1/2 Cup
Member Emeritus
Wow, that's neat.
Adjustable welding/shop table
- Thread starter torched
- Start date
soj
Well-known member
Still waiting on details of adjusting screw.
jp
jp
Zeke
Well-known member
Wouldn't be hard to figure out. Start with some all-thread, weld a nut for the drive end and weld a nut into the top of the extension leg. You would have to have that ***'y turn in a collar of some sort so a couple more nuts and you've got it. And there are a couple different ways to achieve the collar. One would be to have a third nut welded a little deeper from the top surface.
One problem I see is the caster flange. Looks like an ankle biter.
OK guys, Let me first apologize for being MIA on this for so long. Here is a rough drawing I made that will hopefully answer most of the questions on the design of the legs.
Not pictured but necessary (in my opinion) is a large fender washer between the underside nut and the "plate" at the top of the leg with plenty of grease. Also you can see in the original pictures that I put a jam bolt on each leg to remove any movement in the legs.
Hope this helps. Thanks for all of the input and positive comments.
Not pictured but necessary (in my opinion) is a large fender washer between the underside nut and the "plate" at the top of the leg with plenty of grease. Also you can see in the original pictures that I put a jam bolt on each leg to remove any movement in the legs.
Hope this helps. Thanks for all of the input and positive comments.
hsvtoolfool
Well-known member
Just a note: threaded Acme rods are better than common all-thread
in this application because they actually support the table. The 1/4"
plate on the inner leg is the lower support. The 1/4" plate inside the
"outer" leg is the upper support (and probably the weakest link
due to the difficult weld). The table's weight limit is restricted to the
quality of those plate welds, the Acme nuts used, and the Acme
thread itself. The inner and outer legs are probably much stronger
than the lift-mechanism in this case.
This table is plenty strong; hold a big V8 engine no problem. I only
mentioned the weight issue because there are so many "beast" tables
posted in this forum (2" surface plates and such). This lift setup
probably wouldn't be a good application for tables supporting a
literal ton of weight.
It's a super system for lighter work though. I may have to adopt if for
a cabinet maker's bench I'm building. Thanks for sharing.
in this application because they actually support the table. The 1/4"
plate on the inner leg is the lower support. The 1/4" plate inside the
"outer" leg is the upper support (and probably the weakest link
due to the difficult weld). The table's weight limit is restricted to the
quality of those plate welds, the Acme nuts used, and the Acme
thread itself. The inner and outer legs are probably much stronger
than the lift-mechanism in this case.
This table is plenty strong; hold a big V8 engine no problem. I only
mentioned the weight issue because there are so many "beast" tables
posted in this forum (2" surface plates and such). This lift setup
probably wouldn't be a good application for tables supporting a
literal ton of weight.
It's a super system for lighter work though. I may have to adopt if for
a cabinet maker's bench I'm building. Thanks for sharing.
AMCguy
Well-known member
This is a brilliant table design. I don't need any more work surfaces in my shop. But I want to build something that incorporates this type of levelling mechanism.
This would be another good way to re-purpose the acme screw guts from an otherwise throwaway scissor jack.
This would be another good way to re-purpose the acme screw guts from an otherwise throwaway scissor jack.
fnieto
Well-known member
Acme thread are not only Stronger but adjust faster than conventional pitches.
Nice table build.
Nice table build.
dwp99
Well-known member
Awesome table.
Your exactly right with the acme thread vs. all thread. I made a version of this leg using standard all thread to test the design and within just a few cycles the edges of the threads were like razor blades.
I have to say I'm using this table far more than I thought I would and consider it more of a tool than a work surface. With that being said if I built another one I would extend the edges of the top for more of a clamping surface. Many members said to specifically do that and I chose to disregard it and really wish I hadn't.
I've been thinking about a similar setup for the very large/heavy tables and think the auto leveling setup off a old Class A motor home might work.
fourjeepin
Well-known member
How much of an overhang do you have on the table? How much would you do if rebuilding it tomorrow?
It has 1-1/2" overhang right now which is ok most the time but I wish it was closer to 2-1/2" - 3". The corners are where I have the biggest issue, it's only 1/2" overhang where the legs connect.
Ben LeBlanc
Member
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2015
- Messages
- 17
Wonder if there is any way to make a quick vise mount. Maybe a jig that fits over a corner hole with mounting holes backed with welded nuts?
Just thinking cause I like a vise on the ole table, but also love the fact that all of your table is workspace. A quick connect vise would be a cool add on.
And do you treat the surface with anything? I am looking for a way to keep an outdoor table bare...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Just thinking cause I like a vise on the ole table, but also love the fact that all of your table is workspace. A quick connect vise would be a cool add on.
And do you treat the surface with anything? I am looking for a way to keep an outdoor table bare...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
fnieto
Well-known member
2" receiver would work great for quick on/off vise or other jigs. For the raw top, you could try waxing with carnauba to preserve the top outside, but reapplication would be on a regular basis.
jesse72
Well-known member
That is a awesome and well thought out table! Thanks for sharing, do you have any pictures of how you built your workbench as well? I really like the incorporated tool boxes and the parts organizers too. Great work!
karlgabel2
New member
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2008
- Messages
- 4
Thanks for sharing the design - a couple of questions:
1.) How often do you need to lube the legs?
2.) Does the drill you showed have any issues with adjusting the legs under load?
Awesome!
1.) How often do you need to lube the legs?
2.) Does the drill you showed have any issues with adjusting the legs under load?
Awesome!
McLean
Well-known member
Very innovative. Nice job torched!
Are you using standard receiver tubing for the legs or something different?
Are you using standard receiver tubing for the legs or something different?
My garage is built over an asphalt driveway which slopes about 8" over 16' where a lot of my boxes and equipment are. I've been stressing about pouring concrete to level it so I can put a welding surface over my 42" box. That plus the fact that anything heavy sinks into the asphalt over time and goes off level makes your design perfect for my needs. Your table will be ideal and will save pouring concrete in the interim.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Feint Motion
Member
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2015
- Messages
- 6
Nice work bench!
Duker
Well-known member
Missed this thread along the way. Great looking table. Would love to see some more pics of the rest of the shop.
Iggi
Well-known member
Very nice table. Well thought out.
I've not yet had to add any lube to the legs and it still works smoothly. So far I haven't had any load on the table that the drill couldn't handle, if necessary a standard ratchet and socket will operate the table without issue, just takes a little longer.
Tyler2
Member
THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I NEED! Every piece of equipment in my shop is on wheels... But my current work table is way too low. If you ever have time I would really appreciate if you would not mind explaining how you made your adjusters.
Thank for the great post!
Paul b - New Guy
Thank for the great post!
Paul b - New Guy
E12-535iTurbo
Well-known member
OK guys, Let me first apologize for being MIA on this for so long. Here is a rough drawing I made that will hopefully answer most of the questions on the design of the legs.
Not pictured but necessary (in my opinion) is a large fender washer between the underside nut and the "plate" at the top of the leg with plenty of grease. Also you can see in the original pictures that I put a jam bolt on each leg to remove any movement in the legs.
Hope this helps. Thanks for all of the input and positive comments.
Putting things together
I love the work you do Paul!
I have been dabbling with building benches out on hospital beds for a few years. My first attempt wasn't the greatest, But it did do the job and is still in use today. I acquired a couple of the foot pump up beds a while back and decided to build a welding bench as I just got a new mig welder. I have included some pics to show what I came up with. I shortened the bed top to the length of the base and centred it to the base. I raised the top 300mm (11.8)in to make it a good height for working. I completely redesigned the part that used to be the upper body raiser and turned it around to become an extra bench on the end, And with a pull of a leaver, I can lower it out of the way down the side. I also used the bedhead clips and made and extra addon bench on the other ended if needed. I mounted my mig welder underneath the top and made fittings to hold cables and welding helmet. I also added a 4 point power board to allow me to use grinders and other tools. Size of the bench on its own is 1260mm x 870mm, (49in x 33in) The extra add-on benches adds 500mm (19in) to each end of the bench. I kept the tilt action as I found its handy when welding angles. I can adjust the height from 650mm to 1000mm (25in to 39in) it has brakes to stop it from moving. Its very stable.
Attachments
fast85pony
Member
- Joined
- May 9, 2011
- Messages
- 13
Very creative repurpose!
richeyc2000
Well-known member
Hi Torched,
By any chance do you still have all the images of your build? I just returned to this one to look at all the elements as I am looking for a new build and loved yours.
Thanks
Richie
By any chance do you still have all the images of your build? I just returned to this one to look at all the elements as I am looking for a new build and loved yours.
Thanks
Richie
Looks like photbucket which is who I used to link my pictures has locked everyone's account down unless you pay them a yearly user fee of $400. Suffice to say I'm looking for another 3rd party host. I'll try to get them back up soon.
richeyc2000
Well-known member
It's like extortion by photobucket. A lot of the boards and forums have been decimated by photobucket.
Hope to see them back up soon. Thanks.
Hope to see them back up soon. Thanks.
aptdweller
Well-known member
I would like to second that request - I'm looking to build a new table and Photobucket has put the brakes on that.
richeyc2000
Well-known member
Legend. Thanks so much
aptdweller
Well-known member
Torched - thanks for re-uploading, I really appreciate that.