DIY Welding Table
A metal table made for the purpose of welding. It was designed with spaces in between the table top for easy access of a clamp that uses the flat bars as footholds.
With a sizing of 125cm (l) x 75cm (w) x 90cm (h) and four caster wheels with brakes, this table is suitable for accommodating objects of varying sizes. It is also sturdy enough to withstand heavy objects while at the same time remaining movable.
Made and used by The Biji-Biji Initiative.
www.biji-biji.com
Materials
1.5x1.5 inch square hollow mild steel 75cm x 4 pieces
1.5x1.5 inch square hollow mild steel 110cm x 1 piece
2.5x1.5 inch square hollow mild steel 125cm x 4 pieces
2.5x1.5 inch square hollow mild steel 75cm x 4 pieces
2.5x1.5 inch square hollow mild steel 63cm x 1 piece
4 inch 5mm flat bar 75cm x 8 pieces
2 inch caster wheels with breaks x 4 units
For this table, the total number of square hollow metal bars you should have is 14. I chose to use a thicker width to give the table a more sturdy feel. However, thinner bars could be used too to give it a lighter touch depending on how bulky you want the table to be.
As for the flat bar, I chose a 5mm thickness to provide enough strength and support for the objects placed on top.
The size of the caster wheels is also up to the builder as long as it can support the weight of the table. For this, heavy duty caster wheels are recommended.
Tools Required
1. Drop saw
2. Angle grinder and grinding disks
3. Welding machine
4.Spirit levels
5. Set square
6. Paint and paint brushes
Preparation
1. Cut the 2.5x1.5 inch square hollow metal bars into 45 degree cuts on both sides using the drop saw. Do this for all the 125cm and 75cm bars. You will have a total of 8 bars cut on both sides.
2. Cut a straight cut for the 2.5x1.5 inch square hollow metal bar of 63cm length.
3. Cut straight cuts for all the 1.5x1.5 inch square hollow metal bars.
4. Cut straight cuts for all the 4 inch 5mm flat metal bars.
Welding the Frame
1. Align the 45 degree cut 2.5x1.5 inch square hollow metal bars into 2 sets of rectangles with the 125cm bars as the length and 75cm bars as the width. Use the set square to ensure 90 degree corners. Weld and fill in the gaps.
2. On one set of the rectangle, add the 63cm 2.5x1.5 inch square hollow metal bar vertically in the middle for added support of the structure. Use a spirit level to ensure that the surface is flat before welding. This rectangle will be the bottom piece of the table.
3. Set a 75cm 1.5x1.5 inch square hollow metal bar on each corner of the rectangle from the previous step. Use spirit levels to ensure that the bar is leveled before welding, as shown in the picture.
4. Add the second rectangle on top of the structure from the previous step and fully weld them together.
5. Flip the structure with the bottom facing upwards and place the caster wheels on each corner of the bottom. Weld them in place. It should look like as shown in the picture.
6. Again, add the 110cm 2.5x1.5 inch square hollow metal bar horizontally in the middle of the top rectangle piece as shown in the picture and weld it in place. Make sure that it is leveled with the top frame as this is where the flat metal bars will be placed and resting on.
Welding the Flat Bars
1. Place all the 4 inch 5mm flat metal bars in position as shown in the picture. Space them out evenly and make sure a clamp can easily access through the gaps. In my case, they had a spacing of about 6cm in between each bar.
2. When you are happy with the placing, start by tack welding the center part of the flat bars first. After this, move on to tack welding the sides of the flat bar to the frame systematically. This is to prevent uneven warping of the metal.
3. After that, fully weld the flat metal bars to the frame structure following the same sequence to prevent warping.
4. Finally, grind off all sharp edges using an angle grinder with a grinding disk to give it a smooth finish. Your table should now look something like the picture above.
Finishing
To complete your table, you can choose to paint it with the color of choice that suits your workshop. Further modifications are possible where needed such as adding handles for easy maneuvering, or adding a piece of plywood to cover the bottom the table which can also act as a place to store items.
Congratulations! Your welding table is now complete and ready to take on your everyday welding jobs.
Thank you for checking out this instructable. For more cool builds and installations, drop by our website www.biji-biji.com or shoot us an email at share@biji-biji.com if you have any inquiries.
We are an open source social enterprise based in Malaysia that champions environmental sustainability. We incorporate the upcycling of waste materials into our designs in hopes of inspiring others to adopt this movement.
The Biji-Biji Initiative - We make things. Saving our environment one build at a time.