shop table question for tool mounting .

[sweetk30]

i was planning on using 2" trailer hitch tubes but finding 20-24ft sticks of it in bulk local from dealers is a PITA and shipping it is crazy money to cancel out the deal on the tube .

what other options do you guys use ?

i did look at bulk buy of pre made 2" x 6in long trailer hitch units but the quantity i need its CRAZY money

was thinking maybe round tube ?

but the problem is still what ever i use needs to be seamless or weld removed inside for the inner part to slide in .

i have done a few jobs were i machined out the weld and its TIME x hope it fits good and most need more machined out to make them fit good but not bind up .

i want a clean surface and use my vise / bench grinder / drill press / anvil / rail road iron / other items at most any given point around the table . and i also plan to link 2 tables together as a frame table or other jobs and was going to make 2 turn buckle pins for just this job so when close i just crank them together .

let me know what idea's or options you members have come up with for quantity and budget .

 

[BukitCase]

In my area most mild steel shapes are running right at a buck a pound these days; actual RECEIVER tube (2.530" OD, 2.030" inch ID) has NO seam inside giving .030" clearance for 1/4" wall 2" tube - I make a LOT of attachments for my backhoe and 2 tractors using that combo, if more strength is needed I keep 1/2" and 3/4" flat bar. Anything that bends will get re-done stronger.

The last 20' stick of the 2.53" receiver tube cost me $150 (it weighs 7.56 lbs/foot)

My semi-local steel supplier delivers to my shop (NOT commercial, just me) for FREE on orders over $100, so that's not an issue - there's another SLIGHTLY less local steel outfit that has a REALLY handy chart on their site (free download), I use it so much I have copies on my 'puter AND phone -

https://www.farweststeel.com/resources/weights-gauges/

From my wanderings online, I think my prices could be as much as TWICE what east coasters pay, if so you're welcome for me makin' you FEEL good ... Steve

 

[lis2323]

X2 on all the info Steve (post 2) says.

A buck a pound around here is a bargain btw.


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[gm54210]

I picked up a couple of these weld-on receiver tubes when they were on sale for $9.75. I didn't need any more than that for my needs, though it sounds like you have more extensive plans.

 

[lis2323]

I picked up a couple of these weld-on receiver tubes when they were on sale for $9.75. I didn't need any more than that for my needs, though it sounds like you have more extensive plans.

$19.50 a foot albeit with a drilled hole and reinforcing collar ....


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[sweetk30]

Wish I had seen that deal before . I would of scooped them up FAST @ that price point.

 

[619DioFan]

HF sells a receiver for step bumpers for 20.00. depending on how many you need and the cost of raw steel plus the time spent fabricating from scratch , might be cheaper in the long run at 20.00 a pop.

 

[sweetk30]

Ya those won't work . And cheapest I found per unit is 14.59 shipped and has the pin also .

 

[sberry]

2" x 6in long trailer hitch units but the quantity i need its CRAZY money

How many you need and is the object to make this work or to see how many pieces can be put on?

 

[sberry]

Like air hydrants, put in 10 and 5 years from now find 1 or 2 is used. Aint no point in simply parking more fittings. Did this on a truck, found in 20 years hadnt moved them once. Managed to fabricate a career and never had a single one in the shop.
There are a few places all this makes sense and I really think once a guy does all this feels vested in some of it and has to use it. But too much stuff ruins some really great ideas.