How would you do it?

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I'm at the point where I need to mount the spacer block onto the table frame and I'm looking for ideas. The spacer blocks are 1/2"x1"x4"s.I'd like to drill and tap the spacer blocks prior to welding them onto the table frame. If I then bolt them to the table top plates and then set the plates on the frame I can reach them with the mig gun to tack the spacers on the frame. I might be able to get in there with some 1/8 inch 7018 rod. If I weld the spacer blocks to the table frame and then drill with a hand drill it will take forever and not be much fun.Does anybody have any better ideas?
Reply:I like the idea to drill and tap first also, doing this, would you be just welding the 1" sides of the spacer blocks? I think that would be strong enough. I can't imagine any other way then what you've already mentioned. In the table tops, will the bolts holes be countersunk, or counter bored for the head of the bolt?
Reply:Also I think if you tried to drill after welding you'd have a much greater chance of the tapped holes not lining up, especially since you'd be using a hand drill, and yea it wouldn't be much fun.
Reply:I would think about drilling the blocks but not tap until the plates are in place, or the threads may not match up and cause you problems.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:Put everything in place and go rent a mag drill to drill the holes.
Reply:The bolt holes will be counter bored for Allen head bolts.I think that by drilling and tapping, I can be sure they fit prior to welding.
Reply:There are counter bore bits for mag drills. I think your making it harder than it needs to be, just my opinion. Good luck.
Reply:Make longer spacer blocksMiller TrailBlazer 251Miller HF-250-1Miller MaxStar 150 STLHyperTherm PowerMax 380 plasmaLincoln PowerMig 180Millermatic 252Miller Diversion 180
Reply:Have you considered through bolting? Even just welding the 1" sides on those blocks is going to put enough heat in the frame members to cause a bow.
Reply:If you you made your blocks bigger you could put 4 holes in it,2 for the top that would be taped,2 for the frame at the pre taped size.Bolt  them to the top pieces ,set them on frame and tack in place.Remove top now you can use other 2 holes as drill guides for the frame.Remove blocks tap holes in frame ,redrill holes in blocks to bolt size .Number blocks to put in same spot and to keep right side up
Reply:id JB weld the drilled and tapped blocks down to your frame. if you weld to the top of that frame, your frame will TACO into a banana shape. I would:Mark the spacer blocks, A B C D E F G etcMark the drilled plates, A B C D E F G etcBolt the spacer blocks to the drilled plates.Apply JB weld to the spacer blocks and set the assemblies onto your frame, properly spacing them left, right, top, bottomlet JB weld cure, try to do this in a cold process, no welding
Reply:Another option could be to drill clearance holes through the spacers and transfer punch through plates and spacers. Then you wouldn't have any heat to pull things around. You could tap the frame or drill through and just bolt it down.
Reply:Originally Posted by Bls repairIf you you made your blocks bigger you could put 4 holes in it,2 for the top that would be taped,2 for the frame at the pre taped size.Bolt  them to the top pieces ,set them on frame and tack in place.Remove top now you can use other 2 holes as drill guides for the frame.Remove blocks tap holes in frame ,redrill holes in blocks to bolt size .Number blocks to put in same spot and to keep right side up
Reply:I have decided to run a bolt all the way through the frame. I've marked the spacers with a transfer punch and I'll set everything up and then use a transfer punch to mark the hole locations on the frame. I was also concerned about the heat to tack the blocks onto the frame. That was one of the reasons why I asked for advice was to get input about them being welded.I also considered using JB Weld but I wasn't sure if it would hold with use. Mostly I've had good results with JB Weld, but I don't know how it will hold up to welding.Maybe I'll get this done by the end of the week and I'll post some photos.
Reply:Just to let you know, my buildpro table's spacer blocks only have two mig tacks.  One on each of the longer side.
Reply:drill a couple of"spot weld" holes thru frame where spacers will set...bolt spacers to tops, lay on fame, tack weld from bottom thru spot weld holes..Miller TrailBlazer 251Miller HF-250-1Miller MaxStar 150 STLHyperTherm PowerMax 380 plasmaLincoln PowerMig 180Millermatic 252Miller Diversion 180