Blanchard grinding a welding table?

[bad_idea]

I have a 2'x4' welding table w/ a 3/4" thick top that is a little less than flat. The thread asking how to achieve a blanchard finish at home was the first time I ever heard of such a thing. Can a machine shop grind the top of my weld table if I bring it to them? How much would be a fair price to expect for that? How much material can be removed and is usually removed? I think there is an 1/8" of variance across the bench. I'm not looking for perfection, just flatter.

 

[JSGAuto]

Yes, it can be done.

Bring just the top! Most of the machines don't have a lot (relative) of vertical motion. (like a 40" tall table)

The machines come in all sizes. Large machines can do 4' X 8' (and bigger) plates.

They can remove any amount of material you want. Just specify to them that your not as concerned with flat and parallel, but more with the nice surface finish.

Use this language.... "Grind until surface cleans up" That should limit the time (and cost) and limit material removed.

Price will really depend on location and local labor cost. In reality, maybe a 1/2hr worth of machine time, by the time the plate goes on and off the machine.

Jim

 

[bad_idea]

The top plate is 2 pieces of channel welded together. I ground a 3/8" bevel and welded it flush. Then ground it flush. When welding it I stitched two pieces of 1x3 channel across the top of the two larger pieces of channel to act as a strong back. It still pulled though. About an 1/8" or so. Dang. To compound the issue, the top is welded to 3x3x1/4" angle legs. To take in just the top I would have to cut it off of the table frame .

 

[BD1]

post a picture with a straight edge so we can see the imperfection .

 

[coldfusion21]

It doesn't sound like your table is a good candidate for Blanchard grinding. Your best bet would be to start with a piece of plain plate.

 

[Provincial]

It will be much cheaper to weld a piece of flat plate on top of the structure you have already made. It wouldn't need to be very thick, since you have a strong support underneath.

 

[A**holes Garage]

As heat straightening an option? Have a Oxcy/Acetylene torch with a rosebud?

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/steel/02.cfm

 

[cegreen]

As heat straightening an option? Have a Oxcy/Acetylene torch with a rosebud?

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/steel/02.cfm

What a great site! I know absolutely nothing about this stuff, but I knew heat bending and straightening are possible.

Very interesting - thanks for the link!

-Chris