Mobile welding table

[Meling]

This home-made welding table provides a sturdy, portable work surface with plenty of storage space for tools and welding gear. 

• The project
• More welding inspiration

The project

I upcycled this welding table using scraps in the shed. I used rebar, angle iron, tube steel, metal castor wheels, chipboard, tin and a drawer slide.

 

More welding inspiration

Experienced Bunnings workshop member Kel showcased her welding skills when building an all-in-one fire pit and barbecue.

To get his tools and equipment out of the garage, Jimi built a steel shed from scratch. 

Beginner welder and Workshop member Wheresmy10mm successfully repaired a broken punching bag stand and was justifiably proud of his work.  

You can also check out our Top 10 most popular workbench projects and our guide How to stay safe during D.I.Y. projects.

[MikeTNZ]

Hi @Meling,

Top marks mate, that looks really good and the fact you were able to make this out of recycled materials makes it even better.

One thing i did notice is that you're using flux-cored wire in your MIG welder as opposed to solid core and gas?

I do the same and I removed the cone off the tip, it makes welding so much easier being able to see the contact tip

and to be fair I don't think I've ever had a problem with weld splatter on the tip or the brass ferrule.

Cheers,

Mike T.

[Xerojet]

Nice work @Meling! 

That table must be great to work with and help reduce fatigue from squatting, causing spinal problems

I have done MIG welding before but never tried TIG welding (for aluminium)

Could you make a list of stuff required to set up a TIG welding machine shop including any ancilliary products including gas?

I see the TIG welder that Bunnings sells is pretty expensive too at $699, while others on the market ..

  e.g. Amazon are half that price but I guess "you get what you pay for", that said as a newbie I cant afford too much and

  I will only need the machine for a few months

I want to build a bicycle trailer that is strong but light and if possible not to depend on the grid.

The steel trailers available on the market are expensive and heavy.

The alternative is of course to buy an electric bike as the towing device, but I'd like to stay natural and keep fit.

Electric bikes are sure to make you lazy and weak.  LOL

[MitchellMc]

@Xerojet,

I was actually considering building a bike trailer myself. I had thought of perhaps starting with a Saxon steel mesh garden cart and stripping it right down to the axles and wheels, then building it back up with aluminium. That way, you could bolt the structure together. Some welds wouldn't hurt, though. For the price, which includes axles and wheels with bearings, it's not a bad start.

That Bossweld MST185 Plus 180A MIG Stick and TIG Inverter Welder is a quality piece of kit. Know anyone that might want to go halves with you? It's the type of thing that many people would like to own but are unsure about committing to purchasing. You're not going to use it all the time, and it would be pretty easy to share ownership. My welder goes between my father-in-law's house and mine when needed.

Mitchell

[Xerojet]

Hi MitchelMc

Thanks for posting I enjoyed reading about your plans.

It's great to build something you have designed yourself, a totally unique object that is useful.

When I was in my twenties, I built an open wheeler Formula 3 style car to race at what is known as Barbagallo Raceway north of Perth in WA.

I found a few books (no internet back then) on Chassis and and Suspension design. Then I bought an oxy-acetylene set and some pink coated rods for brazing and a few lengths of 3/4" 16 gauge square mild steel. Firstly, I needed to turn my open carport into a garage of sorts, to stop the wind and nosey neighbours from seeing what I was up to.  That was my learning curve to get the hang of welding.  I learned that this was the favourite method of professional race car builders, except they used round  chrome-Molloy tubing. I decided mild steel would be good enough for my project as it was far cheaper and supplied by a local hardware shop.  Anyone who has used these pink rods (coated in flux) will know it’s so easy and the weld joints turn out smooth and nice looking after brushing off the flux.  Some would say it’s not welding but soldering and I agree.  Later I tried stick welding with a primitive small machine but I hated it.  Sticking and rough ugly welds and burn-throughs on 16 gauge tube!  That's when I bought a cheap MIG welder. It was dream to use after the stick welder, despite unpredictable changes in wire feed 😎. My welds started to get faster and cleaner when I paid for a tradesman quality MIG welder. I was so enthusiastic that I set up a steel fabrication business to make pool fencing and gates. Then we made really nice bespoke workshop benches made from 1.5" square 16 gauge steel tubing with 3/4" marine ply tops and shelves. Then we tried making office furniture using 1" square tube with the tops made from wood veneer ply inset into the frame. They looked sweet and we made a few reception counters in that fashion too.

Sorry, I digress, back to the race car. I based it all around a Renault 12 engine (1100 cc)  since I had a friend who ran a Renault repair shop so he sold me all the parts I needed. I made most of the components myself including the chassis and suspension and wheel uprights. I had the existing steel wheels widened by a machine shop. Front to 8" and rear to 10" width. I also had the exhaust manifold pipes crafted by an expert.  I took the engine to a local race engine tuner. He lightened the flywheel and fitted high compression pistons etc.  Once running it would rev to 10,000 RPM. I remember the neighbours about 100 metres away came out complaining about the noise when I made as short demo for friend who was visiting me. (about 9pm at night) the exhaust pipes were red hot glowing in the shed, lovely 😜.  I raced the car a few times without success and life got in the way as I found other priorities but I really enjoyed the experience. I left the car with my friend as I went overseas, Unfortunately, he sold off parts and sent the rest to a scrap metal dealer. I regret that episode.  In those days all classes of open wheelers were raced together. It was a little daunting being overtaken by V8 powered machines as they lapped my car. 

There is no doubt welding is a wonderful tool for creative people.  I want to weld aluminium in this project so I will keep you informed of my progress.  Yes, I will have to buy a bike trailer first as I can’t carry very much camping gear on my bike. I’m now officially homeless and will be wild camping. I will look for somebody who has an empty garage where I can do the project. The money I save on not paying rent will be the only way I can do this as I’m a pensioner. 😁

[MitchellMc]

That's quite the story @Xerojet! I can't imagine the feeling of driving a car you've built on a racetrack; exhilarating, no doubt. I might need to try braising as I'm pretty useless at welding. Not that I've had much practise.

Good luck with your project, and many thanks for sharing. Reach out anytime you need assistance. We're here to help.

Mitchell

[Noyade]

Nice job Meling! 😁

[Noyade]

A few years back I turned an old fold-down masseuse table into a mobile platform come welding table. I removed the plywood, foam and vinyl and welded two steel checker plates on each side and added wheels. Works OK, but you must be very careful not to get a finger between the two steel plates as you unfold it - it'll take a finger tip clean off.

[EricL]

Hi @Noyade

A fantastic way to recycle a table that would have otherwise found itself in a landfill.  

Eric