DIY Arched Beam Table Base – ARCHE

Introducing the Arche Table Base – an artful fusion of engineering and design that brings a touch of elegance to any tabletop. Crafted entirely from 3/16″ plate steel, this arched base is ingeniously assembled to mimic the look of a continuous H-beam – a feat that wouldn’t be possible with bent steel alone. Precision-cut tabs and slots guide each piece along an arch-shaped spine, while stitch welds secure the components in place.

The top arch is made by welding an actual arch cut piece of plate, with both inner and outer strips. Each strip has holes cut in it for plug welding to the center piece.

The legs, formed from three flat pieces of steel each, add to the overall strength and aesthetic, resulting in a table base that is as robust as it is striking.

Designed to support any customer-supplied top – be it wood, glass, or another material – the Arche Table Base uses the apex of its arch as the central support point, creating a clean, minimalist look that invites conversation. Originally conceived for the Texas Furniture Maker competition, where it received special mention, this piece stands alone in the marketplace. Its unique blend of artistry and industrial might makes it not only a functional support system but also a true conversation starter in any setting.

Example Build

In the picture below you can see the base supporting a top slab. In this situation, extra plates were added to each end with a star, and the steel was “aged” and then clear powder coated to mimic an old industrial look.

Also, note that these legs are designed to have a lower block of wood installed at the bottom! This is a very important detail, as the table height will sit too low without the lower pieces that pull it all together. If you wish to install leveling feet, you can use inserts and even recess them into the wood on the bottom.

Measurements

The footprint of the ARCHE table base measures just over 2′ x 6′, so this base is made for a large table top. We recommend at least 30″ x 96″. It can of course accommodate an even larger top. The dimensions of the mounting points are shows in the image below so you can plan out the top accordingly.

Strength

In terms of sheer weight bearing capability, this table base is unmatched. Here’s the base with a 400+ pound sheet of steel sitting on it, and a 600 pound sheet metal roller on top of that. It’s as if the base doesn’t know it even has anything on top!

Assembly

The base is designed to be able to be disassembled into the two end pieces, plus the arch. Each set of legs has a set of double arcs that the center panel of the arch slides between. Then a pair of nuts and bolts secures both ends.

That’s all it takes to assemble and disassemble it once everything is welded!

This project requires a little work, but from a welding and fabrication perspective it’s not quite as hard as the end result makes it look. So you can tackle this project with confidence and then make up stories to tell everyone about how you managed to bend that I-Beam into an arch!!!

Of course, you can always add shapes or designs onto the ends of the table to give it an accent piece like the photo above. So when you build your own version please document your build and share it over on the Forums! Everyone will really enjoy seeing what you come up with!