Projects Building a new fab table: Somewhat budget consious

[need louvers ?]

...And I was too smart to buy the Tom Saywer routine that Hot Rod Ron fell for! Well, kinda... Hey, what the hell you doin' on the H.A.M.B.? Aren't we goin' to Austin?

[ELpolacko]

Uhhhm, wrapping up a few loose ends.

[Mr48chev]

That is one world class table. I like the idea of being able to bolt the fixtures to it like that as I've seen a couple of them that they would weld the uprights to and then cut them off when they needed to change position.

[bodi]

Have fun in Austin guys! What an amazing table. If I ever manage to buy a house, I may have to have you cut me some less fancy legs.... If you need me to stop by the shop, and check on the table, leave it some food/water, have Chip give me a call. I'll check on the dog too.

[need louvers ?]

Are you suggesting that the table eats and drinks, or are you just confusing the table and woody? It has happened...

[bodi]

Just judging from appearances, I would guess that that table drinks scotch old enough to order its' own scotch. I can always tell the difference with Woody, he barks just enough to make me think I must be a bad guy.

[A31ModelA]

Steve that frame is gorgeous. Ok I totally understand the idea of being able to reach things and it makes sense for sure. I think I Need to start workin out and stretching more. haha Then I will be more flexible. I too thought of the Adjustable stand, but its a lot of work to move one up and down and keep it perfectly flat and squared. Each type of table has its own intended purpose. Buttttt A flat table like yours to me is more versatile than the others. I plan on having many fixtures to assemble parts so a flat table with jig areas is a must. Although for many an open table is perfect. You can build and mock everything up and leave it hanging off the sides or on the chassis without having to worry about it hitting the top of the table. Those tables to me are mostly for specific chassis building and dragster building. Anyhow thanks for the input. It won't be too long and My buddy Mike and I will be working on another table. Would be nice to have a water jet or plasma table too :P

In time things will fall into place.

[draider]

When a man has as much pride in building his tools as he does his products, that's the sign of a true craftsman. Elpolacko proves he's a craftsman with everything he builds. Great work.

[Ass kissing/off]

[A31ModelA]

Originally Posted by draider

When a man has as much pride in building his tools as he does his products, that's the sign of a true craftsman. Elpolacko proves he's a craftsman with everything he builds. Great work.

[Ass kissing/off]

You hit the nail on the head with this. His tools and work is with out a doubt built with love and devotion.

[Joe Jackman]

Originally Posted by ELpolacko

Almost done with another long day on this thing.

First thing this morning I put the base on stands, paper and plastic-d the area and sought out some paint. I try and use a Hammerite type product but I forgot to order some. I have used the Rust-Oleum hammered metal finish on other stuff so I picked up four cans and went nuts.

And now I'm GREEN!


All painted up, time to put the feet on and move some cars around and place this thing and level out the frame in preparation for the surface plate.



I broke out a long straight edge to see if the plate had any wave to it. If it did, I would make the surface concave a then weld the plate to the frame from the underside. But as luck would have it, this thing is really flat. There is a little bit of bow to it lengthwise. So I decided that I would bolt it down using 1/2"-13 flat head bolts tapped into the channel.


Once I had the plate squared and centered to the table I scored a centerline down the middle of the plate. Then started laying out the first four mounting bolts on one end.


I center punched then pilot drilled the holes and drilled to my tap drill size. I needed to create a clearance hole in the top plate and I didn't want to drill past the top plate, so I machined a sleeve to slip over the 1/2" drill bit.

Then hit all four holes with the 82º bit, did a bit of cleaning and cinched it down good.

That's it for tonight. Going to continue to punch and thread holes until I can't stand it.

And for the randomness of it all, enjoy!

"I broke out a long straight edge to see if the plate had any wave to it. If it did, I would make the surface concave a then weld the plate to the frame from the underside."

you would make the plate concave with heat form an oxy acetylene torch?

once the plate was concave, welding the plate to the frame would force the plate to become flat?

[Tman]

Joe, please learn how to reply without linking all the previous photos. That shit is annoying and uses up bandwidth. You can cut them out of the reply box with a right-click drag, they will turn light blue and you hit backspace to delete .

[need louvers ?]

Originally Posted by Tman

Joe, please learn how to reply without linking all the previous photos. That shit is annoying and uses up bandwidth. You can cut them out of the reply box with a right-click drag, they will turn light blue and you hit backspace to delete .

Thanks T-Man, been trying to figure that out my self.

[Joe Jackman]

Originally Posted by Tman

Joe, please learn how to reply without linking all the previous photos. That shit is annoying and uses up bandwidth. You can cut them out of the reply box with a right-click drag, they will turn light blue and you hit backspace to delete .

wasn't sure it was okay to do that. i went back and edited the photos out.

[Tman]

Originally Posted by need louvers ?

Thanks T-Man, been trying to figure that out my self.

Jeeze Chip? I thought you were brighter!?!??!?!

Seriously, I learn new tips weekly. Things like when you are looking for info on Oil Squirters for the pistons, just dont type OIL SQUIRTERS in the search window! Amazing what the human body can do!

[need louvers ?]

Ha you give me too much credit sir! Now as to the other stuff, I HAVE learned how to operate browsers the girlfriend will NEVER know about, (crap, pretty sure 'Polacko taught me that too...) and I'm sure to what you refer to has several sights of it's own...

[fiftyv8]

Originally Posted by ELpolacko

Thanks again.

Why so low? Well I don't like lifting 300+ pound frames more than a foot or two off the ground. Plus, when The frame is on the table, I can put it on stands and assemble the entire suspension and check things out and measure. And when I'm building I can reach the center of the frame for welding or whatever without having to stand on a crate.

There was another thread asking about an adjustable height frame table, I think it's a good idea and one you might look into.

This style works well for me.

I just finished racking this frame up Monday. What a mess this thing is.

http://s206.photobucket.com/albums/b...uto%20Auction/

I met up with Steve a couple of weeks back and inspected the table 1st hand and it is a great work platform and piece of art all at the same time.
Nice work Steve, I've learnt to expect no less from all the projects you take on, be it workshop equipment of hot rod work.

All ways great to catch up and thanks for the shop tour to boot.

[ELpolacko]

Originally Posted by Joe Jackman

you would make the plate concave with heat form an oxy acetylene torch?

once the plate was concave, welding the plate to the frame would force the plate to become flat?

Yes, when ever you heat steel and let it cool rapidly it shrinks. Ever done any sheet metal work with a stainless shrinking disc?

[Joe Jackman]

Originally Posted by ELpolacko

Yes, when ever you heat steel and let it cool rapidly it shrinks. Ever done any sheet metal work with a stainless shrinking disc?

no, i never have. any links to information on how to use one?

[Tman]

Originally Posted by Joe Jackman

no, i never have. any links to information on how to use one?

Just type shrinking disk into the search window. MANY threads on here and the web dealing with them.

[ELpolacko]

Tman is correct. There are several threads dealing with metal shrinking.

Try this for yourself. Set up a T joint out of scrap tube. Make it as square as possible and just tack one side with what ever welder you have available. Watch how much the weld pulls your T joint out of square.

This pull happens every time you weld, or rapidly heat and cool metal.