How to Build a Welding Table

Welding can be a hazardous undertaking without the proper equipment and preparation. Finding a workspace that can withstand the high heat of welding is not a simple thing. Most people that do much welding make their own work table. These tables are made of steel plate and can weigh between 300 and 400 lbs. This provides a large heat sink to absorb the heat generated in welding.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2-by-2-by-1/8-inch square steel tubing
• 4-by-4-by-1/4-inch square steel plate
• 2 4-by-6 foot by 3/8-inch steel plate
• Drill, HSS drill bits to fit casters
• 4 casters with weight capacity of 1,000 lbs.

1. Cut the 2-by 2-inch square tubing to make two 4-by-6-foot frames to form the top and bottom of the table. These will support the steel plates that will give the table its stability. You can either make the frames a bit smaller in both dimensions or cut your steel plates a bit larger, but you need a small lip to overhang all the way around the table.

2. Make four leg pieces of the same square tubing. Mount the leg pieces at the four corners. You should also consider putting a central support between the top and bottom frames. The leg heights will be between 26 and 30 inches.

3. Drill holes in the 4-by-4-inch steel plates to attach the caster wheels. Attach the plates to the bottom of the frame and bolt the caster wheels to the plates. They must have a weight capacity of 1,000 lbs.

4. Bolt down the bottom plate to the frame. This may require drilling holes for the bolts to pass through the plate and attach to the bottom frame. Add the top plate to the table structure and bolt it down.