After looking at a lot of welding tables on the WeldingWeb forums, I wanted to incorporate the features I like from all of them.
1) I do not want my table to move AT ALL. So I bolted it to the floor. Using concrete anchors and bolts with a heavy cork/rubber pad in between for sound damping.
2) Everything is made with 2 inch square tubing with 3/16" walls. This is notable because the six legs are open at the table top. Then I can put a 1-1/2" telescoping piece down each leg. This is extremely useful! By making a 3/8" by 10 inch or so platform with the 1-1/2" shaft welded to the center, I now have platforms to mount bench grinders, Beverly Shears, Vises, PortaBand Saw, Drycut Saw, Dremel Drill Press, Rollers, HVLP Gun Holders, Helpers of every kind in ANY of the six holes in the table, and in any receiver hole on any other table. With 2 1/2" bolts on two sides of the 2 inch just under the table top, I can tighten down those tools so they are secure.
http://devestechnet.com/Images/Restorations/1950B/D50b02059lg.jpghttp://devestechnet.com/Images/Restorations/1950B/D50b02057lg.jpghttp://devestechnet.com/Images/Restorations/1950B/D50b02058lg.jpghttp://devestechnet.com/Images/Restorations/1950B/D50b02005lg.jpghttp://devestechnet.com/Images/Restorations/1950B/D50b02033lg.jpg3) The Table Top is as Denny mentioned 1/2 inch. It's 30 deep by 60 long with 30 inches used for a nice smooth flat surface. The other 30 inches has 1/2" slots with a 3/4 inch round on one end. This is for clamping things securely to the table using all kinds of clamps. For small stuff you can use those HF Vise Grip Style Drill Press Clamps, 3/4" Pipe Clamps, etc. This helps me ensure the work is perfectly square when done.
To build this table I took a piece of 1/8" tempered masonite and measured it all out, then drilled and shaped everything. I then took the masonite template to my local welding shop who has a plasma table. They input the table top in the computer and then used the computer controlled precision Plasma table to cut it out. I welded the rest up myself. Plasma is precision enough for my purposes, but the next time I will tell them to run it on the Waterjet. Once it's in the computer, the cost is pretty minimal. The first time cost me $200 but after its in the computer, I can expect a lot less. The next time I do it, I will put the entire project into their preferred computer CAD software called DraftSight, make whatever changes I can think of (so far none) and then have them cut it out of 3/4". 1/2 is fine but a deeper measure of security knowing 3/4 is harder to bend maybe. So far I haven't bent the 1/2 inch at all, but it's on my mind.
http://devestechnet.com/Home/MorePixIn the link above is lots of places where I use this receiver concept. The SuperJig features that, so do the rest of my tables, stands, even light fixtures that are pushed into the receivers in the walls and then easily removed and stowed away.
Shop fixtures, jigs, tables, etc is one of my favorite subjects!
Was that a 'moment'?
