To buy an overkill Weld/working bench?

[Orangetruckman]

Long video, but you kind of have a head start on the idea if you wanted to implement it.

Basically what I had in mind.

 

[Firstram]

I’ll have to measure the tube thickness and go from there.

That is a well built frame, the tubing thickness doesn't matter with proper triangulation. I would use that table with confidence!

 

[MikeInOr]

I got it home. And to answer that pressing question of whether the perimeter holes fit a beer can. No, it doesn’t fit, though it does a water bottle.
And I was wrong about it not having swivel casters. I was throughly surprised at how well it was able to be moved around. I still feel iffy on the table frame being up to the task. I’ll have to measure the tube thickness and go from there. But it’ mine now and at a final cost of $.21 cents a pound.
Thank you again for everyones input.

That's a darn shame! I wouldn't want to have to be the one to drill those holes out bigger, I would probably just toss it. It was probably made for those stupid metric beer cans!

Very cool work bench... I'm jealous!

 

[mikey]

Good casters aren't cheap. If it doesn't need to move very often, you use 2 heavy fixed wheels in the center and leveling bolts on the 4 corners. Or, if you dare to be different, set up a receiver at the mid point to accept short stub axles. A pair of old car/trailer tires stabbed in and inflated would lift the table and allow you to reposition it for Free.99!

YG YG WA

" It’s the frame plates from a heat exchanger "
Now that you mention it....
We had some large heat exchangers in the brewery, plates very similiar. Was a bit exciting to freeze one up and a seal between the plates pop out. Beer or wort, "everywhere" - was flowing at 600+ bbls per hour, lotta liquid!

Mk

 

[woodchucker]

I got it home. And to answer that pressing question of whether the perimeter holes fit a beer can. No, it doesn’t fit, though it does a water bottle.
And I was wrong about it not having swivel casters. I was throughly surprised at how well it was able to be moved around. I still feel iffy on the table frame being up to the task. I’ll have to measure the tube thickness and go from there. But it’ mine now and at a final cost of $.21 cents a pound.
Thank you again for everyones input.

So I don't think the pieces of iron put in to attach the top and leg are any good. One looks puckered and that means it won't support it fully. If the uprights are good I would replace those with tubing.

 

[a smile]

Howdy all,
I’m look to gather some outside perspective on a welding/working table I found. I have wanted to buy it the moment I saw it, and that’s part of the problem. I’m seeing things one way due to the super cheap price. The price breakdown is about $.24 a pound for those wondering.
I would really appreciate others thoughts on if I’m asking for a big headache with this thing or tell me I’m nutz if I pass it up. The material of the steel plate is unknown and is way overkill at 2 and 3/4” thick and about 33” wide x 86” long and weighs approximately 2,000lbs. The plate was placed on a metal frame table that supports it fine and is about 3ft tall. I’ll post a picture as well.
Now that you know specs about it, let me explain what my uses are and the place it’ll be going. My main use will be for hobby type use welding/fabrication, assembling stuff, and mounting things like a metal shear, bench vise, and possible a 2x72 belt grinder when it’s done (and indoors). For the time being and probably the next 1-2yrs (hope to build a shop area eventually and having the bench indoors then), the table will be located outside on lightly graveled uneven ground, so once it’s on the ground it will be essentially stationary. The owner will load it in my truck with a forklift and I’ll have no issues hauling it home. Unloading will be a cherry picker and chain kind of thing.
So folks, am I asking for more problems than it’s worth? Is there some serious flaws that I’m not seeing because I’m listing about this hunk of steel With the price of steel, finding another suitable table material like a 1/2” plate is out of the question and doesn’t make sense for the $$ they want for even half a 4x8 sheet. At this price point, I’m struggling to see past this as a cheap supply of steel if nothing else. Thank you in advance to all that provide input, pro or con.
View attachment 463449

Please don't struggle, pay the dollar decisively. This is a very valuable steel plate, no matter how you use it, it will give you unexpected surprises. The notch around the perimeter will allow the Seongbei installation to add a convenient shape for use in the future.

 

[Orangetruckman]

So I don't think the pieces of iron put in to attach the top and leg are any good. One looks puckered and that means it won't support it fully. If the uprights are good I would replace those with tubing.

Yeah, the supports going to the top rail are 3 sided and 2 have “dings” in them. After looking at Rouge Fabrications tubing calculator for tubing strength (estimating). I think I’m going to build a new frame with 3/16 tube just for peace of mind. I‘m not easy on my stuff and really appreciate a good safety margin. I’ll still be $ ahead once it’s done. I was kind of shocked to find out the casters are already 1,000lb rated and under $30! The brand is Service Caster. ordering a new set of those with locks
It recently occurred to me that I could bolt my Atlas/Craftsman lathe to that plate. Bet that’d help with it lack of rigidity.