The centerpiece of any great workshop is a sturdy workbench. And when you work with metal, you don’t want to count on a flimsy lightweight bench from the local big-box store. The same goes for the old 2×4 and plywood workbench in the corner of your garage.
To do heavy duty work, you need a heavy duty steel fabrication table. And the best way to get the one you want is to design it and build it yourself. In this project, we’ll show you how to do exactly that. Follow along as we build a 6-foot by 4-foot steel fab table that can withstand anything you throw at it. The materials and tools required to build it are listed below, followed by step-by-step instructions and a full video.
And don’t worry if this table isn’t the perfect size for your shop. Use this project as a guide to build a table that fits your exact needs. Adjust the dimensions to fit accordingly.
Fab Table Tools
- MP 200i AC/DC Welder
- Panoramic Welding Helmet
- Versa Cut 40 Plasma Cutter
- Angle Grinder
- 3 Axis Welding Clamp
- Tornado Drill Bit Set
- Long Reach Welding Clamps
- Benchtop Band Saw
Fab Table Materials
- 2” x 2” x 1/8” steel square tubing
- ¼”-thick plate steel
- 5” locking casters
Procedure
- With a band saw, cut square tubing sections to the length required
- Dress the square tubing where it will be welded using an angle grinder with a coarse flap disc
- Use a construction square and welding magnets to square-up the corners for welding
- Tack the top frame together one corner at a time, ensuring each one remains square
- Go back to each corner and run complete weld beads at each joint to create strong, complete seams
- Once all four corners of the frame are fully welded, add a center support beam to the top frame
- Repeat the process for the lower frame (with or without a center beam)
- Align a leg section with one of the frame corners
- Use welding magnets to ensure the leg is completely perpendicular to the frame in both directions
- Tack the leg to the frame on all sides, keeping it square and perpendicular
- Repeat this process for the remaining 3 legs
- Position the completed lower frame on the opposite ends of the table legs
- Tack weld teach leg to the lower frame, ensuring the assembly remains square
- With all four legs secured to both frames, go back and finish welding complete beads to each seam
- Use a plasma cutter to trim upper and lower shelves to their final dimensions
- The lower shelf must be notched to clear the legs with 2-1/4” squares removed from each corner to allow for clearing the welds
- Tack-weld the casters in place at each corner
- Flip the table frame onto its casters and confirm it sits level and rolls easily before finish-welding them in place
- Insert the lower shelf into position first
- Use a stitch weld to permanently mount the lower shelf to the frame
- Center the top shelf on the upper frame, ensure equal overhangs in both directions
- Tack the top shelf in a couple positions to lock it into place before stitch welding it completely to the frame
- Use an angle grinder with a flap disc to debur and smooth all corners and edges
Video