Hi folks, I've been a woodworker for over 20 years and recently caught the bug of metalworking. I've got a MIG welder and Plasma cutter now and decided it was time to build a decent welding table/fabrication table. I though I'd share my progress so far in pictures.
Here I'm starting the top of the frame jigging up a corner:
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Here's the top tack welded together. The frame is made from 3x2 11 Ga. rectangular tubing A36 steel.
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Here's a leg jigged up with 2-90 degree fixtures to insure plumb.
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Casters I'm using. 1000 lbs capacity per caster. They roll very nicely.
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Finished frame. It's 1/16 out of square measured diagonally on the top. I'll take that accuracy especially being a novice welder. The top will be a 48x76 piece of 1/2" plate with a 3" overhang on the sides and 5" on the ends and the shelf below will be a sheet of 11 ga for tool storage, etc. It's height will be 36" and will have screw down feet on each corner.
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For woodworking I'm going to keep a sheet of 1/2 cabinet ply to put on top of the steel top to protect the wood. It's going to truly be a multipurpose bench and the last one I should have to build. As far as finishing, I'm going to leave the frame natural and just wax it to keep corrosion from setting in. I though about painting it, but it would get nicked here and there and start looking bad after a while.
Opinions on this table? Should I do anything else to make it better?