Thanks to whoever posted the idea of using tube as modular bench top tool supports

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I don't know who first posted the idea of using receiver tubes as a system for interchangeable bench-top tool mounting, but thank you. I recently borrowed your idea.This is a fixture used for the modifying off-road wheels:Attachment 48236A wheel is bolted to the fixture's rotating hub and then it can be accurately cut or trued.I wanted to add a mount for an oxy-fuel torch, and some other attachments. Of course all attachments aren't used at once, and if permanently mounted they would be awkward to work around. Thus the interchangeable tools, mounted in a receiver tube when needed, and stowed out of the way when not needed.First things first, the receiver tubes:Attachment 482372" tube, 3/4" boltsFour receiver tubes were mounted to the bench:Sorry, no room for the picture. Something had to goThree horizontal, one vertical.I resized a metal basket so that it would fit under the bench for attachment storage.Attachment 48238I borrowed the torch and mount from a line burner, and mounted it its own attachment.Attachment 48239I guess I didn't get a very good overall picture of the torch mount. I can post a better picture  later.I took it for a test run:Attachment 48240Maybe someday it'll get a motor drive, for smoother cuts.Thanks again, to whoever posted the receiver-type tool mounts. Last edited by denrep; 10-19-2010 at 11:44 PM.
Reply:You mean this thread by any chance?http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...hlight=grinderIf you don't want to stand behind our Troops, feel free to stand in front of them.
Reply:. . .or one of these?  I'm pretty sure I got the idea from Stan's thread IIRC.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=25389 (starting at post #69http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=28716http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=34934I like the hub/spindle as a base for a turn table too.  Gives me a couple new ideas.No wonder I like this place so much.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:yeah... i had a "table" made of aluminum i mounted to a hitch... no good.. dents all over the tailgate, and sparks would burn the paint.. i threw it out..if you're not livin on the edge, you're takin up too much room..
Reply:Originally Posted by denrepI don't know who first posted the idea of using receiver tubes as a system for interchangeable bench-top tool mounting, but thank you. I recently borrowed your idea.This is a fixture used for the modifying off-road wheels:Thanks again, to whoever posted the receiver-type tool mounts.
Reply:what wall thickness tube works best for these receiver-type attachments.One place told me to use 3/16" wall tubing.  so, I bought some scrap 2" square tubing with a 3/16" and then I used the same1.5" square tube w/ 3/16" wall for the inset piece.  It was sloppy as hell !!! what combo gives the nicest clearnaces (tightest fitup without being too tight) ?
Reply:It goes back aways online.  I'm sure it started with somebody mounting a vise to the back of their truck and then a lightbulb going off.I use double hitches, for a little more torsional stability.Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:Good idea there Jack! I like the dual receivers even if it's only for a vise.Thanks! The tube used for the insert part is special tubing and the supply house down the road from me gets $8 a foot for it... the receiver part is cheapest at Harbor Freight on sale or with a coupon or both,although for a bench receiver without any vehicle load involved just some square tubing that accepts smaller square tubing would work just fine. I bought a piece of the insert tubing before I discovered that the weight bench machine I bought at an auction was homebuilt using that expensive hitch tubing.... it's 6' tall & 5 feet long by 2' wide & takes two people to move it around... I paid $10 for it. Someone built one of these on a workbench and used two bolts on the corners as adjusters/tighteners instead of on the flats like most are done... I thought it was a great idea because it really tightens the inner tube against two walls which tends to lock it in place and lessens the wobble usually associated with these things as you pry/hammer/beat on whatever tool is inserted in the receiver.
Reply:I went with the on-sale HF hitches.I think you can get less play than the 2" tubing in a hitch receiver method if you dig a little.  Most square tubing has a welded seam in it, but McMaster-Carr sells stuff that (probably) is manufactured to produce a tighter fit.  http://www.mcmaster.com/#telescoping-tubing/=6beqoqJack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:Could you integrate these 'hitch' pieces into the square tube design of a welding table? Meaning you use a piece of 1/8x2x2 as the long pieces on the front and back of a rectangle welding table and leave the open holes for use as the receiver piece. Wow, In my head I can see it, but written down it sounds like crap.The world is amazing when you are slightly strange.
Reply:I see no reason that couldn't be done....sounds do-able to me. Most of the time these are added to existing tables,but if you designed a table from scratch with the intention of having this feature...it would just be a matter of using the correct size tubing to fit the inserted piece of tubing.
Reply:Guys also make them with the receiver vertical -- a square hole in the table surface itself or right adjacent to it.Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:Originally Posted by Jack OlsenMost square tubing has a welded seam in it, but McMaster-Carr sells stuff that (probably) is manufactured to produce a tighter fit.  http://www.mcmaster.com/#telescoping-tubing/=6beqoq
Reply:Crazy idea? why not go with tube instead of square? and just double it up instead?
Reply:Originally Posted by CrawfordCrazy idea? why not go with tube instead of square? and just double it up instead?
Reply:Originally Posted by Jack OlsenGuys also make them with the receiver vertical -- a square hole in the table surface itself or right adjacent to it.
Reply:Originally Posted by BurningMetalround would work if you are using a pair of round recievers.
Reply:Originally Posted by BurningMetalwhat wall thickness tube works best for these receiver-type attachments.. . .What combo gives the nicest clearnaces (tightest fitup without being too tight) ?
Reply:Originally Posted by denrep There was one combination that was a snug fit except for the receiver's inside weld seam causing a bind. By grinding a clearance groove in the insert it made an excellent fit. I suppose the receiver could be dimpled for a more snug fit.
Reply:Originally Posted by SinisterDexterCould you integrate these 'hitch' pieces into the square tube design of a welding table? Meaning you use a piece of 1/8x2x2 as the long pieces on the front and back of a rectangle welding table and leave the open holes for use as the receiver piece. Wow, In my head I can see it, but written down it sounds like crap.
Reply:Originally Posted by 59halfstepDenrep - here is a link to a gentleman that made a very nice tool for cleaning up the seam in welded pipe.http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/sho...re+tube+broachCharlie
Reply:Interesting tool, thanks for the link ‘Step. Although I don't understand what pulls/pushes it through the tube.Some of the tubing weld seams that I looked at seemed too large and rough to be easily "shaved" in one cut.Although for short receivers, I suppose it would be possible to reach in with a rotary carbide to buff down the weld seam. Some old tires can be stubborn about being demounted.Attachment 48614But using the right tools, with the right help and teamwork, it's not so bad.Good LuckLast edited by denrep; 10-19-2010 at 11:44 PM.
Reply:Nice to see pics of the pup again How's the ol' pup do at stuffin' tubes back in the rim "Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Samm - That was a kind of a spontaneous and strange thing for the dog; almost like an act of instinct.Between the huffing and puffing and hammer swinging, and the occasional curse, to the pup the tire beating probably seemed like participating in the pack's big kill. And to the pup, pulling the tube out was probably like getting a share of the kill. And the more the dog shook the "kill" the more it slapped back.   We'll probably never see that tube and flap again, so I can't answer you as to putting it back. Good Luck
Reply:A friend's father in law swears by using his air chisel on short pieces to remove the flash. Haven't tried it myself though.That'd probably work Raptor, especially if the chisel were sharpened to an edge rather than a point.Good Luck
Reply:Hey folks! You simply need to ask for seamless or receiver tubing to avoid the extra work. It isspecial order at some places but larger steel suppliers will have it on hand.Hope I can save you some work.Aeromax Service Truck w/ 6,000lb Crane to carry my toys.Miller Trailblazer 302'69 Lincoln SA-200A couple of Victor Jr's to make big pieces smaller..........
Reply:I bought 24" of the receiver tubing and 24" of matching insert tubing for $41 total at Clackamas Steel in the Portland, Oregon area on Saturday for my welding table project. .238 wall stuff. Will make the tool mounts on my new bench really nice. I'm using 6" for each mount position and for the tool mounts.
Reply:It's not just for shops too, they make awesome mounts on trucks we build to.  Here's a few examples:One is a step I made up for a hitch.The other is a pipe vise mount I made from a hitch tube. Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by FRANKENSTEINIt's not just for shops too, they make awesome mounts on trucks we build to.  Here's a few examples:One is a step I made up for a hitch.The other is a pipe vise mount I made from a hitch tube.