Small Welding - Fixture Table build

[truckinduc]

Hey guys Im building a small Fixture table for building various parts like control arms.

I wanted the table to be a relatively small size and be able to rotate so i can weld without changing positions unnecessarily. I designed it to have a single post leg in the center and a large low profile base.

I found a good candidate at work in the form of a 22" x 26" (roughly) blanch ground Plate that measures 25mm thick, (almost an inch).

Its got various tapped holes in it, mostly 10mm through holes, and some other features that will come in handy, like the big bores and 2 chamfered corners.

Right now im in the process of designing the frame that will support the plate. Without the proper support the thick 140lb plate wont have any chance of staying flat. The frame will look similar to an office chair bottom with 4 legs coming out of a central post. Ill incorporate a tapered bearing in the post to make the table rotate easy even when loaded down.

In the end I hope to maintain somewhere around .001" flatness from edge to edge.

Im in the early stages but ill post pictures as I progress.

These will be the 4 corner bosses that are welded to the 1"x2" tubing for the framework, they are 1" OD. (the chamfers are for the welds to come)

 

[bob_the_builder]

I can't want to see how it turns out. I have approvingly the same size plate and I have been trying to come up with a good way to make the frame.

Bob

 

[truckinduc]

Started notching the tubes. I could have easily used a hole saw but I figured I'd just write a program on my lunch break instead.

 

[truckinduc]

Tacked them up. Here you can see the design. I kept everything flat for ease of clamping. Table is upside down if you don't realize it.

 

[rslaback]

Not to **** in your Cheerios but have you considered going with only 3 legs (for stability) and putting locking casters on each of the legs? If you did go with casters not only could you roll it around the shop to where you wanted it (and it wouldn't rock with 3 legs) but you would not need the tapered bearing as it would roll on the base instead.

 

[truckinduc]

I haven't designed the foot yet. The 4 legged thing is what the table top plate bolts to. The foot will probably be a 2 or 3 foot round base with 3 bolts for feet. Locking castors would be nice but they would be pretty tall and get in the way of my foot pedal when welding. Thanks for the constructive criticism though.

 

[Seiler]

Subscribed. This looks like it should end up with really neat results. Please keep us posted!!

Scott

 

[bullnerd]

Looks cool so far.

Something different.

Nice craftsmanship too.

 

[firecracker]

That's one great plate you found, and a handy size, wish I could come onto one.
Will be keeping an eye on your build.

 

[truckinduc]

Got the bosses welded up. I tried to keep all the welds flush so I wouldn't have to grind much off. Turned out decent, and I've decided to change the frame design a little. Not only will the top spin it will now also tilt. This should pay off in the long run when I have to weld some hard to reach spots on awkward fixtures.

 

[truckinduc]

Subscribed. This looks like it should end up with really neat results. Please keep us posted!!

Scott

Looks cool so far.

Something different.

Nice craftsmanship too.

That's one great plate you found, and a handy size, wish I could come onto one.
Will be keeping an eye on your build.

I can't want to see how it turns out. I have approvingly the same size plate and I have been trying to come up with a good way to make the frame.

Bob

Thanks guys, I hope this thing turns out as well as I have it planned in my dead.

 

[bullnerd]

Thats cool, I was thinking it would be sweet if it tilted also.

Looking forward to it.

 

[truckinduc]

Started the design of the tilt hinge.

 

[EdT]

You're pretty well off in the direction you've chosen, but you might want to take a look at this. It is a really elegant solution to the positioning problem. http://www.homemadetools.net/builder/Claude+Ouellet

 

[truckinduc]

Thanks for that link. I really like the design of that setup.

 

[truckinduc]

I really wish I had a magnetic drill press for times like this

 

[bullnerd]

Yeah, how'd you keep it from sliding off the table?

 

[truckinduc]

Once it was in place it was no trouble keeping it there. Lifting the 140 lb plate vertically 18 inches was a task though, especially since I was alone and only weigh 140 lbs myself.

 

[bullnerd]

That was a joke, see, your picture is sideways so I.....ahh nevermind.

Looks good.

 

[truckinduc]

That's odd. All the pictures are showing up correctly for me.

 

[truckinduc]

Here is the start of the center pivot. I have decided against using bearings.

 

[Stooge]

That was a joke, see, your picture is sideways so I.....ahh nevermind.

Looks good.

pictures are sideways for me too

This is looking like a pretty cool project, definitely interested to see how the pivoting aspect will come together, and should be damn useful too!

 

[truckinduc]

I'm posting from my phone so that probably has something to do with the sideways pictures. I wish I knew how to correct it but I don't.

 

[truckinduc]

skimmed my arms or whatever you want to call them to make sure they are flat

made the center pivot piece and machined the arms to fit.. Keep in mind i did the machining at work and the plate is at home. Apparently i got all my math right because the i couldnt have asked for a better fit with the parts.

 

[bullnerd]

I was going to say...why not drill the holes on the VMC? But you answered that question.

Pretty cool, gonna be nice.

 

[truckinduc]

got the plate frame all welded up

 

[truckinduc]

 

[truckinduc]

Added a groove to my pivot pin to keep the table top from working its way out when being rotated when its set at 90 degrees.

 

[Zeke]

This is going to be a work of art.

 

[1953mercury]

you might want to drill and tap your hub for a grease zirk. Just a thought. Nice looking piece. Mike

 

[truckinduc]

This is going to be a work of art.

Thanks I hope so.

you might want to drill and tap your hub for a grease zirk. Just a thought. Nice looking piece. Mike

Ya I'm thinking of running dry graphite as a lubricant. I'm not sure what would happen with the graphite if I accidentally ground through it while welding though.

 

[1/2 Cup]

One word ... "Excellence"....

 

[NASTYZEN]

Cool project. It's shaping up to be a thing of beauty.
Subscribed.

 

[PugetDude]

Nice work! Your welds are what I wish mine looked like...

 

[PCustoms]

I need one of these, time to save the next machine able that is headed for the dumpster...

 

[truckinduc]

One word ... "Excellence"....

Cool project. It's shaping up to be a thing of beauty.
Subscribed.

Nice work! Your welds are what I wish mine looked like...

I need one of these, time to save the next machine able that is headed for the dumpster...

Thanks guys, i appreciate the comments.

 

[truckinduc]

here is the overgrown tube notcher ive been using

 

[truckinduc]

 

[truckinduc]

finally finished up all the pieces for the hinge

 

[Wes917]

Looking real good man, love the idea and attention to detail.