Welding Table Receiver Tubes - A different idea

[Frank R]

I will be building my welding table soon, and I like the idea of mounting my vise on a square tube that inserts into a larger square receiver tube on the table. I have seen pictures of people who mounted them horizontally and vertically.

I was wondering if I could use round tubes in place of the square tubes. If I mounted it horizontally I could pivot the load on the tube sideways. Imagine a vise's base plate welded to the side of the inner tube. When I want to store it I can rotate it on the tube and slide it underneath the table. This way a very heavy vise does not have to be dead lifted vertically and placed in a tube; it just has to be rotated upward.

If designed correctly, the base plate can slide onto the table top in the upright position. A large set screw on the side of the outer tube would secure the load in place.

Similar plates could be used for mounting a grinder and even a chop saw. All positioned around the table so their tubes do not interfere with one another.

Any thoughts?

Can I buy steel tube that has a slip fit into one another?

[TxDarth]

You are going for more options than I needed - I built one last year for my garage needs, I am a retired hobbiest.

I used the hitch receiver welded to the table and then a section of 2" tubing with my vice mounted to that - I do have to remove the std pin and slide out to exchange other/additional platforms. My vise rotates and locks in position so I thought that would be all I needed.



Here is another pic of a later cart project I made for my Syncro 200 but you can see how the table has evolved since - the vise is visible as well as the shelf I added with expanded wire at the bottom of the table

[JSFAB]

Standard 2" (nominal size) pipe fits fairly snugly into 2 1/2" schedule 40 pipe.

[tackit]

I used square tube, took the rock out by welding two 1/2" or 5/8"? jamb nuts about 6" apart on the outside tube.

[tackit]

Nice work and design on the cart too Roger.

[JSFAB]

tackit, the OP specified he wants the assembly to rotate, kinda hard to rotate square tube, don't you think?????

[Frank R]

Standard 2" (nominal size) pipe fits fairly snugly into 2 1/2" schedule 40 pipe.

Thanks; these are about the sizes I had in mind.

[Broccoli1]

I wouldn't want to rely only on a Set Screw (even a large one) holding the round tubing secure- especially for the Chop saw.

More work but I would drill a hole for a Hitch pin to slide through both tubes.

[Frank R]

I wouldn't want to rely only on a Set Screw (even a large one) holding the round tubing secure- especially for the Chop saw.

More work but I would drill a hole for a Hitch pin to slide through both tubes.

If the flat mounting plate slid onto the table top, even a bit, than a set screw would probably be sufficient. But, I had thought of using a pin as well.

[Cgotto6]

I have slip joints on adjustable stands I use for work to position large beams while working on them. I drilled holes in the outer piece of pipe welded nuts for 3/4 in bolts to create bungs. Then I just thread the bolts through the holes and hold the inner tube with the tension. Plenty strong, and they are infinitely adjustable, which I need. Good luck with your project. Post some pics after its done.