Welding Table Recommendations

[Bob La Londe]

It really depends on what you want to do. This HF toy might work if you are just doing small projects. Adjustable Steel Welding Table (harborfreight.com)

My son and I built a 3x7 frame with 9 (yes 9 legs) and lever engaged casters and laid a piece of 4x8 1/4 plate on top. The plan is someday to lay out a grid of holes for dog hardware, but we are always busy. So far our loose top (hasn't moved yet) home made welding table has been just fine. 1000% better than working on the floor.

I was proud of us. I laid out the plan for the frame including all the braces, and my son ran the 2x2x1/8 stock through the bandsaw. Then the two of us tacked it all together top down. Finally we took turns welding it out with two welders. The Miller 212 and the Lincoln Pro Core. Vertical welds were definitely easier with the ProCore. Horizontal were prettier with the 212. We welded out the whole thing and only one (1) tack popped and only as we were reaching the end of the weld out. After we finished the frame and flipped it top side up all nine legs actually touched the floor. We added leveling feet anyway.

Its a huge monolithic obstruction in the back shop that constantly suffers from HSD, but an inoculation of trash can usually cures that when we need it. When we started doing a little forging it made a great place to set the little propane forge that wouldn't catch fire. Now there are two anvils also creating an obstruction back there. LOL.

[epicfail48]

Alright, finally came to a decision; drew up plans for a 3/8" thick top with a grid pattern of holes, sent it over to my local place to get a quote to have it either water or laser cut out of cold rolled. If that comes out to be cheaper than the certiflat, thats the route ill go, otherwise, certiflat it is. Now we wait

[epicfail48]

Whelp, local place wants about $500 for the custom top option, so certiflat it is. Hopefully ill be able to do that somewhat soon, itll be nice to have better fixturing options

[Tungsten dipper]

keep us updated with pictures of the build and let us know how you like it.

[epicfail48]

keep us updated with pictures of the build and let us know how you like it.

Will do! Once i get my hands on it, ill probably start a new thread, just to make it easier for future people to find

[akjeff]

Have been very happy with the Certiflat 24x48. Use lots of clamps, lots of tack welds, and take your time. The degree of precision of the components was pretty darn impressive, and came out extremely flat. Fun to make too.

[repoman]

That's really nice.

I would recommend against the Harbor Freight $70 I have one and would have rather put that money towards some rectangle tubing to build a real table.
The HF one is too small and has awkward slots that tend to encourage features in your parts to drop into them and can be pretty annoying. The legs on that table are also very obnoxious by being in the way of the pedal a lot (if you are TIGing).