Good idea for a welding table

[Wallace]

Or a perhaps a clutch off something about landrover size c/w release bearings there should be enough pressure there to lock the ball under most conditions.

That's a blinding idea, proper thinking out of the box!

 

[MattF]

It seems to me you could use a hefty compression spring over a central bar and use a foot pedal lever that locks in a cut out to compress the spring when you want it locking rather than messing around with a hydraulic jack & two levers.

Thought similar. Perfect application for a vehicle suspension spring. Like you say, a lot easier just pressing one pedal to remove the tension, plus the ball is locked in place by default.

 

[pidgeon chit welder]

Mind I have a disabled buggy and a torridal TX + 24 volt screw rams capable of lifiting 18 stone out of an electric rise and sit chair c/w control unit to play with if I ever regain any fitness .

Now that is cooking on gas .

The ball could sit on a fixed but adjustable in height via a simple screw thread lifter cupped plate , with the keeper ring snugly above the ball and a simple lever brake or flexi brake band at the equator of the ball , operated by the screw ram to lock the ball to a curved vertical metal surface such as quadrent off a brake drum .
I reckon that would be much easier on knackered knee caps and gnarled hands etc

 

[the repair man]

That is genius, I always invent things like this just after I've seen them.
Think I'm going to build one, and use my missus's head instead of bowling ball.
God dammit, another thing I just have to have...my workshop simply isn't big enough.

 

[deadbanana0717]

Oh wow... I know what I'm making... haven't. Made a welding table yet... aweeesommeeeeee....