Rotary Welding Positioner; Build

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Well I got ******all else to do today so I'll show you lot what I've done so far.But first a bit of back ground, I've been after a Rotary table for sometime now. The problem is 2nd hand ones are thin on the ground, and tend to be massive and heavy. You can buy New ones from China however one of those is going to cost you 500quid even before The Customs man wants his Duty and VATSo been the tight Northern Monkey I am I decided to build one.After some time searching for a suitable electric motor I found a guy selling off a load of Brand new Conveyor motors from a bakery. So I bought 8 of themThey are a lovely little motor only 14w but the important thing is they have a Reduction gear box, reducing the Motor RPM from 1400 down to 2.06 that's 630:1  Because of the large reduction the torque is unreal. And they work in both directions.So stick a variable speed controller on and off you go. NO not as simples as that, I spoke to 4 different companies who sent me their "sure it will do the job" bits of kit, only to find out the motor at slow speed would lose all its torque. No good, no good at all. Finally I found someone who knew what they were talking about, I sent them a Motor so they could make sure it would work. It did, woohoIt turns out the motors aren't single phase but 3 phase, and because of this a small 1ph to 3ph invertor is the speed controller to use, not only that the guy tells me the motors alone would set you back 300quid each, without the reduction box But as they are such a low wattage the things will last for everSo I bought 8 of those as well Problem is I've now spent more than a yellow one would have cost meI now have 8 motors and 8 controllers, so best start to build one.The frame is 12" x 12" x 14" made from 20x2mm box. Mitred corners, welds ground flat on the outside so it doesn't catch, the frame will be powder coated black once finished.I'm waiting on a Pillow block to support the shaft. The earth strap is from the local motor factors. No volt switch, 2 way switch , Pot and Plastic box, off tinter web. The shaft is 3/4" Dia 304 stainless I had, This will fit to a 1 1/8"x12TPI threaded head so you can fit a Myford Faceplate or Chuck. I found the round plate in a corner and been me couldn't wait for the Myford bits to turn up, so quickly knocked up this face plate for the prototype.So here it is, I don't like the ground clamp point so I've ordered a Female Dinse Socket. I'm also fitting a pair of adjustable armrests that will also double up as a torch holder. Attached ImagesLast edited by Shox Dr; 02-09-2010 at 04:20 PM.
Reply:Pillow block turned up so a bracket was folded up and fitted Attached Images
Reply:And a pic of the first weld table top to pigot Attached Images
Reply:Good job. That's something to be proud of.
Reply:Very nice!Work HARDER, not smarter! ------------------------ Miller Bobcat 250Millermatic 251Lincoln Precision TIG 185Hypertherm PM 600Hobart 135 HandlerOxweld 400 FlameMaster
Reply:Very nice job and that ground strap setup is pretty unique.
Reply:Originally Posted by trapperjohnVery nice job and that ground strap setup is pretty unique.
Reply:Some of the Jetline positioners use the same type of strap setup for a rotating ground.  It works just fine, no problem.
Reply:Nice job, Shox Dr.  Could you send one of those?  Please?
Reply:So would you be willing to sell one of the motors and controller?
Reply:Yeah what burnandreturn said, if you are willing to part with some of the extras, send me a message I am interested. -DanOwnerDW Metalworks LLCMiller Trailblazer 302Miller 8RC FeederMiller Passport PlusMiller Dynasty 200 DX W/Coolmate 1Hobart Handler 135Hypertherm PowerMAX 30Smith O/A Torch SetPlus much much more
Reply:That looks great! The weld in the pic looks like you got hot towards the end, it might be beneficial to add a foot pedal for speed control. Or a foot switch between a starting speed and operating speed.UA Local 598
Reply:Great work!  All first rate materials, will last forever.I am a HACK welder but I do know a little about motors and speed controllers, and it all looks first rate!I am almost embarassed now to say I stashed away a BBQ spit motor and gear reduction that was headed for the dumpster to someday do a small scale version  of what you have done.
Reply:I'd be interested in one of your extra motor/controller combinations as well, if you decide to part with them.That's a very nice solution to an otherwise expensive problem.