Welding table to MFT mating?

[Packard]

I have this economy welding table for about 7 years (along with a welder—another case of my ambition exceeding my energy).

The table top is 24” x 36” and 4mm (0.157”) thick.  The holes are 16mm (0.623”). 

The holes are equally spaced at 2” center to center.  It came with clamps and I have magnetic right angle holders. 

The 1 minute video shows all the dimensions and accessories.  The legs are removable, though I have not assembled it as of yet.  (Northern Tool has learned the benefits of tight editing—no fat left on that video.)

Obviously I would not want to saw on the metal table top.  Even a carbide blade would suffer in that abuse.

Glue-ups?  Assembly?  Any thoughts on how to incorporate it into the wood shop?  Too heavy to move (close to 80 pounds) so not much of a on-site piece.  So a stationary piece. 

Visually, it certainly brings to mind the MFT table, and this type of table for welding has been around for decades, though most have much thicker tops (up to 1.00” thick), and most more expensive.

It was more expensive when I bought it—about $225.00, now about $170.00.

I notice that one of the reviews complained about flatness.  Mine does not have that issue.  I’m thinking it might work well for a biscuit cutting station or a pocket hole drilling and assembly station.  Any other ideas? 

https://www.northerntool.com/produc...ywUIvzwCkqdZAVqkwn19rz0hTd#hotbar-description

 

[woodferret]

All I can think of is glue and metal do not mix.  At least my older clamps tell me so

 

[Packard]

All I can think of is glue and metal do not mix.  At least my older clamps tell me so

My first thought was a glue-up station for face frames.  All the holes are in perfect alignment as far as I can see. And it came with clamps…

It’s sitting around doing nothing—even worse, it’s doing that sitting around in plain sight every time I walk into the shop.

(Or I could go out and buy some steel and try my hand at welding.)

 

[rvieceli]

[member=74278]Packard[/member] i think you might be able to replace the the leveling feet on that table with casters so you can roll it around.

There are a ton of work holding and squares and angles available for the 16mm x2 inch grid. Take a look herehttps://fireballtool.com/collections/16mm-fixtures-fa16

Nice stuff but not the only game in town.

Ron

 

[Packard]

Thanks for that link. 

I have a Workmate for about 30 years.  A few years back I got it out of storage and placed it in the middle of my shop (really, the only available spot).

I never missed it before, but I use it almost for every project.  Most often for sanding.  The clamp will hold almost any shape.

I will try that same experiment with the welding table.  It may end up as an assembly table. 

I made my own MFT-type table.  I used a pegboard for the template and a vix bit to do the layout (4” on center).  Despite working carefully, there is one hole on each table (I made 3) that is out of alignment.  I have no idea how the error crept in.  My “corrective” action was to draw a circle around the offending holes with a red magic marker.

In any case, not ideal for assembly. 

The welding table’s holes, on the other hand, are precisely aligned.  I think that is the best I can come up with.  Maybe with the table setup, I will be stimulated enough to try out the welder.

At any rate, thanks for the link.  Northern Tool, also makes some table accessories.  And I may make some using Magswitches. 

 

[mino]

The first thing that comes to my mind is a (re)movable stand for a mitter saw.

That way it stays still easily moved out for the occasional welding job while the space below is aplenty for a CT15/25 dedicated to the mitter station. While none of the negatives of a metal table in a wood shop come about either.