Metal Table [Video]

The patio Tom built for our metal shop house is a great place to gather with friends and family. There seemed to be just one thing lacking though. A large table. Our old table had bee blown by the wind and the glass top flew off and broke everywhere. It was actually the second patio table that we had lost that way.
Tom and I decided to build a large metal table for our back porch. We wanted a table that all could gather around as well as one that would withstand the Wyoming wind.
We started by measuring for height. We cut each leg 28 1/2 inches tall using an abrasive chop saw. The steel legs were built out of 1 1/2 inch by 3 inch rectangular tubing. The edges were deburred using a belt grinder. Tom made small tabs to fit onto the bottom of the legs. The process was made easy by using an Edwards Iron Worker to cut the metal tabs from 1 1/2 inch flat strap. The tabs were welded onto each end of the legs. The ends were then ground off to give the metal legs a finished look.
The next step was to make the frame base for the metal table. The metal frame was built so that there would be a 10 inch perimeter from the metal table top. The frame was built by using 1 1/2 inch by 2 inch rectangle steel tube. Tom squared up the base and then secured the ends of the metal tube using welding clamps.
Then Tom capped the ends of the tubing and formed a butt joint to give the metal table a mitered look. The metal table legs were set and welded to the inside of the set frame.
With our steel frame complete the next step is to fabricate a steel top for the table. The next article will explore how Tom and Karen take a 12 gauge hot rolled piece of sheet metal and build a top for their large metal table.