Thread: Tips for making a table

Hi folks,

I have recieved help previously here on cutting accurate miters, and I have mastered that thanks to some of the advice and guidance here, so firstly thank-you to the forum!

Now that I am confident in getting accurate squares, I am ready to start tackling my first decent project, which is making a large-ish table/mobile bench out of 304 ss.

Basic design is quite simple, the tabletop will be "lipped" by the angle all around, so as to contain whatever is on the table. only 1 shelf necessary but I would like to cut some holes that I can fit a bucket to so that it is flush/under the surface of the table.

My main questions are, when attaching the top sheet to the angle frame, how would you go about it? weld all around inside, stitch weld on the underside, etc. My main concern is that it will not be seamless, there will be gaps between the sheet and the angle which could trap water, bacteria etc.

I don't have access to a bender so i couldn't bend the lips up unfortunately. I'm a bit worried that all that welding would warp things, but maybe i can just run a very cold bead (or fusion TIG it) without much ill effect?

next question, does anyone have any bright ideas on attaching a bucket, so it sits under the level of the sheet? in my head i've just got a simple frame in mind that holds it in, but if there's any way to do it without having to build anything underneath the tabletop, so i could make the table with folding or removable legs and flat-pack, that would be great.

Sorry if confusing

Thanks in advance gents

Hi Corgan if I were you I would check around some sheet metal shops to bend up some pans for the tops so you will only have 4 seams to weld in the corners and then you can simply tack the angle frame beneath it.

You could attach angle rails to catch the lips of the bucket under the top so the bucket can be slid in and out easily so long as its tight enough not to tilt or break.... maybe a plywood board with a hole in the center can hold the bucket and then slide on those rails more securely if that is hygienic enough

thanks mate, sounds like that will be the go, i'll have to get some quotes on getting them bent for me.

i like the idea of the angle rails, that seems about perfect for what i need- thanks!

Its a pleasure to help, I assume you want something sterile so it would be worth getting the top made in 1.6mm or 2mm sheet so you dont have to get safety edges folded on that bacteria can get into. So you dont have a sharp edge get a flapper disc in a grinder and "roll" the edges, Its really easy and the guys in the sheet shop would do it for your before bending