Welding turntable/poisitioner.

[Rick]

Just having a look around and all seem to be around £800 and 50kg+.

I only need something that is 10kg, and more importantly goes pretty slow. Many are 0.5-6rpm's. For tig i'd be working at the very bottom of this range.

Any links to good ones?

Things to look out for?

 

[hotrodder]

AFAIK 50kg capacity is about as low as they go, typically capacity is almost halved with the table set vertically. With rpm being a function of the part diameter bigger positioners typically offer lower speed ranges i.e. 100kg capacity generally = 0.1ish rpm bottom end

Shox Dr built one a while ago, thread here... http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=17540

 

[Shox Dr]

Someone call

I might be building some more

 

[Drains]

I built one recently from a wee rotary turntable and a geared motor. Cheapo and simple, and crap, as it was all very cheap rubbish. I may also have forgotton to attach the earth once or twice and ruined the worm drive. Ahem.

The speed was theoretically good, but due to the iffy design of the turntable (with variable internal friction), the speed was variable too - no good on fine tig work.

You're right about the proper turntables being too fast. We now have one from MTA. It's OK, but I am using it near the bottom of the speed range on small items. Also because of the way it's designed (one of our electronic engineers couldn't stop laughing at the garden shed electronics), the motor has no torque at lower revs.

It could of course be slower and have better low end power, but would cost twice as much.

The one we have has a footpedal, and I know if I were welding bigger units with a higher turning tip speed, as it were, I'd make use of the footpedal to stop and start so that I could limit torch movement over a small distance, if the rotation speed was too quick. Eg stop table, move hand forward, start table, move hand back, giving constant welding and travel speed, but my hand moving back and forwards.... Hassle? Yes.
I'd rather redesign the table...

 

[Shox Dr]

And that is why I built one. If any one is interested in building a rotary table I suggest you read the tread (linky in HR post). It details all the Pros and cons of the build, though I must say myself, I think my version beats any costing thousands.


I've also had a few emails asking if Im making these to sell on, at present I haven't the time, but I am willing to sell a Kit that will consist of all the parts required bar the Box section, so all you'll have to do a weld up a frame. Let me find out how much it all cost and I will advise on cost.

 

[Rick]

I did remember reading you thread some time ago.

I'd be intersted in a kit of parts.

And that is why I built one. If any one is interested in building a rotary table I suggest you read the tread (linky in HR post). It details all the Pros and cons of the build, though I must say myself, I think my version beats any costing thousands.


I've also had a few emails asking if Im making these to sell on, at present I haven't the time, but I am willing to sell a Kit that will consist of all the parts required bar the Box section, so all you'll have to do a weld up a frame. Let me find out how much it all cost and I will advise on cost.

 

[inchpincher]

Me too please

 

[Paul G]

Hi All.

A powered turntable is one of the things I'd like to make, when I get round to it.

I already have the electrics that I plan to use. I while ago I came across an old Singer
sowing machine that was being thrown out. These have a 240v motor and variable speed
foot switch. I took these bits off and the rest went down the tip.
I bought a brass worm & cog off eBay that will get the speed down and am on the look
out for an old worn out (read cheap) lathe chuck that I could use to hold the work in.

I can just see myself. Rod in one hand, torch in the other, speed controller under the left foot and the welder foot pedal under the right.
It'll be like playing the drums.

Cheers,
Paul G