05-11-2012, 02:35 PM
I had to remove a wood constructed bench to make room for my new mill and ever since I have missed the work space and storage. I decided to build a smaller bench in the same spot but I would make it out of metal rather than the 2x4 construction of the old bench. Here is the old bench.
[attachment=1287]
This is the space I have to work with now after moving the parts washer.
[attachment=1288]
The bench will be 4' long, 36" tall and 2' deep with a lower shelf. I have some left over 3/4" melamine that I will use for the top and shelf. The first job was to cut some 1 1/2" square tubing to length using the band saw. Here is the start.
[attachment=1289]
I setup the end sections first.
[attachment=1290]
[attachment=1291]
Lots of clamps help and also having a good table. When I get it square I tack all of the tubes.
[attachment=1292]
I flip the weldment over and clamp to the table and finish tacking the tubes. Next I weld out the joints. Here is the first end piece welded up.
[attachment=1293]
After finishing the other end piece I set them up on the table using the long tubes to set the length and squared it up. After tacking the top section I added the lower cross tubes that will support the shelf.
[attachment=1294]
[attachment=1295]
Once everthing was tacked I started welding all of the joints. I like to weld in position if possible so I flip the weldment around as needed. Here are some closeups of the welds. I am only showing the decent ones.
[attachment=1296]
[attachment=1297]
[attachment=1298]
[attachment=1299]
I wanted to add leveling feet so i cut some 1/4" thick flat bar to length that I will weld into the tubing.
[attachment=1300]
[attachment=1301]
[attachment=1287]
This is the space I have to work with now after moving the parts washer.
[attachment=1288]
The bench will be 4' long, 36" tall and 2' deep with a lower shelf. I have some left over 3/4" melamine that I will use for the top and shelf. The first job was to cut some 1 1/2" square tubing to length using the band saw. Here is the start.
[attachment=1289]
I setup the end sections first.
[attachment=1290]
[attachment=1291]
Lots of clamps help and also having a good table. When I get it square I tack all of the tubes.
[attachment=1292]
I flip the weldment over and clamp to the table and finish tacking the tubes. Next I weld out the joints. Here is the first end piece welded up.
[attachment=1293]
After finishing the other end piece I set them up on the table using the long tubes to set the length and squared it up. After tacking the top section I added the lower cross tubes that will support the shelf.
[attachment=1294]
[attachment=1295]
Once everthing was tacked I started welding all of the joints. I like to weld in position if possible so I flip the weldment around as needed. Here are some closeups of the welds. I am only showing the decent ones.
[attachment=1296]
[attachment=1297]
[attachment=1298]
[attachment=1299]
I wanted to add leveling feet so i cut some 1/4" thick flat bar to length that I will weld into the tubing.
[attachment=1300]
[attachment=1301]