Welding table - fixture table eventually.

[bigegg]

A *long* time ago - probably 20, at least - I "found" 4 pieces of 18mm roadplate.

One of them was converted into a table for an old table saw.
The other 3, after a few years service as a workbench top, have been used as paving for the last five years.

I'm needing a new welding table to make some outrigger cupboards for the trailer, so I've dug them up.



A tickle with the cup brush:


Then a once over with the katsu wide sander, using a 180g wheel.



Then this brushed on.


And rinsed off after ten minutes:



Another going over with the Katsu, and a coat of linseed oil.



Its got a 5mm bow corner to corner, which hopefully will pull out when mounted to the bench.



But its near enough for now.

 

[gaz1]

it wont come out just so your know this

it get some good grinding discs i used dronco ones

give it a layering of griding 2 ways you will drop it down 2mm

put the grinder at more of an acute angle and it will grind off a bigger area than just a point

ive been there myself regreted used steel plate but wasnt aware of the wire wheel for the grinder hated the cheap grinding discs as well

 

[Memmeddu]

I would suggest to weld the parts together and then make the surface flat
Make some bracing underneath to make it stronger and less prone to distortion
Lay down some sketches to be sure to avoid problems if you go for the fixture table idea .
You'll probably gonna need a mag drill .
Anyway later I will draw a sketch so I'll make my idea much more understandable

 

[Screwdriver]

You won't bend that. Do you have access to oxy/acetylene? Flame straighten it or put up with a bent top.

 

[bigegg]

Marked out perimeter holes with the parf jig. (So *very" square)


Drillng 3mm holes through 18mm of jig + 18mm of roadplate is hard on the drill: went through 5 of them drilling out 20 holes. Just shattered as they hit hard spots.


I think i'll just use the parfjig as a guide to spotpunch where i want the holes.

As an aside, the other bit of the jig, although designed to be used with a 20mm piloted forstner bit, can be used with a 10mm straight bit instead.

I only managed one hole though. I think a magdrill will be the way to go.

 

[bigegg]

Considering going plan B.

Cut the plates into 4" wide strips. Bolt down separately with gaps, then each plate can be levelled seperately.
(I might just buy a couple of 6m lengths of 100x12 instead)

Although its going to be "plan C" for now [1] :
Ignore the bend. And/or work round it

I have'nt even checked the other plates: they *might* be flatter.


[1] "now" = next 20 years. or at least until it becomes a problem.

 

[God mode restorations]

Marked out perimeter holes with the parf jig.
View attachment 233610 View attachment 233611

Drillng 3mm holes through 18mm of jig + 18mm of roadplate is hard on the drill: went through 5 of them drilling out 20 holes. Just shattered as they hit hard spots.


I think i'll just use the parfjig as a guide to spotpunch where i want the holes.

As an aside, the other bit of the jig, although designed to be used with a 20mm piloted forstner bit, can be used with a 10mm straight bit instead.

I only managed one hole though. I think a magdrill will be the way to go.

A good old vintage hand cranked drill is what ya need

 

[Woody.v8]

Carver clamps would pull that straight no bother 'if' you're base your pulling too is strong enough

 

[gaz1]

im going the easy way 1x4 inch box section or 2x4 x 3mm thick then i can slide a bolt through and lock it off

 

[bigegg]

A good old vintage hand cranked drill is what ya need

I got rid of mine when i moved house: i'd broke the flywheel dropping it, and thought i'd replace it later.
Jobs like this is when i miss it.

 

[God mode restorations]

I got rid of mine when i moved house: i'd broke the flywheel dropping it, and thought i'd replace it later.
Jobs like this is when i miss it.

Yer I bet. They are slow but ideal for that kind of work. I use mine all the time

 

[nickk]

@bigegg ,what’s that jig thingy?

 

[bigegg]

@bigegg ,what’s that jig thingy?

Its called a "parfjig".
Its used to make extremely accurate 20mm dia holes in a grid on 96mm spacing for a thing called a Festool "multi function table" - but in wood.
Theres a fair few videos on YT about them.

 

[Memmeddu]

@bigegg I'm sorry
I got no time to make the Sketch yet
But I promise it will arrive it will only take a little bit more of time