Need Some Advice On Welding Table

[IGottaTryIt]

Hello,

I am new to welding and like most, my first project is going to be a cart. However, I have found some really good plans for small work tables and I wanted to find out if I build a work table and make it moveable can I still put my welder on it (Lincoln 135) and connect the work cable ground to the table? Am I running the risk of harming my welder or myself? The thought of the welder sitting on the same surface as the work I am doing bothers me, is this any real conern?

[weld_13]

welcome to the board. i dont think it will harm u by having it within contact of the table but i have heard its bad to have ur welder underneath a work table because iron shavings and stuff from grinding ect. will get into it and ruin it. i had the same idea but was told it was a bad idea .

[MAC702]

Electrically, you are perfectly fine. You're on your own with spatter or gunreach problems, though...

[dabar39]

welding table

I thought of doing the same thing with my first table, but quickly realized the limited gun reach. I built a cart that holds my lincoln 3200 hd and my plasma cutter, added wheels to the table and I just spin the table to reach everything without having to move the project on the table. Just my .02 on how I do it. Dave

[fun4now]

welcome to the site.
i have had my MM135 under my welding table on a few ocations, and my TIG welder TA-185 also. but only for limited amounts of time untill they both got there seperate cart's. as said above electricly you should be fine but!!!!!, as also mentioned there is a lot of small debree in the direct area of the welding table. so it would have a few determaning factors. how large will the welding table be, how solid will it be,will you actualy be hammering on the table, and do you have a cover for the welder??
my table is 3'X5' and 1.25" thick top. so i can hammer on it without transfering much rattle to the welder on the lower shelf. my table also has a closed off end and it against the wall with the other end, so this helps keep down the debree falling on the welder under the table. and i have a cover for all my welders and use them all the time.
reach was not a problem for me when they were under the table but i can see how it could be depending on the table size.
i think for the most part you will be happyer with making a nice cart for the welder. odds are good you will fine the need to use the welder away from the table quite a bit. haveing the welder on a wheeled cart willl be usefull sooner or later, so if you have the room to do so i would make a cart for the welder. you will also likely find ajusting the welder easyer if you can just reach over to your left/right and make a quick ajustment.
i atached a few pic's of my welder & cart, if you do a serch i'm shore you will find many more carts you can use for insperation should you be interested.

[woolecox]

Table Plans

If you have not found it already Miller has some great plans for welding tables on their "project plans" tab. One is small and portable, the other is much bigger and heavier but still has wheels and can be move around the shop if you have a smooth floor.

We have built them both and the big table with the plasma chute is great. Get ready to drop some coin on steel though.

I would definitely build a separate cart or small trailer for my welder.

[tsalagi]

i have my welder on a stand in the center of the shop about 2/3rds back. the remote, or feeder if you like, is on a separate cart with casters. i can reach every corner of the shop.
if your wire spool goes directly inside the machine, then i would say build a cart to drag the machine and bottles arround to where you need them. all wou will have to deal with is the power cable.
the only lincolns i am familiar with are cracker boxes, engine driven and power waves. i don't know how yourse is made but, i'm sure that it is insulated and puting it on the table would be no problem. it's just a hassle to have something in your way while trying to work. if you are like me, i use all four sides of the table rather than keep turning my project.

[fun4now]

i have my plasma cutter on a shelf above my welding table, but it has a 25ft. torch reach, so its able to reach anything in my welding room + most all of the room next to it. all my welders have there own carts be it MIG, TIG, stick, or O/A . only my plasma is mounted fairly non-mobile, but its small enough to lift down and easily caried if needed out of the area.

[wireburner]

I thought of doing the same thing with my first table, but quickly realized the limited gun reach. I built a cart that holds my lincoln 3200 hd and my plasma cutter, added wheels to the table and I just spin the table to reach everything without having to move the project on the table. Just my .02 on how I do it. Dave

you got the same machine as me!?

[IGottaTryIt]

Thanks for all the great advice!!! I believe everyone is right I need to have a separate cart, especially having to deal with the gas tank.

Thanks again!!!