multi-usage steel table with wheels (need ideas)

those locking casters look like exactly what I need and priced right as well. No need to reinvent the wheel there
 
Rbeckett said:
The heavier and thicker you can make a welding table the better it will perform. Heat has a tendency to warp and bow the top so You want to use as thick a piece of plate as you can afford. The legs should also be of good quality square tube with thick walls and copious cross and under bracing. That way when you are persuading something to line back up with you 8Lb persuader you wont had divots and issues. I also tend to weld jig stops and alignment pieces right to the top and grind them off when I complete the project. I also use a reciever hitch type system for vises, chop saws, Bending bucks and grinders. They are easilly interchangeable and do not encroach on your work space when you really need all you can get. My table top is 4X6x.25 and has 2 inch square x3/16th thick wall legs and 1 inch square lower shelf suppots and cross braces. I had to heat the top to remove a bow but it is tacked down and solid as a rock now. The casters are on one end only and I use a hand truck to lift and drive it around the shop. I dont move it very often though. The shelf is made of expanded metal to allow dust, slag and schmutz to fall through without piling up and making a bigger mess. It's heavy, I would estimate 450-500 pounds and I do move it occasionally when using my 10Lb sledge. Once my top becomes damaged I will grind weld and recover it with a 1/2 plate after I get the bows and divots beaten back out so it is as close to flat as I can make it. I would strongly recomend not trying to go light or cheap on a good welding table, it should last your Grandkids there entire lifetime with no problems.

Bob
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I second your discussion on a table Bob, I built one very similar about twenty years ago and I am still using it today. I however put four casters on, two locking ones and it works well. There is no substitute for mass, only thing is you have to pay for it! I still have the other half of the full sheet of steel I purchased for the top and have yet to find another project for it.

M.L.Woy
 
Bernie, watched video and pretty cool. I think the advantage you have with that is that with casters locked, there's less surface friction than there is with your retractable device (IOW, your device makes more stable).

John, your device looks good.

Bob, do you happen to have a photo of your table?
 
My Table

Diamond plate for the top...wife stores recycling stuff on bottom...what the heck.

Sliders are from a mortuary, supposed to support more than 150 pounds.

Easy for me to put my knees under the table when welding from my chair.

Charl




extended.JPG leg roller.JPG table.JPG
 
SE18 said:
Bernie, watched video and pretty cool. I think the advantage you have with that is that with casters locked, there's less surface friction than there is with your retractable device (IOW, your device makes more stable).

John, your device looks good.

Bob, do you happen to have a photo of your table?
Click to expand...
Unfortunately I dont have a pic but I will try to get out there and snap one or two for ya
Bob
 
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