Another project for the shop

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If you know anything about a bantom Ironworker, they are a great baby ironworker.  But are sorta crude, since they were designed back in the 50's. Their main problem is they don't have a guide table for the punch postion.  I have seen a few rigged with some sort of a guide table, but nothing heavy duty.  But I decided to build a heavy duty version. The entire table is supported off the frame of the machine vs the casting of the machine.  The table is also removable if needed.  I built two slide guides so you can adjust for different widths of steel.  This keeps the steel center for punching holes for railings.  With a sharpie you mark from the center of the punch to width of the picket spacing.  After the first hole, you line up each hole on the center of the last one.   I showed this with a piece of scrap with 4" spacing.  So much faster than marking each hole and praying you get it lined up right. Attached ImagesLincoln 300 Vantage 2008300 Commander 1999SA250 1999SA200 1968Miller Syncrowave 200XMT350MPA/S-52E/xr-15Xtreme 12vs Millermatic 251 w/30A  Millermatic 251 Dialarc 250 Hypertherm 1250 GEKA & Bantom Ironwokers
Reply:Pics of punching.  After set up, and marking the first hole, it took all of 10 seconds to punch these 6 holes.  Figure how long it would take you to mark and drill all of them.   Attached ImagesLincoln 300 Vantage 2008300 Commander 1999SA250 1999SA200 1968Miller Syncrowave 200XMT350MPA/S-52E/xr-15Xtreme 12vs Millermatic 251 w/30A  Millermatic 251 Dialarc 250 Hypertherm 1250 GEKA & Bantom Ironwokers
Reply:Great looking machine.  I would love to have one. Up to what thickness will it punch?
Reply:1/2 round or square hole in 1/4"   5/8" round or square in 3/16"  3/4" round or square in 1/8" There also is a angle iron notcher attachment that will notch 1.5" by 1.5" by 1/8" angle for making frames that goes in the punch spot.  Double all these numbers if you are working in aluminum.  I tried 1/2" round hole in 1/2" aluminum plate, no problems.Lincoln 300 Vantage 2008300 Commander 1999SA250 1999SA200 1968Miller Syncrowave 200XMT350MPA/S-52E/xr-15Xtreme 12vs Millermatic 251 w/30A  Millermatic 251 Dialarc 250 Hypertherm 1250 GEKA & Bantom Ironwokers