Posted by Chris Ray on October 28, 1997 at 10:13:44:

In Reply to: Re: STRAIGHTENING A WELDING TABLE TOP posted by Chris Ray on October 27, 1997 at 12:41:57:

In a message dated 97-10-28 04:07:12 EST, lmarshal@scruznet.com (Lee Marshall) writes:

drop in cast iron cones that raise the plate 3" off of the surface and

just the points of the cones are touching the plate. >">

Yeah Lee, these are the best kind of welding tables of all and I have to agree. Around here they are known as Acorn tables and they are cast in Philadelphia. In fact you can even contact the foundry and they will sell you used tables reground etc. since they obviously buy back their own tables maybe at auctions, I don't know. I guess even this company believes in their own product to do that.

What is especially nice about these tables are the various ways you can utilize the square holes and Lee pointed out one use. The cones simply slip into the holes and there is very little contact with the metal to be torchcut when placed on top. There are hold downs which you simply tap into place (fast and convenient) plus one legged adjustable clamps and a bunch of other stuff to.

Of course for those of us who may have plate tables instead, it's a simple matter to make torch burning lifts using angle iron or any other material that can be set on the table top. If you can find them cheap enough you could even use a number of magnetic guage holders that are used by machinists. The central rod can be cut to size for your standoffs, and these could be placed precisely under your work to be torch cut.

For whatever reasons we may have, sometimes we choose an alternative to the best standard method or most appropriate device available. When we do that and also want the convenience of what something else may offer then we have to find workarounds. For flat plate welding tables there are powerful magnetic hold down clamps that can be had and this is a substitute for the hold down stakes. The large magnetic clamps are expensive however, but if that's what you need then you spring for the buckos.

When you can pick up a cast iron welding table with a square hole grid

>for drive-in hold downs for $500 at an auction, where is the economic

>justification of making your own?

There is one advantage to having a heavy plate welding table over the cast acorn one and perhaps there is justification. If your type of work calls for precise layout like gates or railings for instance, then the design is chalked onto the table top itself. This way you can weld alignment jigs and hold down supports directly on the table, do your work within the set up and not disturb the drawing underneath. Afterward you simply knock off the supports and grind off the welds on the table top. So the best is not always the best, it depends on your particular needs.

Chris Ray

Follow Ups:

: Yeah Lee, these are the best kind of welding tables of all and I have to agree. Around here they are known as Acorn tables and they are cast in Philadelphia. In fact you can even contact the foundry and they will sell you used tables reground etc. since they obviously buy back their own tables maybe at auctions, I don't know. I guess even this company believes in their own product to do that. : What is especially nice about these tables are the various ways you can utilize the square holes and Lee pointed out one use. The cones simply slip into the holes and there is very little contact with the metal to be torchcut when placed on top. There are hold downs which you simply tap into place (fast and convenient) plus one legged adjustable clamps and a bunch of other stuff to. : Of course for those of us who may have plate tables instead, it's a simple matter to make torch burning lifts using angle iron or any other material that can be set on the table top. If you can find them cheap enough you could even use a number of magnetic guage holders that are used by machinists. The central rod can be cut to size for your standoffs, and these could be placed precisely under your work to be torch cut. : For whatever reasons we may have, sometimes we choose an alternative to the best standard method or most appropriate device available. When we do that and also want the convenience of what something else may offer then we have to find workarounds. For flat plate welding tables there are powerful magnetic hold down clamps that can be had and this is a substitute for the hold down stakes. The large magnetic clamps are expensive however, but if that's what you need then you spring for the buckos. : >When you can pick up a cast iron welding table with a square hole grid : >for drive-in hold downs for $500 at an auction, where is the economic : >justification of making your own? : There is one advantage to having a heavy plate welding table over the cast acorn one and perhaps there is justification. If your type of work calls for precise layout like gates or railings for instance, then the design is chalked onto the table top itself. This way you can weld alignment jigs and hold down supports directly on the table, do your work within the set up and not disturb the drawing underneath. Afterward you simply knock off the supports and grind off the welds on the table top. So the best is not always the best, it depends on your particular needs. : Chris Ray " />