Hi guys, could use some input from the tig / stainless guys (Hi Paul...!).
A couple of years ago I made some stainless factory tables (shown). Now they want some more, but a lot bigger.
I had the tops laser cut and the edges folded before delivery - so just the short vertical joint at each corner to weld up.
The frame was made of box and I think I used strips of flat bar oriented vertically (like you're cutting a spud with a knife) to support the top in the middle area.
Qs:
1. Is that the easiest way to do the top?
2. Following welding the sheet metal I found it hard to get a nice even uniform finish - what's the easiest/fastest/cheapest way to do that?
3. Is there a better way to construct the support for the sheetmetal parts? The ribs seemed a bit odd, but they had one with a wooden panel underneath (gunked in with sealant) and they said they didn't like it much.
4. Finally, what is the best way to arrange the frame / top - the folded down edge has a radius larger than that of the stock which the frame is made out of - so they don't sit well together - so is it normal to set the frame further inside the edge of the top (which leaves an awkward gap, or not have the top resting nicely on the top of the frame?
I've got a batch to do, so please let me know any tricks / time savers etc I can use.
Ta for input. Al.
A couple of years ago I made some stainless factory tables (shown). Now they want some more, but a lot bigger.
I had the tops laser cut and the edges folded before delivery - so just the short vertical joint at each corner to weld up.
The frame was made of box and I think I used strips of flat bar oriented vertically (like you're cutting a spud with a knife) to support the top in the middle area.
Qs:
1. Is that the easiest way to do the top?
2. Following welding the sheet metal I found it hard to get a nice even uniform finish - what's the easiest/fastest/cheapest way to do that?
3. Is there a better way to construct the support for the sheetmetal parts? The ribs seemed a bit odd, but they had one with a wooden panel underneath (gunked in with sealant) and they said they didn't like it much.
4. Finally, what is the best way to arrange the frame / top - the folded down edge has a radius larger than that of the stock which the frame is made out of - so they don't sit well together - so is it normal to set the frame further inside the edge of the top (which leaves an awkward gap, or not have the top resting nicely on the top of the frame?
I've got a batch to do, so please let me know any tricks / time savers etc I can use.
Ta for input. Al.