Welding Table build

I been building a welding table for awhile now. The lower section is done and i'll be starting on the top once i go get more steel. I dont have a bunch of pics of what i got done so far but i got enough to make a build.

I wanted a good sturdy welding table that had a sectional top that didnt need holes drilled in it for clamps. So i did a search online and came across one that used c-channel as a top surface. So thats what ill base my top off of.
The other stipulations were lenght between 60 and 72in long, top 32in wide with 4in overhang on front and back side. Height had to work at a comfortable sitting position.
So i went to the metal supplier and picked up the steel for the lower frame work.
2x4x.125wall rect tube
1.250 x 1.250 x .250 angle iron
1 x 2 x .125 rect tube
2.500 x .187 square tube
6In std weight c-channel
.125 thick tread plate

This is some of the metal from above list


Upper framework welded


Welding legs on


Setting in lower shelf (table is upside down on the cart)


Lower shelf in and sitting upright


Lower shelf covered and now your up to date.

Looks good. Very intricate design

I like how the bottom shelf is angled in for foot space. I bought some Edsal table legs to make new benches, going to use 2x4s I got from work for free as a new wall length bench. THought of laying some 1/4" plate across the top so I can weld on it too. Cant wait to see how your channel top works out.

That is super nice!  Nice and sturdy looking. Bet it weighs a ton. Excellent!

Nice deal. What do they use for a top piece? Do people use stainless or something so weld splatter doesn't stick?

Thanks guys

Doug- I'd put a pc of plate steel on top of your work bench or i'd have a manageable pc laying around that you can throw up there when you need to weld something. You get that work bench built post some pics up, i enjoy looking at home built shop stuff.

Mightyraze-  I'd guess around 300 lbs so far as it sits. When finished Im taking it to work and weighing it.

Mr.modified- they use anything flat for a top its really personal preference. I am going with steel c-channel. Weld splatter usually knocks right off with a scrapper and if it dosen't then a flap disk takes care of it.
I also picked a steel top over a aluminum or stainless top for these other reasons
1. I can weld to it if need be
2. Can use welding magnets on it
3. It can take more abuse (than alum).

Stainless will also run a small fortune.

I definitely plan on taking pics or video when I construct mine. I should take my current welding table and weigh it. It probably weighs at least 500lb.

I didn't even think about welding magnets not sticking to stainless. Looks pretty neat though. I need to build one. Usually I'm kneeling on the floor bent over an old metal crate.

Very nice table! I've been wanting to build a nice welding table for awhile but have not gotten going on plans yet.

Went today and bought a full sheet of 3/16 thick steel plate. Then took it to work and sheared some strips off for boxing in the c-channel on the bottom side.

Here is all the cut pcs at home with one placed on the c-channel ready for welding. I am going to cut the sides of the channel at a 45.

Did some corner notchin this past week. Measured in 2in on the one end and 2 3/8 on the other, then used an angle grinder with a cutoff wheel.
There are 44 corners total and I've done 15. Might take awhile.

How much does a sheet of 3/16 cost? Iv'e never had the guts to ask at the metal yard lol

The 3/16 plate ran me $135 and that was the cheapest i found it for.  

I got some more work done to this over the past week.
Got all the top c-channel angle cut and got all the strips of plate ground/prepared for welding to the c-channel.

Ouch ! thats some pricey steel, but cheaper than stainless or aluminum i guess. Oooh a TIG machine!

That's so nice. My welding table is a school desk with a metal top attached to it.

My welding table is...... well i just use the concrete floor.

biggasmowers wrote:

My welding table is...... well i just use the concrete floor.

Ditto.

That gives me a good idea for my table, just frame a mold and pour a layer of concrete onto it. Brilliant!

That actually does not sound bad.

It might blow up from heat .

I dont know about that, it would see some heat sure, but not really concentrated, or sustained long enough to make things asplode?


I like the idea of using c channel. If one gets too buggard up knock it out and drop in a new one.
Like to build one someday, I was thinking using angle iron sorta like /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ then I could have a 1/4in plate that could be man handled on top if needed.

But man, all those angled cuts??? Thats dedication right there.

{EDIT} Will you be making any sort of uprights to tack stuff to?
At voteck the little tables we had in the booths had some uprights to tack stuff to for uphill, or overhead welding. Also, a chunk of bar stock off the side to hand the stinger on was nice.

If I were to do it I would add mesh and steel reinforcement.

Ive seen tables where they have holes lazer cut for pegs or clamps to run through.

With my c-channel top each pc will be removable. Each pc will have a  toggle clamp on the bottom of it flip the handle and remove. So the top can have any arrangement at any given point a time, from solid top to open framework in a minute.

Woah ! That's a very cool design . Not just your run of the mill welding bench.