Tools mounted on hitches

[jkesselr]

Hey guys, I have a new fab table I want to mount tools to using quick change hitches like on the back of a truck. Can any of you post some of your hitch mount tools like this and any tips or tricks like the best way to mount the hitch, materials to use, things you wished you’d have thought of to mount, etc.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I'll play... Let me find my old post...ok, can't find my post, but here's my pics.

I used 2" ID made for hitches (no seam inside) and then I used 2" OD hitch for the HD stuff, and then thin wall 2" OD for the light weight stuff.

I have a couple receivers (2" ID with tabs welded on them) bolted on to the weld table etc.

These pics are 2 years old and I have actually added more since then. I just did a 10" Craftsman wood vise for this as well since I did not have any other way to mount it at this time.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

And I made a 90 degree attachment for it with a short side and a long side, and run the shrinker, stretcher, shear, Wilton ATV vise, tubing bender, etc in it.

I drilled and tapped it for 5/16 brass screws that I milled a little groove on and epoxied a small handle.

And I made an extension just in case.

 

[garfunkle24]

I'll play... Let me find my old post...ok, can't find my post, but here's my pics.

I used 2" ID made for hitches (no seam inside) and then I used 2" OD hitch for the HD stuff, and then thin wall 2" OD for the light weight stuff.

I have a couple receivers (2" ID with tabs welded on them) bolted on to the weld table etc.

These pics are 2 years old and I have actually added more since then. I just did a 10" Craftsman wood vise for this as well since I did not have any other way to mount it at this time.

Dave, what are the wheels called on the grinder you show mounted up to the bench?

Thanks

 

[Mohawk Dave]

3M radial bristle disc

 

[garfunkle24]

3M radial bristle disc

Thanks! How have they held up for you? I got one of these, lasted about 2 minutes:

 

[jkesselr]

I'll play... Let me find my old post...ok, can't find my post, but here's my pics.

I used 2" ID made for hitches (no seam inside) and then I used 2" OD hitch for the HD stuff, and then thin wall 2" OD for the light weight stuff.

I have a couple receivers (2" ID with tabs welded on them) bolted on to the weld table etc.

These pics are 2 years old and I have actually added more since then. I just did a 10" Craftsman wood vise for this as well since I did not have any other way to mount it at this time.

Exactly what I was after! How long did you make the receiver tubes? What wall thickness did you use?

 

[lis2323]

Here’s a few of mine for examples.

 

[lis2323]

Here’s a few shots of bench mount receivers used to anchor benders.

 

[Jagmandave]

I admire the ingenuity of mounting all that stuff to one "tree", but lifting all that heavy stuff and mounting it every time I wanted to use it would get old in a hurry.

 

[senlow]

Thanks! How have they held up for you? I got one of these, lasted about 2 minutes:

I use the 3M radial bristle disc that Mohawk Dave uses. They last quite a while. The bristles slowly wear away to expose new abrasive. Just don't spin 'em backwards. This will cause a wheel to shed it's bristles in seconds.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I admire the ingenuity of mounting all that stuff to one "tree", but lifting all that heavy stuff and mounting it every time I wanted to use it would get old in a hurry.

Agreed...but SF ran out quick. I had to go vertical. One day I'll have a big shop and have everything mounted permanently.... Just doing what I can with what I have right now.

Besides, I eat my spinach and drink my milk.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Exactly what I was after! How long did you make the receiver tubes? What wall thickness did you use?

The tubing specifically made for trailer hitches and receivers is around .250".... I just went to my metal yard and told them to give me a stick of each.

I think the lightweight tubing I use for the buffers and stuff is 2" x .120" wall seamwall.....real cheap.

I only use the HD inner tube on stuff like my Roper Whitney punch and tube benders etc....you know, having a 200lb gorilla push and pull on it.

I mostly used scrap 3/16” plate for mounting bases...drilled and tapped to hold the tool.

Tip: I put 2" long tabs/legs under the mounting bases because I found if you ever want to set it on the ground or the workbench temporarily it will just teeter to one side or the other if it's only sitting on the 2-inch tubing....that might be confusing but you can see the tabs sticking off the underside of the grinder am I above photo.

 

[garfunkle24]

I use the 3M radial bristle disc that Mohawk Dave uses. They last quite a while. The bristles slowly wear away to expose new abrasive. Just don't spin 'em backwards. This will cause a wheel to shed it's bristles in seconds.

Thanks! I appreciate the info

 

[jkesselr]

Wow, thanks guys! Great posts! I like the idea of tabs to avoid tippiness.

I like some of the vertical mounts as well!

 

[jkesselr]

Also, I was thinking about welding the receiver tube to the bottom of my tabletop. The thought of drilling and tapping or through bolting 1” plate doesn’t seem fun. I am thinking a couple 1” welds per side of a 6-9” receiver tube. Any thoughts on that?

Also, how long should I make the receiver? 6”? 8”?

 

[Fatboy148]

Tip: I put 2" long tabs/legs under the mounting bases because I found if you ever want to set it on the ground or the workbench temporarily it will just teeter to one side or the other if it's only sitting on the 2-inch tubing....that might be confusing but you can see the tabs sticking off the underside of the grinder am I above photo.

Most excellent input. Thanks to both you and Lis2323 for your pictures.

 

[lis2323]

Tip: I put 2" long tabs/legs under the mounting bases because I found if you ever want to set it on the ground or the workbench temporarily it will just teeter to one side or the other if it's only sitting on the 2-inch tubing....that might be confusing but you can see the tabs sticking off the underside of the grinder am I above photo.

This is what Dave is talking about [emoji106]