Vise Stand: Adjustable Height / Removable

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Vise stand feature is needed as part of my hydraulic lift table project. Space in my home shop is limited and so in an effort to consolidate beat up, Jerry rigged tables and carts, A multi purpose work station that includes but is not limited to three key functions is needed:Adjustable height surface for welding & mechanics work Adjustable height / removable vise standConverts to a service cradle cart for personal water craftsAs for the vise stand and before I finish something I'll later regret, I'm hope'n y'all might have a clever idea or similar project. Been toying with the idea of incorporating a trailer jack, assist spring, farm jack and an old drill press table rack & pinion. Vise must be able to lower at least 10" so as to allow large / long items on the lift table unobstructed . Vise & stand must easily be relocated to an alternative location (socket) in the shop so as to free up room for a PWC cradle attachment to the lift table. The table chassis is constructed using 3/8' thick material and has a current vise stand socket (1/8 x 3- 5/8" ID). Two corner mounted grade eight bolts force the current post (1/4 x 3-9/16" OD) against the opposing socket's corner tightly.Attached Wilton Stand photo is too tall as is and costs about $500, I believe. I'm hoping to spend less. Attached Images"Steel is weak. What is steel compared to the hand that wields it?"- James Earl Jonesmiller 225 w/ 3035spoolmate, Lincoln sq wv 275 w/radiator, hypertherm 600 plasma cutter, other stuff
Reply:Originally Posted by badknotVise stand feature is needed as part of my hydraulic lift table project. Space in my home shop is limited and so in an effort to consolidate beat up, Jerry rigged tables and carts, A multi purpose work station that includes but is not limited to three key functions is needed:Adjustable height surface for welding & mechanics work Adjustable height / removable vise standConverts to a service cradle cart for personal water craftsAs for the vise stand and before I finish something I'll later regret, I'm hope'n y'all might have a clever idea or similar project. Been toying with the idea of incorporating a trailer jack, assist spring, farm jack and an old drill press table rack & pinion. Vise must be able to lower at least 10" so as to allow large / long items on the lift table unobstructed . Vise & stand must easily be relocated to an alternative location (socket) in the shop so as to free up room for a PWC cradle attachment to the lift table. The table chassis is constructed using 3/8' thick material and has a current vise stand socket (1/8 x 3- 5/8" ID). Two corner mounted grade eight bolts force the current post (1/4 x 3-9/16" OD) against the opposing socket's corner tightly.Attached Wilton Stand photo is too tall as is and costs about $500, I believe. I'm hoping to spend less.
Reply:Do you plan on pounding and rough usage for the vise ? How heavy of a vise ? What about fixed height and put wheels on the base ?             You could use 2 1/2'' ID  schedule 40  black pipe for the upright and 2'' ID schedule pipe for the inside adjustable part. I think I would prefer to drill matched holes through both pipes for height adjustments. 2 1/2'' square  receiver tube could be used for the base too with 2'' square drop in for the vise. Might be easier to buy a couple more vises and mount them on fixed heights of receiver tube cut to the most used height and drop in base.   Mount the 2 1/2''  receiver tube to the frame horizontally so it moves with table .
Reply:Might take a bit of looking, but what about a side-wind trailer/implement jack, and use pins to hold the main tube/frame for the vice, so you're not beating on the jack?http://www.harborfreight.com/3500-lb...jack-3961.htmlThat jack is not on sale, but should be a fair bit cheaper when it is. Maybe some 3" or 4" tubing for the main frame, make it telescoping with the jack attached to the side, and pins that will go right through.http://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-h...ack-36396.htmlOr use this one inside/on the side, and same thing. I'd still make  latch system or pin system so you're not hammer on the jack itself (on it's holding force that is), and there's no risk of your jack settling overnight if the seal gets back and whatever you have on there risks falling off.EDIT: I missed the shrink to 10" part. My vote if that is the case is for a telescoping bottle jack.BruceLast edited by Alberta Farmer; 03-17-2013 at 12:02 PM.
Reply:Takirc, yeah, I think the "Anti finger chopper" feature makes for a great addition to this table project. Now if I can only come up with an "Anti dumb ***" devise...maybe then, I'd only have to do things once in life.Bruce, I looked into that HF 3500-lb jack early on. It's a winner due to the side crank which can be modified including a welded on nut for my drill driver. The jack mechanism if not the whole thing should fit inside the post. Obviously, a hefty locking devise needs to be employed since I'll be pounding hell it's self out of the 1" thick vise table. Still better than a crank would be a heavy compression coil type spring inside post to assist in raising the vise table while unlocked but the math needs to be right and calculated with all the pieces finished and weighed...I'm not there yet.  As for hydraulics, one system is enough for this project.Currently, I'm struggling to figure out the "dual rail automatic lift table safety locking devise with cable release lever feature".  Proving more difficult than I anticipated...should've  finished that "anti dumb *** devise" first.Last edited by badknot; 03-17-2013 at 10:32 PM."Steel is weak. What is steel compared to the hand that wields it?"- James Earl Jonesmiller 225 w/ 3035spoolmate, Lincoln sq wv 275 w/radiator, hypertherm 600 plasma cutter, other stuff
Reply:think this will work? Attached Images"Steel is weak. What is steel compared to the hand that wields it?"- James Earl Jonesmiller 225 w/ 3035spoolmate, Lincoln sq wv 275 w/radiator, hypertherm 600 plasma cutter, other stuff
Reply:Brilliant!  I bought a 1100lb capacity Jet jumbo lift table a few weeks ago at a price I just couldn't pass up.  I love the ability to adjust from standing work height to sitting work height.  I've been planning to just mount a receiver hitch vise mount on it, now I'll be watching this build to see how it turns out, may have to adopt the safety bars.
Reply:Mocked up my lift table safety lock today. This feature is important to me since I know my feet will be all up in this thing while sitting for tig work. Seriously not recommended but a compromise I must deal with in my efforts to consolidate my shop. Very little info on safety locks out there and my original simple plan just wasn't going to work out, so I came up with a more complicated one that seems to work unbelievably well. Once pressure on the locking mechanism is relieved with a pump of the hydraulics, a cable lever can then pull the sliding side of the locking rail forwards to pop out the locking boss allowing it to slide along the top of the locking rail as the table is lowered. Think I'll paint it red to remind me to verify locked position before doing something stupid. Table to be MM blue.attached photos, one showing the locked position, the other in the disengaged position. Attached ImagesLast edited by badknot; 03-18-2013 at 06:50 PM.
Reply:This is awesome! I think it's more fun to build tools than any thing else.  Subscribed!
Reply:Wow , great skill , keep on your good work !!!!!I will try my best to be understoodMY DREAM GARAGE
Reply:Exhausted the web for examples of a dual lever / one hand operated control mechanism to no avail, apparently...I have the only one. After much frustration / beer and two failed attempts I finally (for now) ended up w/ this contraption. Magnetic base, cut up brass hat/coat hook silver brazed to brass slide locks/ dead bolts, all surfaces tinned w/ solder, I hate brass. I'll stick it to the under side of vise table or somewhere on lift table when the vise stand has been removed.Now I can operate the hydraulic release mechanism and or the table safety lock mechanism with one hand while simultaneously operating my cold budweiser w/ the other..."happy, happy happy". Attached Images"Steel is weak. What is steel compared to the hand that wields it?"- James Earl Jonesmiller 225 w/ 3035spoolmate, Lincoln sq wv 275 w/radiator, hypertherm 600 plasma cutter, other stuff
Reply:Mocked up th vise stand today.  After much research (beer) I decided to go w th HF 3500 lbs trailer jack mechanism w side crank: 1/4 x3 1/2" sq tube sleeved inside a 3/16 x 4" tube. Welded cabochons (nubs) on th bott outer corners of th 3 1/2" tube and on th inner top sides of th 4" tube to take out th slop. I knew better, but couldn't resist relearning just how futile / frustrating it can be trying to get a 1/4 x 3 1/2 sq tube to fit inside a 1/4 x 4" tube = Fail!  I fab'd up a custom socket on th table chassis to receive th 4" tube. Planning to incorporate a rubber shock absorber inside the stand to help protect th mechanism in th event I forget to lock it down & back off th crank before pounding on th 1" thick vise table.Im really starting regret / despise / dread this whole project...no end in sight. I guess I'll have it sand blasted before applying epoxy primer when / if I finish fabrication. I get a discount on drops but they're usually pretty rusty. Has anyone had any luck acid washing rust off? Attached Images"Steel is weak. What is steel compared to the hand that wields it?"- James Earl Jonesmiller 225 w/ 3035spoolmate, Lincoln sq wv 275 w/radiator, hypertherm 600 plasma cutter, other stuff
Reply:Since I rearranged my garage & built a welding table, I dont use this very much, but it worked pretty good for me:It is a 14" x3/4" plat intended to be welded on the end of a piling, the angle brackets are bolted on. the arm on the bottom has a socket welded to it for tightening after adjusting the leg. I step on it to loosen & tighten. It is adjustable by pulling the bolts & raising to height I want. I have an extension if I want it really high. with 2 bolts inserted 'diagnally' (on each end if using the extension) it does NOT wobble, just spin on a nut to keep bolt from falling out. I have (had)a large plate with a piece of that sq tube on the bottom, lift out the vise & drop in the (small) table. the hooks are for hanging the tig torch on. On the side face is a stereo magnet just above the left hook for holding the (steel) welding rod.FWIW, I have a magnet from a junk HDD hanging from the ceiling for the rod now that I have a (real) table. -c- Attached ImagesLast edited by cornemuse; 04-14-2013 at 01:57 PM.Reason: spelling
Reply:I had a lot of  cool Ideas but settled on converting a "C" clamp for use as my vise stand lock down devise.  Cost nothing as I hated that beat up old clamp.  It was bent to one side and inevitably the first one I'd grab out of the drawer...don't know why I kept putting it back in?  As a lock down devise and shock tested by pounding plate on top of the stand, it held fast.  To achieve the vise stand's adjust-ability, I employed 1" hard pipe along with HB frght 3500lbs jack stand screw mechanism netting me 14 5/8" of travel ( just 1/8" more than required to achieve the project's critical goal.)  The current crank handle is temporary, naturally, a more complicated one is planned.  Note the gray shock absorber fab'd up out of an old rubber caster for additional mechanism protection.  The weird contraption at the jack screw's end of the pipe prevents the assembly from rotating inside the column.  The stand fits snugly inside a custom fab'd socket on the lift table chassis.  Major alterations to the chassis are needed however to accommodate a few bells and whistles ideas I came up with after the fact ie: table extension bars, tool bars, tool receivers, leveling feet, bumper ramp receiver, work hold downs, engine holding jigs and of course my jetski cradle attachment, etc... It keeps evolving.  Luckily the chassis is still only tacked together.  Also bigger wheels are going on front: 6" 900 lbs poly/glass total locking casters are ordered for the vise end.  I'm limited to 5" 800 lbs poly/glass fixed at the rear due to design conflicts. Attached ImagesLast edited by badknot; 05-04-2013 at 11:48 PM."Steel is weak. What is steel compared to the hand that wields it?"- James Earl Jonesmiller 225 w/ 3035spoolmate, Lincoln sq wv 275 w/radiator, hypertherm 600 plasma cutter, other stuff
Reply:Nice project.   I hate it when what seems like a simple easy project blows up into a month of weekends long project.   That is why my buggy is still a chassis on jackstands instead of a running vehicle.   I really like the drawer system under that table in the last picture.
Reply:wheels came in: 6" poly/glass 900 lbs w swivel/wheel lock, 5" 800 lbs fixt.http://www.castercity.com/cm9a-plate.htm Attached ImagesLast edited by badknot; 05-19-2013 at 06:08 PM."Steel is weak. What is steel compared to the hand that wields it?"- James Earl Jonesmiller 225 w/ 3035spoolmate, Lincoln sq wv 275 w/radiator, hypertherm 600 plasma cutter, other stuff
Reply:chassis modifications to accept the new larger casters: 1" taller 3 1/2" wider swivel dia (do to th locking lever.) Attached ImagesLast edited by badknot; 05-19-2013 at 06:27 PM."Steel is weak. What is steel compared to the hand that wields it?"- James Earl Jonesmiller 225 w/ 3035spoolmate, Lincoln sq wv 275 w/radiator, hypertherm 600 plasma cutter, other stuff
Reply:Originally Posted by badknotI guess I'll have it sand blasted before applying epoxy primer when / if I finish fabrication. Ie get a discount on drops but they're usually pretty rusty.Has anyone had any luck acid washing rust off?
Reply:I remember having luck acid washing small parts then washed w/ "ospho" metal prep years ago. All parts on this project to be fully welded. No exposed seams to trap acid.Last edited by badknot; 05-19-2013 at 11:06 PM."Steel is weak. What is steel compared to the hand that wields it?"- James Earl Jonesmiller 225 w/ 3035spoolmate, Lincoln sq wv 275 w/radiator, hypertherm 600 plasma cutter, other stuff
Reply:Well..I guess I kind'a took a hiatus from this project for awhile but now it's pretty much done, just need to finish tapping holes for my "table mount clamps." I sent the parts out for powder coating..."Miller blue" of course. Attached Images"Steel is weak. What is steel compared to the hand that wields it?"- James Earl Jonesmiller 225 w/ 3035spoolmate, Lincoln sq wv 275 w/radiator, hypertherm 600 plasma cutter, other stuff
Reply:My table mount clamps...modified by cutting the ends off of Harbor freight clamps and welding on a support bracket with a captive #12-13 grade 8 bolt. Works great, easy to screw in by hand or I can wrench it down if I feel the need. Attached Images"Steel is weak. What is steel compared to the hand that wields it?"- James Earl Jonesmiller 225 w/ 3035spoolmate, Lincoln sq wv 275 w/radiator, hypertherm 600 plasma cutter, other stuff
Reply:Very Nice Work! Glad it came together for you.  Love those clamps. You threaded the holes in the table?Edit: Let's see some pics of the car as well. Idealarc 250AC 225SVictor OA-older made in USA stuff.And a crap ton of other stuff.
Reply:Table extension / tool bar on back side of table. Angle grinder dock under vise on front side of table. Attached ImagesLast edited by badknot; 12-24-2013 at 01:41 AM."Steel is weak. What is steel compared to the hand that wields it?"- James Earl Jonesmiller 225 w/ 3035spoolmate, Lincoln sq wv 275 w/radiator, hypertherm 600 plasma cutter, other stuff
Reply:Originally Posted by kaldVery Nice Work! Glad it came together for you.  Love those clamps. You threaded the holes in the table?Edit: Let's see some pics of the car as well.
Reply:You need to get a video of this bad boy in action.  Miller Dynasty 200Millermatic 211Instagram?.... find me @ WELD_MEDICThat turned out great. Really '' hand '' made. Looks like a ''RED MACHINE '' back there.  KIDDING ! I always wanted to use that one. How did the steel seem welding on the HF clamp ? Looks like it took well . Time is precious. Everything always takes longer then you think. You may draw it out and then redesign as you go. COOL !
Reply:Originally Posted by badknotMy table mount clamps...modified by cutting the ends off of Harbor freight clamps and welding on a support bracket with a captive #12-13 grade 8 bolt. Works great, easy to screw in by hand or I can wrench it down if I feel the need.
Reply:Originally Posted by badknotyeah, 3/8"steel...not so bad but I also threaded seven 1" holes, three #1/2-13 to mount the vise, 4 to mount vise table to stand.I found that two taps with different tapers worked well. I used a really good strong American made tap from my grandfathers old wooden tap and die case. I used it as my mule, One full revolution was about as far as I dared take it then I chased it using the other tap and repeated the process.  Edit: Let's see see pics of the car as well.
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1That turned out great. Really '' hand '' made. Looks like a ''RED MACHINE '' back there.  KIDDING ! I always wanted to use that one. How did the steel seem welding on the HF clamp ? Looks like it took well . Time is precious. Everything always takes longer then you think. You may draw it out and then redesign as you go. COOL !
Reply:This was such a fantastic project! You have some skills!Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:Really nice fabrication work on the table!
Reply:This is as nice as it will ever look. Note added alum tool caddie, drops into the table extension. Yet to do: jet ski cradle attachment, hydraulic lift foot pedal. Attached ImagesLast edited by badknot; 01-06-2014 at 01:18 PM."Steel is weak. What is steel compared to the hand that wields it?"- James Earl Jonesmiller 225 w/ 3035spoolmate, Lincoln sq wv 275 w/radiator, hypertherm 600 plasma cutter, other stuff
Reply:That looks even better with BLUE paint. That MILLER sticker brought tears to my eyes.     You gonna make one to actually use ?   What a difference paint makes. Here  I thought the old 2013 model unpainted looked nice. The 2014 turned out great !!
Reply:That really turned out great!Idealarc 250AC 225SVictor OA-older made in USA stuff.And a crap ton of other stuff.
Reply:I'd like to be the first to say there's not one thing about that table half assed.  Excellent job badknot.  I like the red vice in the back ground too.
Reply:That table is way too nice to weld on or even work on!  You should be very proud; design, fabrication and finish work is excellent!
Reply:I have a question, does the table top hit the vise stand when you let it down or do you raise the vice before lowering the table? Just looks like it will move closer to vice when lowered. You did an awesome job!!!Miller trailblazer301gLincoln sa200Miller251Miller spectrum 625Victor oxy-acc2002 Chevy duramax 3500 dually 4x4
Reply:Originally Posted by BlackbeardI have a question, does the table top hit the vise stand when you let it down or do you raise the vice before lowering the table? Just looks like it will move closer to vice when lowered. You did an awesome job!!!
Reply:Originally Posted by kuzineddieThat table is way too nice to weld on or even work on!  You should be very proud; design, fabrication and finish work is excellent!
Reply:If you don't want your table to get hurt, send it to me. I'll keep it in a real safe place for you!Miller trailblazer301gLincoln sa200Miller251Miller spectrum 625Victor oxy-acc2002 Chevy duramax 3500 dually 4x4
Reply:Originally Posted by badknot...wanted to get rid of multiple beat up jury rigged tables and carts.
Reply:Good idea on the threads!  The threads would probably get gummed up with schmeg in my shop though.[/QUOTE]I have threaded holes in my table also. I have some brass rod I'm going to run through a die, cut short lenths, and slot with a cutoff wheel for a flathead screwdriver to keep them clear of slag and such. I'm using brass to lessen the likelihood that they get welded in place.