Welding table build

[Bryan L]

I think that the biggest help for me so far was understanding what I am looking for when setting up my mig. My biggest problem was not having a high enough wire speed. I found my welds improved quite a lot once I figured out how to get the "bacon frying" sound coming from my torch .

What I would love to do is watch a pro control the puddle.

[ROD BURNER]

I would run some 2 x 2 x 1/4 angle on the under side to keep it from warping over the years. About 1 foot apart and around the outside edge if you plan on doing any heating and bending work. in the middle I would lay them so the point goes towards the floor.

[FusionKing]

Ugly welds??? Looks arent everything, I can show you pleanty of guys that weld pretty but there weld quality is horrid (kinda like smearing icing on a cake)

I would rather have ugly welds that hold vesus pretty welds that dont. Welding is a art keep practicing and it will more than likely get smoother. But if it doesnt dont wory about it too much.

There are pleanty of welders out there that there welds arent pretty but the pass XRAY and stress testing with flying colors

I somewhat agree and also wish to encourage the op on the nice table but I run across a lot more ugly welds that are busted and very few good looking ones that need fixing. I don't consider those welds ugly BTW.

I guess maybe nowadays me tho... ugly and purty have become relative

I refer a lot to some folks making "gorilla welds" meaning not anything extra as far as looks goes but obviously strong.
But I am sure most people here know that just flat out sloppy welds won't hold much
Good enough just don't happen at my shop very often but I could still improve on looks a bunch still.

[Bryan L]

Here is a question. When tacking the brackets holding my power bar onto the table legs I had a hard time to say the least.

With thin metal and thick metal how do you get a good tack? I set it up for low heat at first to prevent the thin metal from blowing apart but it was too cold and I got no penetration onto the thicker leg. Then I turned it up and got some stick to the leg but it literally blew a hole into the bracket. I eventually lucked out and got both to stick but I really need to learn how to do it properly.

[Broccoli1]

Here is a question. When tacking the brackets holding my power bar onto the table legs I had a hard time to say the least.

With thin metal and thick metal how do you get a good tack? I set it up for low heat at first to prevent the thin metal from blowing apart but it was too cold and I got no penetration onto the thicker leg. Then I turned it up and got some stick to the leg but it literally blew a hole into the bracket. I eventually lucked out and got both to stick but I really need to learn how to do it properly.

That's about it- you just have to find the happy medium. Start on the thicker material and then wash over to the thin stock.

Brackets like this don't need a lot of penetration- just enough to hold it on there.

[Bert]

Im jealous. Even your wooden welding table is better than the one Ive got. Oh thats right Im still kneeling on the concrete to do my stuff.

You're in Hawaii?? I don't remember seeing you in MY garage!!!

[Flyingpig]

You inadvertantly had it displayed in the pics!

OOPS!!! Wrong wooden welding table.

[Johnny]

Here is a question. When tacking the brackets holding my power bar onto the table legs I had a hard time to say the least.

With thin metal and thick metal how do you get a good tack? I set it up for low heat at first to prevent the thin metal from blowing apart but it was too cold and I got no penetration onto the thicker leg. Then I turned it up and got some stick to the leg but it literally blew a hole into the bracket. I eventually lucked out and got both to stick but I really need to learn how to do it properly.

I'd pre-heat the thicker piece, split the difference in heat/speed settings, and do a 60/40 distribution. It depends on the difference in materials.

[FormerTankSarge]

Really nice looking table, should be very sturdy!

[jweller]

Here is a question. When tacking the brackets holding my power bar onto the table legs I had a hard time to say the least.

With thin metal and thick metal how do you get a good tack? I set it up for low heat at first to prevent the thin metal from blowing apart but it was too cold and I got no penetration onto the thicker leg. Then I turned it up and got some stick to the leg but it literally blew a hole into the bracket. I eventually lucked out and got both to stick but I really need to learn how to do it properly.

I try and set it up for maybe 25% less than what I would use for the heavier metal, concentrate the heat on the heavier piece, and then just sort of flip the bead over onto the lighter stuff. Maybe spend 75% of the time on the heavy piece and 25% on the lighter part. that seems to work for me.

[FusionKing]

Here is a question. When tacking the brackets holding my power bar onto the table legs I had a hard time to say the least.

With thin metal and thick metal how do you get a good tack? I set it up for low heat at first to prevent the thin metal from blowing apart but it was too cold and I got no penetration onto the thicker leg. Then I turned it up and got some stick to the leg but it literally blew a hole into the bracket. I eventually lucked out and got both to stick but I really need to learn how to do it properly.

Myself I leave it set hot enuff for the thicker stuff. I concentrate the start on the thick material and merge over to the thin and when I see it "wet in" I stop. Then I'll use both hands and if needed add a few more tacks to heat sink the thin piece so I can lay a nice hot bead without burning away the corners in the process. It is acquired and takes practice. Where a pro would have a welder set would be very difficult at best for a newbie. Just remember more tacks transfers the heat out of the thin part. HTH
I like your table so much I may just about copy it. What I have now isn't really working all that great these days and I have enuff junk laying around to make almost exactly what you have built. Only change would be 3/8ths top and 2 1/2" legs 'cause I have that already. I also have the wheels and the angle. now I have the vision also ...thanks
The bad part about welding for a living is getting motivated to do something for yourself becomes increasingly harder the longer you go...sorta like a carpenter's house or a mechanics car

[mitchell beri]

Really nice looking table, should be very sturdy!

X2! Looks good!!!

[turbo38t]

Hmmm....interesting comment.....what is a "pretty" weld? I can look at welds that some would call pretty and tell you right away what is wrong with them. It's easy to see fusion/burn in in a weld. Cold lap is the quickest giveaway that it's a "pretty" weld.....but an experienced guy should be able to tell. Also, I have since passed a vertical up test with .035 on 3/8" plate welding downhill. Lot of guys on hear say it can't be done over 1/4" but test proves it. It's all in puddle control , speed and knowledge. Dave

Ugly welds??? Looks arent everything, I can show you pleanty of guys that weld pretty but there weld quality is horrid (kinda like smearing icing on a cake)

I would rather have ugly welds that hold vesus pretty welds that dont. Welding is a art keep practicing and it will more than likely get smoother. But if it doesnt dont wory about it too much.

There are pleanty of welders out there that there welds arent pretty but the pass XRAY and stress testing with flying colors

[Bert]

....sorta like a carpenter's house or a mechanics car

LOL!!! you're showing your age with a quote like that!!!
I tell the young guys that, and they look at me in awe how I knew stuff like that or how many people I know, to know that stuff!!!
1) The Maid had the messiest house
2) The Carpenter's house always needs fixing
3) The Mechanics car is always breaking down...
he he he......

[FusionKing]

LOL!!! you're showing your age with a quote like that!!!
I tell the young guys that, and they look at me in awe how I knew stuff like that or how many people I know, to know that stuff!!!
1) The Maid had the messiest house
2) The Carpenter's house always needs fixing
3) The Mechanics car is always breaking down...
he he he......

Yep and the welders things are nothing but a pile of metal