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Welding Bench (Welding/Metal Working Cross Post) - Tool Gloat
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Bob La Londe
Feb 6, 2012, 2:06:03 PM2/6/12
to
Ok... its not perfect, and at first I didn't want it, but...
A friend is moving across country, and was emptying his garage. He told me
to come over and get anything I wanted out of what he was leaving behind. I
got some cool old style flip top metal gas cans, A faucet tap kerosene can,
a huge metal funnel, couple tow bars that I will salvage the trailer coupler
off of, some fence top rail and fence hardware and a big work bench.
Actually all I wanted off the work bench was the vise bolted to one end.
Its an old Columbian vise Made in USA. Over the years we have used it for
many projects at his house, and while I have broken cheaper cast ones when
pounding on something with a 4 pound hammer, or using a cheater bar on the
handle this one has never even deflected noticeably that I recall. My buddy
told me if I take the vise I have to take the bench and all the storage
boxes on the shelves under it. I almost left it, but then I saw all the
wire brushes in the drawers, and all the handy looking v-belt pulleys
filling one of the larger drawers. I went home and got my trailer. LOL.
Yeah I hauled off a lot of junk to sort through that wouldn't go in his
dumpster and will wind up in mine, but I think its worth it.
While we were loading the bench I realize the top is a solid piece of 1/4"
steel supported by heavy angle iron. (It took every bit of four of us to
load it on the trailer.) I think I just got a new (to me) welding bench.
Yeah it won't be good for butt welding, but for everything else, or for
working with small hard to clamp to pieces this could be just the ticket.
Never having had a welding bench before (and having welded on the floor many
times) I wonder if there is anything I need to do other than add a ground
lug/stud for the welder lead?
Table:
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/5078/tablewr.jpg
Vise:
http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/5716/visew.jpg
A friend is moving across country, and was emptying his garage. He told me
to come over and get anything I wanted out of what he was leaving behind. I
got some cool old style flip top metal gas cans, A faucet tap kerosene can,
a huge metal funnel, couple tow bars that I will salvage the trailer coupler
off of, some fence top rail and fence hardware and a big work bench.
Actually all I wanted off the work bench was the vise bolted to one end.
Its an old Columbian vise Made in USA. Over the years we have used it for
many projects at his house, and while I have broken cheaper cast ones when
pounding on something with a 4 pound hammer, or using a cheater bar on the
handle this one has never even deflected noticeably that I recall. My buddy
told me if I take the vise I have to take the bench and all the storage
boxes on the shelves under it. I almost left it, but then I saw all the
wire brushes in the drawers, and all the handy looking v-belt pulleys
filling one of the larger drawers. I went home and got my trailer. LOL.
Yeah I hauled off a lot of junk to sort through that wouldn't go in his
dumpster and will wind up in mine, but I think its worth it.
While we were loading the bench I realize the top is a solid piece of 1/4"
steel supported by heavy angle iron. (It took every bit of four of us to
load it on the trailer.) I think I just got a new (to me) welding bench.
Yeah it won't be good for butt welding, but for everything else, or for
working with small hard to clamp to pieces this could be just the ticket.
Never having had a welding bench before (and having welded on the floor many
times) I wonder if there is anything I need to do other than add a ground
lug/stud for the welder lead?
Table:
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/5078/tablewr.jpg
Vise:
http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/5716/visew.jpg
Paul Drahn
Feb 6, 2012, 3:09:56 PM2/6/12
to
start over, again.
The only thing you need to do with the welding table is to make sure the
thing is level with no bumps in the surface. I have welded on a concrete
floor and then discovered it was not all level. Sure you have, also.
Nice haul!!!1
Paul
Existential Angst
Feb 6, 2012, 3:35:19 PM2/6/12
to
"Bob La Londe" <no...@none.com> wrote in message
news:vwVXq.12149$Ep3....@newsfe08.iad...
Good haul.
Why wouldn't it be good for butt welding?
A ground lug is good, but if the legs are metal, the spring clamp that comes
with most welders is good.
A ground clamp is good also for clamping directly to the work, which is
sometimes useful. No reason you can't have both.
I made a serviceable welding table, almost 4x8, from 2x4's, 3/4 ply, covered
in pcs of 1/4 HR, not even screwed
You could make a serviceable welding table from 1/8 HR screwed to 3/4 ply.
The wood underlay makes it quieter, as well, for banging, hammering, etc.
But free and pre-made can't be beat...
--
EA...
>
>
>
news:vwVXq.12149$Ep3....@newsfe08.iad...
Why wouldn't it be good for butt welding?
A ground lug is good, but if the legs are metal, the spring clamp that comes
with most welders is good.
A ground clamp is good also for clamping directly to the work, which is
sometimes useful. No reason you can't have both.
I made a serviceable welding table, almost 4x8, from 2x4's, 3/4 ply, covered
in pcs of 1/4 HR, not even screwed
You could make a serviceable welding table from 1/8 HR screwed to 3/4 ply.
The wood underlay makes it quieter, as well, for banging, hammering, etc.
But free and pre-made can't be beat...
--
EA...
>
>
>
Bob La Londe
Feb 6, 2012, 3:43:00 PM2/6/12
to
"Existential Angst" <fit...@optonline.net> wrote in message
news:4f303987$0$18277$607e...@cv.net...
> A ground lug is good, but if the legs are metal, the spring clamp that
> comes with most welders is good.
using the spring clamp.
> A ground clamp is good also for clamping directly to the work, which is
> sometimes useful. No reason you can't have both.
able to go on the table.
> I made a serviceable welding table, almost 4x8, from 2x4's, 3/4 ply,
> covered in pcs of 1/4 HR, not even screwed
> You could make a serviceable welding table from 1/8 HR screwed to 3/4 ply.
> The wood underlay makes it quieter, as well, for banging, hammering, etc.
>
> But free and pre-made can't be beat...
years too.
Ned Simmons
Feb 6, 2012, 8:01:05 PM2/6/12
to
On Mon, 6 Feb 2012 12:06:03 -0700, "Bob La Londe" <no...@none.com>
wrote:
Here's my free bench. I was at a customer's plant last spring and they
had replaced it with an Acorn table. It's 4x10 and weighs about 1500#.
It's now my fair weather outdoor bench. The wheels are an old trailer
axle that slips under the middle and clamps on so it can roll out of
the way for the winter -- I call it the ATB (all terrain bench). No
free vise though.
http://www.nedsim.com/news/AllTerrainBench01.JPG
--
Ned Simmons
wrote:
had replaced it with an Acorn table. It's 4x10 and weighs about 1500#.
It's now my fair weather outdoor bench. The wheels are an old trailer
axle that slips under the middle and clamps on so it can roll out of
the way for the winter -- I call it the ATB (all terrain bench). No
free vise though.
http://www.nedsim.com/news/AllTerrainBench01.JPG
--
Ned Simmons
Too_Many_Tools
Feb 6, 2012, 8:08:23 PM2/6/12
to
Before you commit the table to welding...check out what it would cost
you to build one.
You may change your mind as material prices make that acquistion worth
some bucks.
TMT
Ignoramus8327
Feb 6, 2012, 8:19:17 PM2/6/12
to
Congrats! Awesome stuff...
i
i
BobH
Feb 6, 2012, 9:56:36 PM2/6/12
to
On 2/6/2012 12:06 PM, Bob La Londe wrote:
> Never having had a welding bench before (and having welded on
> the floor many times) I wonder if there is anything I need to do other
> than add a ground lug/stud for the welder lead?
>
Nice haul! Get a bar stool with wheels. Sitting down while TIG welding
> Never having had a welding bench before (and having welded on
> the floor many times) I wonder if there is anything I need to do other
> than add a ground lug/stud for the welder lead?
>
is a fine way to work.
BobH
Bob La Londe
Feb 6, 2012, 10:07:40 PM2/6/12
to
"Ned Simmons" <ne...@nedsim.com> wrote in message
news:q9t0j7h6qoaamies9...@4ax.com...
I'm gonna have a complex. Your bench is bigger, and your tractor is bigger.
Atleast I got the cool vise. LOL. I've used that vise a lot in the past
nearly 20 years. It sure feels good to have it in my shop now. Ok... its
still sitting on the trailer outside. I have not one, but two mills where I
would like to put that table. I have a refrigerator and a communications
rack where I would like to put the big mill. I need to finish the
communications room to move the rack... Now why did I come on here again?
LOL.
news:q9t0j7h6qoaamies9...@4ax.com...
Atleast I got the cool vise. LOL. I've used that vise a lot in the past
nearly 20 years. It sure feels good to have it in my shop now. Ok... its
still sitting on the trailer outside. I have not one, but two mills where I
would like to put that table. I have a refrigerator and a communications
rack where I would like to put the big mill. I need to finish the
communications room to move the rack... Now why did I come on here again?
LOL.
Steve B
Feb 6, 2012, 10:10:50 PM2/6/12
to
"Bob La Londe" <no...@none.com> wrote in message
news:vwVXq.12149$Ep3....@newsfe08.iad...
and what I build, I like a table made out of angle, four feet wide, with
long pieces at 12" and 18". BUT, you have to add fortification if you want
it flat, and don't want it to flex on big stuff. For some things, a solid
one piece top is the way to go. For building fence, it would not be as
good. There are compromises to everything. I would not worry about a
ground lug, but prefer to ground the workpiece directly, as if you have any
grunge on there, it arcs, giving you a new scar on the work piece. There is
no perfect welding table, only one that is suited to what type of work you
are doing that particular day. As mentioned, do not assume that the table
is flat, nor the concrete it may sit on. Once you get it where it's going,
you might be surprised just how out of whack it is, where you assumed it
would be a flat table on a flat floor.
Steve
Steve
Ned Simmons
Feb 7, 2012, 12:15:57 AM2/7/12
to
On Mon, 6 Feb 2012 20:07:40 -0700, "Bob La Londe" <no...@none.com>
wrote:
>
to drive your bench around the dooryard with the seasons.
The same customer tried to give me a very nice Lucas horizontal boring
mill like this:
http://www.condormachineinc.com/services-offered/rebuilt-machine-examples/lucas-horizontal-mill-3/
But I think they were teasing me -- they knew I'd have to move almost
everything else out of my shop just to get it in the door.
--
Ned Simmons
wrote:
>
>I'm gonna have a complex. Your bench is bigger, and your tractor is bigger.
>Atleast I got the cool vise. LOL. I've used that vise a lot in the past
>nearly 20 years. It sure feels good to have it in my shop now. Ok... its
>still sitting on the trailer outside. I have not one, but two mills where I
>would like to put that table. I have a refrigerator and a communications
>rack where I would like to put the big mill. I need to finish the
>communications room to move the rack... Now why did I come on here again?
>LOL.
>
That vise is about as good as big vises get, and I bet you don't have
>Atleast I got the cool vise. LOL. I've used that vise a lot in the past
>nearly 20 years. It sure feels good to have it in my shop now. Ok... its
>still sitting on the trailer outside. I have not one, but two mills where I
>would like to put that table. I have a refrigerator and a communications
>rack where I would like to put the big mill. I need to finish the
>communications room to move the rack... Now why did I come on here again?
>LOL.
>
to drive your bench around the dooryard with the seasons.
The same customer tried to give me a very nice Lucas horizontal boring
mill like this:
http://www.condormachineinc.com/services-offered/rebuilt-machine-examples/lucas-horizontal-mill-3/
But I think they were teasing me -- they knew I'd have to move almost
everything else out of my shop just to get it in the door.
--
Ned Simmons
Pete C.
Feb 7, 2012, 5:34:36 AM2/7/12
to
stool, but are adjustable height and better for the task.
Steve B
Feb 7, 2012, 9:11:10 AM2/7/12
to
"Steve B" <ste...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:YC0Yq.206785$xn3....@news.usenetserver.com...
Steve
Jim Wilkins
Feb 7, 2012, 9:37:53 AM2/7/12
to
> ...
Good idea.
I found a hydraulic scissors table minus its broken electric pump cheap, and
bought a foot pump from Northern to operate it. It had been a factory
assembly table without wheels.
In order to roll it around I bolted inverted hooks to one end and a hitch
coupler to the other. The hooks fit over the axle of removeable wheels. With
the wheels off it sits solidly on the ground with nothing protruding to snag
a heavy object being muscled onto the lowered top.
The hinged hook on the trailer dolly whose photo I posted catches the
coupler and raises it enough to slide wood under the base, so I can rock the
hook end up to install or remove the axle, which is CRS rod from the
hardware store, threaded for a Nylok nut on both ends. This is a very simple
and cheap temporary wheel installation.
I couldn't come up with any other way to fit retractible landing gear
entirely below the table top level. Otherwise I'd use trailer tongue jacks.
jsw
> Here's my free bench. I was at a customer's plant last spring and they
> had replaced it with an Acorn table. It's 4x10 and weighs about 1500#.
> It's now my fair weather outdoor bench. The wheels are an old trailer
> axle that slips under the middle and clamps on so it can roll out of
> the way for the winter -- I call it the ATB (all terrain bench). No
> free vise though.
> http://www.nedsim.com/news/AllTerrainBench01.JPG
> Ned Simmons
> had replaced it with an Acorn table. It's 4x10 and weighs about 1500#.
> It's now my fair weather outdoor bench. The wheels are an old trailer
> axle that slips under the middle and clamps on so it can roll out of
> the way for the winter -- I call it the ATB (all terrain bench). No
> free vise though.
> http://www.nedsim.com/news/AllTerrainBench01.JPG
Good idea.
I found a hydraulic scissors table minus its broken electric pump cheap, and
bought a foot pump from Northern to operate it. It had been a factory
assembly table without wheels.
In order to roll it around I bolted inverted hooks to one end and a hitch
coupler to the other. The hooks fit over the axle of removeable wheels. With
the wheels off it sits solidly on the ground with nothing protruding to snag
a heavy object being muscled onto the lowered top.
The hinged hook on the trailer dolly whose photo I posted catches the
coupler and raises it enough to slide wood under the base, so I can rock the
hook end up to install or remove the axle, which is CRS rod from the
hardware store, threaded for a Nylok nut on both ends. This is a very simple
and cheap temporary wheel installation.
I couldn't come up with any other way to fit retractible landing gear
entirely below the table top level. Otherwise I'd use trailer tongue jacks.
jsw
BobH
Feb 7, 2012, 9:18:25 PM2/7/12
to
is on a gas cylinder. Every time I sit on it, it settles to a different
height. Still beats standing for most of the welding I do.
BobH
Bob La Londe
Feb 8, 2012, 11:45:12 AM2/8/12
to
"Too_Many_Tools" <too_man...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:2499836a-1411-4de7...@a15g2000yqf.googlegroups.com...
I have three heavy duty wood top work benches in the shop. I didn't really
need another work bench... Well I didn't really have room for it unless I
rearrange the shop. But since its an all steel bench I figured it might be
nice for welding small hard to clamp parts.
I don't see any reason to just send the bench off to salvage even if I never
use it for welding though. I will invariably need the steel for something
else if I don't leave it a bench. Metal is expensive in Yuma. I buy my
larger orders from half way across the country to get decent prices. (I got
my last big order of aluminum from Maryland, and I routinely order cut
pieces for mold making from a shop in North Carolina.)
news:2499836a-1411-4de7...@a15g2000yqf.googlegroups.com...
need another work bench... Well I didn't really have room for it unless I
rearrange the shop. But since its an all steel bench I figured it might be
nice for welding small hard to clamp parts.
I don't see any reason to just send the bench off to salvage even if I never
use it for welding though. I will invariably need the steel for something
else if I don't leave it a bench. Metal is expensive in Yuma. I buy my
larger orders from half way across the country to get decent prices. (I got
my last big order of aluminum from Maryland, and I routinely order cut
pieces for mold making from a shop in North Carolina.)
Bob La Londe
Feb 8, 2012, 2:05:51 PM2/8/12
to
"Ned Simmons" <ne...@nedsim.com> wrote in message
news:53c1j7lcrjin2elbc...@4ax.com...
Certainly my truck. LOL.
Wild_Bill
Feb 10, 2012, 2:40:09 PM2/10/12
to
A movable holder is a handy accessory for a welding table. It could have a
clamp made from an old vise-grip or other quickly reset sort of clamp, so it
can be moved around the edge of the table to where it's most
convenient/comfortable to reach.
The holder "tree" can include a tube or tray to hold a handfull of rods, and
scecure perches for gas torch, MIG/TIG guns, also tip cleaners etc..
numerous things that are always needed at the table.
--
WB
.........
"Bob La Londe" <no...@none.com> wrote in message
news:vwVXq.12149$Ep3....@newsfe08.iad...
clamp made from an old vise-grip or other quickly reset sort of clamp, so it
can be moved around the edge of the table to where it's most
convenient/comfortable to reach.
The holder "tree" can include a tube or tray to hold a handfull of rods, and
scecure perches for gas torch, MIG/TIG guns, also tip cleaners etc..
numerous things that are always needed at the table.
--
WB
.........
"Bob La Londe" <no...@none.com> wrote in message
news:vwVXq.12149$Ep3....@newsfe08.iad...
Gunner Asch
Feb 10, 2012, 10:50:10 PM2/10/12
to
straps....
Very nice vise! That you can pass down to the great great grand
children.
I have more of them if anyone needs one btw.
Gunner
One could not be a successful Leftwinger without realizing that,
in contrast to the popular conception supported by newspapers
and mothers of Leftwingers, a goodly number of Leftwingers are
not only narrow-minded and dull, but also just stupid.
Gunner Asch
Gunner Asch
Feb 10, 2012, 10:51:57 PM2/10/12
to
Very very well done Sir!!
Gunner Asch
Feb 10, 2012, 10:56:24 PM2/10/12
to
the fork lift running..
https://picasaweb.google.com/104042282269066802602/NewForSale#5630892300281426610
Steve B
Feb 16, 2012, 10:42:33 PM2/16/12
to
"Gunner Asch" <gunne...@gmail.com> wrote
>
> I sold this one..but may have a second one available as soon as I get
> the fork lift running..
>
> https://picasaweb.google.com/104042282269066802602/NewForSale#5630892300281426610
>
>
> Gunner
$325M coming the other day, but some clown in RI beat me to it. Ah, if I
ever hit it, your place is one of the first places I come to. Which is, if
I survive a few hedonistic stops on the way. Still trying to set aside some
cash for items I know you can provide.
Steve
Bob La Londe
Mar 5, 2012, 1:59:34 AM3/5/12
to
dragged it outside and turned it upside down. The thing is freaking heavy.
Reminds me why we dragged it inside with the tractor in the first place.
Amoungst the "junk" my buddy gave me were a couple media drawers intended
for direct plug in to some media equipment rack. (not a standard equipment
rack They fit between 31-1/4" sides) There was also some 2" steel tube he
had started to use to build a CNC foam cutter, and never finished. The tube
made great extra legs for the table, and since we already had these two
drawers we spaced the legs to hang them under the table.
Now the table is back on its '8' legs and sitting back where it belongs in
the shop... with two cool looking metal drawers under it on one end.
Some day I am going to have to spend a day welding various bits of steel
scrap with the Miller MIG. I swear I can do better work with the old China
Store flux core welder.. Well, better looking anyway. Then I did say I
bought it to weld aluminum, and I can do passing fair aluminum work with it.
I do wish I had held out for a pulser MIG for aluminum though. Oh, well.
Tom Gardner
Mar 5, 2012, 2:18:28 AM3/5/12
to
"Bob La Londe" wrote in message news:vwVXq.12149$Ep3....@newsfe08.iad...
And here I thought you would post a pix of the wire brushes.....
Too_Many_Tools
Mar 5, 2012, 10:50:06 AM3/5/12
to
On Feb 7, 8:37 am, "Jim Wilkins" <muratla...@gmail.com> wrote:
> "Ned Simmons" <n...@nedsim.com> wrote in message
Damn you...now I have to build ANOTHER welding table. ;<)
Your implementation of the scissors table and removable wheels is a
GREAT idea.
TMT
> "Ned Simmons" <n...@nedsim.com> wrote in message
Your implementation of the scissors table and removable wheels is a
GREAT idea.
TMT
Too_Many_Tools
Mar 5, 2012, 10:56:17 AM3/5/12
to
On Mar 5, 1:18 am, "Tom Gardner" <kl57...@gmail.com> wrote:
> "Bob La Londe" wrote in messagenews:vwVXq.12149$Ep3....@newsfe08.iad...
Being a gentleman, he was trying not to invoke a case of "Brush
Envy"....
TMT.
> "Bob La Londe" wrote in messagenews:vwVXq.12149$Ep3....@newsfe08.iad...
Envy"....
TMT.
Too_Many_Tools
Mar 5, 2012, 10:54:16 AM3/5/12
to
On Feb 10, 1:40 pm, "Wild_Bill" <wb_wildb...@XSPAMyahoo.com> wrote:
> A movable holder is a handy accessory for a welding table. It could have a
> clamp made from an old vise-grip or other quickly reset sort of clamp, so it
> can be moved around the edge of the table to where it's most
> convenient/comfortable to reach.
>
> The holder "tree" can include a tube or tray to hold a handfull of rods, and
> scecure perches for gas torch, MIG/TIG guns, also tip cleaners etc..
> numerous things that are always needed at the table.
>
> --
> WB
> .........
>
> "Bob La Londe" <n...@none.com> wrote in messagenews:vwVXq.12149$Ep3....@newsfe08.iad...
> A movable holder is a handy accessory for a welding table. It could have a
> clamp made from an old vise-grip or other quickly reset sort of clamp, so it
> can be moved around the edge of the table to where it's most
> convenient/comfortable to reach.
>
> The holder "tree" can include a tube or tray to hold a handfull of rods, and
> scecure perches for gas torch, MIG/TIG guns, also tip cleaners etc..
> numerous things that are always needed at the table.
>
> --
> WB
> .........
>
>
> - Show quoted text -
Great idea.
TMT
Too_Many_Tools
Mar 5, 2012, 10:53:41 AM3/5/12
to
On Feb 8, 10:45 am, "Bob La Londe" <n...@none.com> wrote:
> "Too_Many_Tools" <too_many_to...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> pieces for mold making from a shop in North Carolina.)- Hide quoted text -
impossible with the scrap prices where they are.
In the past years ago when did not have the shop space, I had a
welding table on wheels that sat outside with flowers on it..lawn
art...and with a good paint/LP3 coating the arraignment worked.
Never toss a good piece of metal..you will always find a use for it.
TMT
> "Too_Many_Tools" <too_many_to...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>
> - Show quoted text -
Same situation...limited space and finding free metal today is almost
> - Show quoted text -
impossible with the scrap prices where they are.
In the past years ago when did not have the shop space, I had a
welding table on wheels that sat outside with flowers on it..lawn
art...and with a good paint/LP3 coating the arraignment worked.
Never toss a good piece of metal..you will always find a use for it.
TMT
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