Welding turntables?

**jtybt** · 03-10-2010, 01:57 AM

Need ideas on how to make a turntable to run a bead more than 3/4" at a time around a tube/base.

I have a small 2'X2' rolling welding table that fits under my bigger table. I'd like to have a removable turntable for it. Also how to attach the ground.

Any ideas?

**performance** · 03-10-2010, 03:22 AM

Do you want a powered wheel or a wheel on a spindle that you can turn with your knees? Either way a circular plate welded to a round shaft that runs down through two pillar blocks at the bottom is the best solution to get started. Or you can buy a welding postitioner.

The "ground" work attachment is easy. A copper battery strap that rubs or makes contact permanently with the axle will work. Do not run it through the bearing surfaces though.

**jtybt** · 03-10-2010, 05:08 AM

Hey, I wasn't thinking of being able to make it turn with my knee or something. Good idea. I've seen those braided battery ground straps. That sounds good too.

Thanky

**jtybt** · 03-10-2010, 05:49 AM

Damn! Just Damn!
Asked at Weldingweb, too, and got this link

http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=39503

Now I'm just gonna have to convert the rolling table to a turntable. Got a Harbor Freight flux-core welder on the bottom shelf I'll have to move. Luckily I have a little cart I used to have a MIG on before I put it on the TIG cart.

Running out of room again.

**geezer** · 03-10-2010, 04:57 PM

An old car engine flywheel & some bearings on a shaft for a mount makes a nice round table that can be turned as you need it or tilted if you make the shaft tiltable. Cost should be very cheap, there are lots kicking around at the scrap yard. Holes can be drilled at various locations on the flywheel for mounting fixtures etc.

**jtybt** · 03-10-2010, 08:32 PM

I actually have a few flywheels around. They're a bit too heavy and too big in diameter. I'm thinking 1/4 or 3/8 inch thick and about 10" in diameter.

**geezer** · 03-11-2010, 04:04 AM

10 inches in dia. is too small to be of much use, I have seen a few with 8 & 10 inch 4 jaw chucks on them and quick detach mounts for large vises or the 4 jaw chuck. If you need something that small you may as well buy one of those rotatable vises that swivels and mount it on an upright pipe welded to a large truck rim. I have one of those vises and it works pretty well for holding objects, it swivels and rotates. Handy item for the shop.

**jtybt** · 03-11-2010, 06:50 AM

What I mostly need it for is welding the uprights to bases...1" boat railings. 18-20 or more at a time.

**geezer** · 03-12-2010, 03:10 AM

In that case I would use a flat plate over a set of lazy suzan bearings and an old lathe chuck set on that. I use old lathe chucks to position things. That should be small simple, rotatable and solid enough to hold position for you.
Lazy suzan bearings are cheap to buy at most home builder/ cabinet shops

**jtybt** · 03-12-2010, 03:20 PM

Gotcha!

Turns out the weather is getting better and I have to make a 3 point hitch system on a lawn tractor so I can pull a small section of ivy so I can seed it for grass.

Lots of projects opening up. Boy do I need the power plasma 50 to come in NOW!

**Gary** · 07-29-2010, 11:28 PM

Now I want one ,, Might be another project on the list now.
I am thinking of using a $50 indexer on an adjustable 2 way milling vise "Harbor freight" cheap and a DC geared motor with a variable speed reostat.........
Might be doable.....and on the cheap..
Gary

**geezer** · 07-30-2010, 07:24 AM

Originally Posted by Gary

Now I want one ,, Might be another project on the list now.
I am thinking of using a $50 indexer on an adjustable 2 way milling vise "Harbor freight" cheap and a DC geared motor with a variable speed reostat.........
Might be doable.....and on the cheap..
Gary

Anything that does not kill our pocket book, makes us stronger.
geezer

**Gary** · 08-23-2010, 12:18 AM

Well I found a nice geared motor in my garage when I was cleaning out the mess to make room for my almost finished welding cart.Seems like when you think you are done you get ideas to ad stuff, like a TANK RACK duhh..
I need to ad that and a few other things , Sorry back to why I responded , I found a nice powerful geared drive motor that I might be able to ad a reostat to to give variable speed to a 4 inch rotary indexer that I have had laying around for a 4th axis on my cnc but never did so I am goin to put the 2 together when I get time to make a few brackets and it should turn out to be an ok little positioner. I can just ad a 8 inch lathe backplate that I have to it and it should work fine . I will try to get pictures if I can..
Gary

**Stelfabulous** · 12-02-2010, 09:15 PM

I worked for a guy and his turntable was a variable speed drill frankensteined.

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Welding turntables?

Get an old car flywheel & some bearings

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