Convertible Cutting/Welding Table

[BukitCase]

Dang, this forum's turnin' into "tractor-gram"

 

[BukitCase]

Didn't show the ORIGINAL part of the "MDVT" - couple shots of drilling the "lifting eye" for my "off-road mig cart", seen in the early pages of my "container weld shop build" thread - the drill sits on a piece of 10" channel with its web beefed up with 1/2" flat stock so it's about 7/8" thick, good "grab" for the magnets on the drill. The channel is boxed in and becomes the fixed jaw of the vise - with that setup I can drill a 1-1/2" hole in a 2" piece of steel if I need to (don't need the work piece to be big enough for the drill to sit on)... Steve

 

[BukitCase]

Oop, forgot to mention ANOTHER "feature" - the Grizzly XY table I have was bought several years ago, so this may NO LONGER be true - on mine, both lead screws are 10 TPI, which makes it REALLY easy to drill equally spaced holes - want 'em 1" apart? Just drill, crank the handle 10 turns, repeat (LOVE that "higher math" :laughing: And yeah, it is NOT "milling machine accurate", but still useful for a lotta stuff. Need 1-1/2" spacing? 15 turns between holes.

If I need a longer than 12" range of holes, simple - just run the x axis back to the other end, use the cutter bit in the LAST hole drilled, raise bit, do ANOTHER 10 turns, keep going (requires moving the piece in the dual DP vises of course)

There's nuthin' you can't cobble up if you're twisted enough... :laughing: ...Steve

 

[downsizingnow48]

My goodness. What I have in mind is primitive compared to either the xy table or the repurposed drill press. Well now I have the weekend and Christmas to think about it. Thanks!

 

[BukitCase]

And by "thanks", you REALLY mean "are you INSANE??!?"

To which the OBVIOUS answer would be "of course" :laughing:

Seriously tho Pat, you're welcome to use, ignore, or ask more questions; whichever works for ya... Steve

 

[BukitCase]

Hey Pat, sorry if I freaked you out with all the options - I just found a pic of the "humble beginnings", just the vise/platform setup - just consists of the piece of 10" channel with extra 1/2" top, 1/2" flat bar on the end that mounts in the vise (that end is countersunk and slightly longer screws used to replace the original removable jaw. If you do this, be SURE to get the part that replaces the vise jaw PERPENDICULAR to the top surface, makes it MUCH easier to get true holes in stuff...

If you zoom in on the pic you can see the 1/4" countersinked holes - I used button head allens IIRC - the rear supports (one is visible) are just 1/2" allthread and welded on 1/2" coupler nuts, it's a bit floppy without 'em. Notice I welded the coupler nuts flush with the BOTTOM - that way there's room for a bit of "stick-out" at the top, plus if necessary I could add a lock nut at the bottom (haven't needed it yet tho) - that mount also makes it easy to slot the tops of the allthread for a flat blade screwdriver.

Also, I wouldn't go any narrower on the channel - mine BARELY leaves enough room to clamp various scraps to the face for repeatable cuts. If I had it to do over, I'd have found a piece of 12" channel.

Another thing you won't know how you did without -
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0054RJ7VC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have others, but that model has a flip-up display AND does NOT use weird batteries, just normal AAA's. Plus, it has a dual display for absolute and relative angles, useful enough to be worth a couple bux more.

My setup is all mounted on a "nearly free" table from the scrap heap at work; has a 3/8" top, heavy angle frame. Top's a little uneven in spots, hence the "leveling bolts" in previous pics... Steve

 

[Big Barn]

Hey Pat, sorry if I freaked you out with all the options - I just found a pic of the "humble beginnings", just the vise/platform setup - jSteve

AKA non cup holder model.

 

[BukitCase]

Dang you Terry, an' I thought I wuz DONE once I found a "coolant-proof" big screen TV and tri-amped surround speaker setup

Brain appears to be busy now calculating the needed overhang on a " swing-away cup holder automatic motion-sensing lid" - we both know how big the "blast radius" is on those mag drills Steve

 

[downsizingnow48]

This is very interesting. I had thought about converting a junk drill press, but then thought there was a good chance the table would not be square to the column and I would have to fix that first. Then I also thought about using an xy table, but decided it would not be all that well adapted to what I usually do. I did NOT think of mounting the drill to a vise!

I hope to get on the drill table project late next week. I have used the mag drill a bit and it is like magic compared to my old worn out presses. Something I should have done years ago.

In the meantime, what do you gents use for coolant?

 

[Big Barn]

If I’m drilling a LOT of holes or deep ones and mess isn’t a concern I will mix up some of this for the Hougen’s coolant bottle:



However most times for drilling 3/4” thickness and under I will give the annular cutter a couple drops of this before each hole:



accompanied by a stream of compressed air whilst drilling.