Welding table clamps (similar to Miller)

[crazybrit]

I recently bought the steel to make a portable welding table similar to the Miller Arcstation 30FX.

I was going to cut 3/4" wide channels using a plasma-cutter (and some kind of sacrificial guide that I've not figured out yet).

I like the idea of the Miller clamps (link to pic) but even the discounted online price ($39) is hard to stomach.

I was pondering making similar by cannibalizing a standard 6" C clamp and welding on a base. I have a mill/lathe so making the base/boss should be straightforward but most of the inexpensive C clamps I'm finding are made out of cast-iron and I'm not convinced that's going to weld particularly well (doubly so as I'm a beginning welder).

Curious if anyone has made similar and what they started with? Maybe there is a better way to approach this? I've not found a source for cheap drop-forged steel framed clamps.

 

[yaidunno]

Considering what it would take to make one that is true and has the strength of the one in question, i'd just pony up some cash. I'm guessing 3-4 clamps would be all that you need?

Don't get me wrong, i'm all for making my own stuff, but there comes a point where there is a trade off for cost vs. the time invested. Considering what all went into making that clamp, i'd say the price is pretty reasonable.

If you absolutely had to make it, i'd make the arch out of 3/4 or 1" solid bar, machine up some threaded inserts that matched some donor clamp screws, cut out the pie shaped piece, and spin up the slot slide part. Even with out labor, i'd have a hard time making 3-4 of those for less then $40 each when you figure donor clamps, steel, oxy/act, power for the welder, a tap to match the acme threads, etc...

 

[crazybrit]

trade off for cost vs. the time invested. Considering what all went into making that clamp, i'd say the price is pretty reasonable.

I like making jigs/accessories as I find it's a way of perfecting your skills. No doubt if you were to put a $value on the cost of your time it's not worth it but if this was the case most of the stuff posted here would probably never get made

Making the arch out of solid bar sounds somewhat tricky but maybe I'm not understanding your suggestion?

Also I wasn't sure if it was possible to remove/reinstall the swivel foot off one of the C-clamp screws? This is why why my initial thought was to use an entire C-clamp and just cut the bottom portion of the frame off and then weld on a new base.

 

[ibedayank]

 

[kazlx]

Here's what I did. Although you could make a 'puck' instead of a 'dog'

I used these: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002RJCDFC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The only pic I have is the old clamp I used as a tester.

 

[yaidunno]

I like making jigs/accessories as I find it's a way of perfecting your skills. No doubt if you were to put a $value on the cost of your time it's not worth it but if this was the case most of the stuff posted here would probably never get made

Making the arch out of solid bar sounds somewhat tricky but maybe I'm not understanding your suggestion?

Also I wasn't sure if it was possible to remove/reinstall the swivel foot off one of the C-clamp screws? This is why why my initial thought was to use an entire C-clamp and just cut the bottom portion of the frame off and then weld on a new base.

No trickery with the arch being solid. Thats where the oxy/act torch comes into play.

As for the clamp screws, just cut off one end of the handle and thread out the screw. The feet do not come off, they are swedged in place around a ball. Once its through your new bushing, you can either re flatten the little handle or simply put a bead of weld on it to prevent it from getting lost.

 

[zkling]

Here's what I did. Although you could make a 'puck' instead of a 'dog'

I used these: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002RJCDFC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Dang, thanks for the idea, I'm going to have to try that. Those look handy and easy to make on the cheap, especially for long spans.

 

[Test Tech]

I'm working on building my own welding table (sorry I've not posted pics yet) but I bought a set of machinist dogs (toe clamps) to start my stock of table fitted clamps. On sale at Production tool supply for 35ish dollars, for a set of six or eight clamps if I remember correctly.

the nice thing is that we have a Miller table at work and I've found that the 1/2-13 T-nuts that we use with the machinist dogs will work interchangably with the slots in the Miller table.

 

[lilredex]

I was pondering making similar by cannibalizing a standard 6" C clamp and welding on a base. I have a mill/lathe so making the base/boss should be straightforward but most of the inexpensive C clamps I'm finding are made out of cast-iron and I'm not convinced that's going to weld particularly well (doubly so as I'm a beginning welder).

Curious if anyone has made similar and what they started with? Maybe there is a better way to approach this? I've not found a source for cheap drop-forged steel framed clamps.

I'd go with your original idea of CI "C" clamps and bolt on a base, similar to that shown in that link. That would solve the welding idea.

 

[f150skidoo]

Here's what I did. Although you could make a 'puck' instead of a 'dog'

I used these: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002RJCDFC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The only pic I have is the old clamp I used as a tester.

I'm assuming you got a lathe and turned down those 'dogs' I thought about buying a bunch of cheap clamps and doing exactly what you did instead of buying the strong hand inserta clamps.

 

[kazlx]

Yea, I have a lathe. I'm sure there are plenty of people on this forum (myself included) that would turn something similar for people.

 

[1/2 Cup]

I recently brought these Australian made Dawn Clamps

View media item 37800
Cheers

 

[Mr onetwo]

I'm all for making your own clamps,ect for really good practice.That being said...Zoro has these clamps for $13.81. http://www.zorotools.com/g/00155942/k-G1168054/ Play the coupon code game and you can get a few for cheap money.

 

[Slick111]

Been there done this one thing about the above shown clamps the screw threads will get clogged up with burned on weld splatter and soon jamb I spent hours with a wire brush and a file trying to save them ended up just getting copper plated welding clamps.

 

[ibedayank]

I guess somebody is not smart enough to wrap the exposed threads of welding clamps with wet shop towels...

 

[Mr onetwo]

Been there done this one thing about the above shown clamps the screw threads will get clogged up with burned on weld splatter and soon jamb I spent hours with a wire brush and a file trying to save them ended up just getting copper plated welding clamps.

C'mon guys...all you have to do is spray the threads with some Weld-Aid spray once in a while.

 

[millwrightjeff]

I have used C-clamps for positioning plate on various jobs at work and cut the bottoms off standard clamps and welded bases of mild steel onto them.Standard shielded wire and 7018 rod have both worked in securing the new feet.

 

[Onefastgsx]

I use clamps like these at work every day. Ours are made out of large c-clamps that we cut in half and weld a piece of bar stock to the end I cut. They are stupid easy to make yourself, I dont see why anyone would pay more than what a C-Clamp costs for half of one.

I tack these to the parts im working on 50-60 times a day, and I still get a few months of use out of them without having the clean the threads, and I dont spray them with anything.
Plus, if you have your machine set correctly, there arent that many berries spraying anyway.

 

[f150skidoo]

C'mon guys...all you have to do is spray the threads with some Weld-Aid spray once in a while.

PAM works really well for preventing splatter to stick.