welding bench

[Spark plug]

I'm in the process of macking a welding bench, the plan is for a 8" x 4" table top stood on 2 trassles so that I can move it when not in use.

Will this work ok? What would be the best way to build the top, a 6mm plate with a 2" x 2" box frame, just wondering about heat distortion etc.

 

[Ragnarok]

sounds like it'd work, it's going to be very heavy to be moving around though an 8x4' (I assume you mean foot not inch ) 6mm plate is about 140kg plus the support frame under it, the surface is gunna end up at at least 160-180kg.

 

[Ragnarok]

just did a quick calculation, if you did it the same way as the frame on my bench which is 4x3', a rectangle frame with a cross in the middle to keep it flat, the frame under the table would weigh 45kg made from 2x2" 2.5mm wall box, and the surface being 140kg is 185kg, make sure your trestles are up to it and you have an engine crane around for getting the surface on and off them

 

[Spark plug]

The tractor will be moveing the top. What would you recommend the tresles bemade from? I have a full length of 3" angel doing nowt.

Yes I ment 8 x 4 foot oops

 

[Ragnarok]

if i was making trestles for that i'd probably go with 2" or 2.5" square box 3mm wall and 10mm plate for the hinge, then make a cross piece bolt in to stop them spreading, so that they can be folded up but bolted solidly when in use, and sort out someway for the surface to be secured to them so it can't move around.

 

[Spark plug]

I have a pile of second hand 2" box that would do it I'm not concernd them folding as Ile just chuck them outside when not in use

 

[Ragnarok]

easy build then

 

[Spark plug]

Just need to go steel shopping for the top now I have a plan sorted

 

[mwi]

Hi there Would it not be an option to leave the top on and fit wheels to the trestles so u can wheel it out of the way when not in use, save u lifting top on and off all the time.martyn

 

[Paul.]

Go in almost any fab shop and you will find trestles similar to the ones below, these particular ones were made for a specific job, (to carry a jig for building fire engine ladders ), they are fitted with wheels inside the channel and adjustable feet,

 

[Spark plug]

Hi there Would it not be an option to leave the top on and fit wheels to the trestles so u can wheel it out of the way when not in use, save u lifting top on and off all the time.martyn

No, not really as I want to stand the top up against the wall if I need to get a vehicle, trailer, tractor or whatever in the garage.

 

[Andy from Workshopshed]

sounds like it'd work, it's going to be very heavy to be moving around though an 8x4' (I assume you mean foot not inch ) 6mm plate is about 140kg plus the support frame under it, the surface is gunna end up at at least 160-180kg.

I have thought about building a little 12inch by 8inch table to put on my bench. I'd have to knock the side out the shed to get a 8 foot one in!

 

[Ragnarok]

i built my bench in my workshop it's only 3ft x 4ft but i couldn't get it in or out now that it's built haha, i'm gunna have to chop the frame off when i eventually move workshops!

 

[ChrisJohnsSculpture]

Personally for a 4" by 8" bench I would be tempted to build it as a skeleton frame with the facility to drop in smaller sections of plate as needed. This will make it much easier to take apart of you need to and also to swap out individual plate if (when) they get a bit knackered. You can also make semi-disposable sections from angle to use for plasma/gas cutting if required which can also be used for messier jobs where you don't need a dead flat surface to save getting spatter all over your nice flat plates.

I'm also a big fan of putting as much stuff as possible on wheels. This make things a lot more flexible, for example the bench can live against one wall most of the time or you can pull it out if you need to work on something massive and be able to walk all the way round it.

 

[ChrisJohnsSculpture]

I have thought about building a little 12inch by 8inch table to put on my bench. I'd have to knock the side out the shed to get a 8 foot one in!

I've got a little bench about 2" square which is very useful indeed. It functions as a welding/plasma cutting table for small jobs and a stand for grinder, polisher, chop saw etc and has holes to bolt on a bench vice...I tend to mount all my bench machines on squares of 18mm ply so I can stash them away and clamp them down wherever is convenient. It's on wheels so I can move it to the job or out of the way or just to an unoccupied corner if the workshop is busy.

 

[Ragnarok]

I've got a little bench about 2" square which is very useful indeed. It functions as a welding/plasma cutting table for small jobs and a stand for grinder, polisher, chop saw etc and has holes to bolt on a bench vice...I tend to mount all my bench machines on squares of 18mm ply so I can stash them away and clamp them down wherever is convenient. It's on wheels so I can move it to the job or out of the way or just to an unoccupied corner if the workshop is busy.

wow 2" square? do you make jewellery with a plasma cutter?

 

[brightspark]

wow 2" square? do you make jewellery with a plasma cutter?

hese a model maker

 

[ChrisJohnsSculpture]

wow 2" square? do you make jewellery with a plasma cutter?

ha-ha... sorry that should be 2 foot square...I really should stick to metric :P

But yes I do sometimes make jewelery with a plasma cutter

 

[Ragnarok]

in metric it would be worse, 2" 2' imperial, 0.6mm 0.6m. hahaha

 

[Andy from Workshopshed]

2in square would be large enough for some of my projects, but I don't normally weld stuff that small, resorting to silver solder and soft soldering instead.