't devulge until I'm done. I debated putting a full frame around the middle of the legs, but I need the storage space underneath and don't want to fight a bar that limits access. The 45 degree gussets won't be as strong, but will work fine.