Welding Positioner Plans

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Hope this belongs here and not in projects forum.....Sorry if not posted correctly. First off ive done a search and came up with some lack luster results . Having said that i am looking for ideas on plans for a rotary welding positioner. Pics/plans would be appreciated. I have a spare 8" 3 jaw chuck to use but been also reading about bearing vs. bushing....I was planning on using a rotary ground on the main shaft but would like to know everyones thoughts before i just jump in and waste alot of time.Thanks,Chris
Reply:An idea I had in regards to this was to use a hub/spindle from the front of a 1/2-3/4 ton truck. That saves you a great deal of headache on it's own. If you're planning on just using it for a simple manual positioning tool, keep the locking hub mechanism. They are fairly fine toothed.Otherwise get inventive with a motor and speed control.
Reply:Unless you have access to a Lathe and Milling Machine you may be better off keeping an eye out for a used welding positioner on ebay or the like. You need variable speed motor controlled by a foot pedal or motor reostat switch, a chuck mounted on a spindle with some kind of bearings and forward/reverse option. All in all I have made three positioners, with 6" to 10" chucks. By the time I found the correct motor and motor controller, got the bearings, machined the spindle and found the chuck I would have been better off buying a used one, even if it needed some maintenance.Ok well, just thought I'd share  my experience's with others.
Reply:I searched Ebone for a used one for a long time, finally I bought a new 200 lb 200 amp positioner.  Couldn't be happier.Good luck and show us what you make.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:A simple and effective rotary ground is a length of flexible braided copper strap wrapped around the main shaft and pulled snug with a spring.  This is the system used on some comercial Jetline positioners.