Opinions/Recommendations/Thoughts on Folding Welding Table

[sportin-wood]

Let me start by saying I've never welded before, but am looking for something portable that can be folded and stored away because I don't have any kind of shop space for a bigger table. This would be something I'll use as I learn, and hopefully for small projects. I have a Hobart Handler 125EZ MIG welder. I'm considering something like this Eastwood table:

https://www.eastwood.com/adjustable-steel-welding-table.html

Some of the 1-star reviews pretty much say you get what you pay for, quality-wise, which I understand...I don't have a large budget. Has any Samba member ever tried something like this? And if so, what are your experiences?

Any feedback is greatly appreciated!
Thanks
_________________
Dave

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1966 Bug project
1973 Thing project
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"Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman. He's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it." --- Jeff Spicoli

[scrivyscriv]

My first question would be: What do you want to weld? In my non-professional-welder experience dabbling around with MIG and some TIG, welding stuff like jigs and fixtures, to body sheet metal on vehicles, to beetle floor pans and tractor three point hitch parts, the only constant was a big metal vise bolted to a good workbench. The bench doesn't even have to be metal, although it's often easier to ground your welder to the bench and let the vise ground the part to it.

I can't think of a good use for a welding table that size, mostly because I value so much having a vise, and it doesn't look strong enough to do that.

So, whatcha welding?

This is my current table/bench, found on FB marketplace for a little over a benjamin:

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Robert in Memphis
Dünkelgrügen 1967 Java Green bug thread
Engine rebuild thread
If you're ever in the Memphis area, you are welcome to stop by for advice and help.

[sportin-wood]

Thanks for your reply, Robert. You bring up an excellent question! Mainly, I would probably just be practicing on the folding table before I start working on my projects. I've purchased a practice kit off Amazon (a variety if metal pieces of various thicknesses) before I start blowing through body panels and making more work for myself. I have a wooden work bench with a decent size vice attached, but I think I'd rather use a welding table that I can utilize my grounding clamp on better.

Repairing cracks in a '73 Thing's fenders, repairing/replacing small sections of metal and likely floor pan replacements are in the future. I also have a '66 Beetle project that I'm not going to give up on, that needs additional welding repair.

I might put out a Want-Ad on FB Marketplace (even though I hate FB) or check Craig's List to see if I can pick up something better suitable for a bargain.
_________________
Dave

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1966 Bug project
1973 Thing project
.
"Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman. He's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it." --- Jeff Spicoli

[GS guy]

I too recently contemplated getting one of those folding weld tables. Previously used a 1/2" aluminum plate bolted to a saw horse, not foldable (easily) and difficult to clamp things not near an edge - but it was flat. As near I can tell (youtube reviews, etc.) all the folding tables are not very flat/easily warp so not very good for any kind of precision fixturing/welding. In the end I opted for the non-folding titanium fixturing table from HF. It still took a lot of fiddling/shimming and tweaking to get it reasonably flat, but also came with the fixture and clamping set, which some pieces also needed work to function with some precision - par for the course typical HF stuff. I made a wood foot-stop to move it around with my hand truck, so somewhat portable. I wanted to make a folding stand to use with it (or just purchase a stand from Rockler or similar) but so far just put it together non-folding. Who doesn't need extra table space??
As near as I can tell, this is just about the ultimate folding stand for this type of table - DIY from plans:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLYLd-TCsSk
Jeff
_________________
70's vintage Deserter GS buggy - undergoing transformation to Super GS!

[GS guy]

Couple more options - an upgrade for the folding welding table you're considering:
https://fireballtool.com/products/foldable-welding-table-3-4-system

Grizzly makes a folding version of the HF titanium-size table (but few reviews to assess so, more money, harder to jump in):
https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-24-x-36-folding-welding-table/t32859

One consideration (that I'm not crazy about these folding versions) - sitting at the table to weld and having room for your legs underneath? That's a biggie for me.
_________________
70's vintage Deserter GS buggy - undergoing transformation to Super GS!

[sportin-wood]

Thanks GS guy - good info!
_________________
Dave

.
1966 Bug project
1973 Thing project
.
"Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman. He's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it." --- Jeff Spicoli

[scrivyscriv]

Yeah, I loathe Facebook too. Kept it for marketplace but after a while I realized the benefit was becoming far outweighed by scams, “is this still available-ers,” people who won’t respond.. I shut mine down end of last year and don’t miss it!
But, around Memphis at least, it’s one of the biggest places to find used stuff. Nobody really uses craigslist anymore here except maybe some farmers and old people I guess.

If you have time and patience, keep an eye out and be open to unconventional ways of accomplishing your end goal. I actually was just looking for some scrap 3/8” sheet steel to fix a tractor implement when I stumbled on my work table.
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Robert in Memphis
Dünkelgrügen 1967 Java Green bug thread
Engine rebuild thread
If you're ever in the Memphis area, you are welcome to stop by for advice and help.

[viiking]

Whilst not necessarily space saving, I found that the frame of an old swivelling office chair made a perfect welding fixture for smaller items. Mine is a four legged type with no castors. I believe 4 legged chairs are now "illegal" in OH&S due to their propensity for tipping over.

Remove the chair and fix a piece of plywood or steel plate and you have a really helpful fixture to work on. It swivels which makes it very handy so you don't have to reposition your item (e.g. once clamped down) and most are height adjustable. And they are cheap at second hand shops or in home cleanups.

Once the chair section is removed it usually exposes a nice attachment plate that you can fix a top to. The height adjustment makes it good for work if you sit on a low chair.
_________________
1968 1500 RHD Lotus White Beetle since birth. In the hospital for major surgery
1966 Lancia Flavia Pininfarina Coupe - in the waiting room
Discharged: 1983 Vanagon, 1974 1800 Microbus,1968 Low Light,1968 Type 3

[VW_Jimbo]

I like light weight and portable stuff, both for ease of carrying around and putting away when not in use.

I have 2 plastic saw horses that adjust in height. I use a 3/4” thick x 2’ x 4’ section of cdx plywood for the top. Light weight. Easy to lift. Yes it can catch on fire, but that is what a squirt bottle is for.

That set up works for me. I can even clamp the vice to it, if needed. And if you need something bigger, buy a full sheet of plywood.

The downside it is not for jigging projects up, like gates. The bow in the plywood does not work. As an alternative, I use a 1-1/2” x 1-1/2 square channel, framed table. It is heavy and rarely gets used, but makes set up super easy for straight and squared projects.
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Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[sportin-wood]

Thanks guys - you give a lot of good options. Since it's just to practice, I'm thinking I'll make a DIY table, possibly the plywood idea (thanks Jimbo!) making sure to keep some water nearby
_________________
Dave

.
1966 Bug project
1973 Thing project
.
"Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman. He's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it." --- Jeff Spicoli

[GS guy]

FWIW, here's the saw-horse table I've been welding on for several years. Worked great for smaller items and easy to clean off all the little Mig marbles afterwards. Note the multi-use "stool"!
To the OP, I'd say try to come up with something you can scrounge up cheap. Then later decide what you really need/want and start googling for recommendations. Get some anti-splatter spray to help keep the marbles from sticking to everything.
Jeff

_________________
70's vintage Deserter GS buggy - undergoing transformation to Super GS!

[sportin-wood]

Thanks, Jeff. Cool setup. The "stool" might need some padding for this big ol' bootay, but otherwise I like the idea.
_________________
Dave

.
1966 Bug project
1973 Thing project
.
"Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman. He's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it." --- Jeff Spicoli

[esde]

I have several welding tables, but the cheapest and one of my favorites:
And old wooden electric spool, the kind you can turn sideways and use as a table. Stick a big old hunk of scrap plate from the salvage yard on it, and outside the shop under a shade tree. Cost about $75 and was great till the junkies stole the plate top.
Stick a chunk of plate on anything really, but if it's strong enough to hammer on and bend against, that's better.
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modok wrote:
Bent cranks are silent but gather no moss. I mean, ah, something like that.

[sportin-wood]

I ended up purchasing this 24"x32"x1/8" plate off eBay. It has 5/8" holes that I will secure to a work bench.

This should suit my needs well enough.
_________________
Dave

.
1966 Bug project
1973 Thing project
.
"Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman. He's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it." --- Jeff Spicoli