henerythe8th Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 Posted similar prior to the BIG CRASH... Bought some steel at the scrap yard a week or so back, thought I was on my way to a GREAT start on my post vise stand... What I have is a piece of 3/4 plate about 24 X 36 with a 4'' SQ tube welded to the center, welded to the 4SQ and plate are 4 gussets (1/4 plate). When I got it cut to approximately the right height, I stood it on the concrete floor and determined that the plate is warped from all of the weld, it rocks like mad! Any ideas on how to ''get it back''? I don't think that my small (110v) wire feed will pour enough heat into that plate to pull it back. It's obviously too big to place in my forge/furnace... Suppose that a big propane weed burner torch would put enough heat into it that I could give it a smack or three with a sledge and get the rock out of it? Also considering welding three or four large (1 1/2 in diameter) ball bearings to the bottom of it, one of which would be placed directly under the leg of the vise... Suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woody Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 It would probably be easier to shim up the corners with some thin stock to keep the plate from wobbling than it would be to try to straighten it. Ball bearings will work but be careful they can shatter when you weld them if they have not been annealed. I would stick with mild steel shims and save the bearings for knives. Woody Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheftjcook Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 May sound crazy.... What if you were to weld a large nut on each corner of the plate, then thread a bolt thru each as an adjustable kind of foot. adjust the head of the bolt to the height needed. Then You would be able to lock it in with a lock washer and second nut. Not to lift but more to make up the warp of the plate or uneveness of a floor. If you move the stand you can readjust the bolts/feet to the floor. Much like the feet on a stove or washing machine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 Hofi has some ideas that may help in his BP1009 Post Vise. He has about the same idea as cheftjcook for leveling things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 I have some four foot round that I plan as a base. Plan on usuing a 3 in pipe thread as the base then use a vice 3 inch flange to hold the vice? Ralph Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henerythe8th Posted June 8, 2006 Author Share Posted June 8, 2006 I have some four foot round that I plan as a base. Plan on usuing a 3 in pipe thread as the base then use a vice 3 inch flange to hold the vice? Ralph I'm not sure I understand what you're saying, Ralph... Sometimes when we write, it makes perfect sense, probably because we have a mental picture of what we're describing, that's why a picture is worth a thousand words... Do you have a 4 foot diameter piece of plate? Going to weld a 3-inch coupler to the plate and then a 3-inch flange to attach the top end of the vise? The plan for mine was to weld a small "table top" of 1/2-inch thick plate to the top of the 4" SQ tube and weld a stub of the right sized pipe (3/4 or 1 inch) to the base for the bottom of the vice leg to be held by. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cory Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 Henry you can weld a couple of passes on the bottom side of the plate, may take a few passes in both directions. When done grind the welds off. I used to work at a place that made boat docks here in Missouri and sometimes the help would forget to clamp in the jig and it would come out twisted, I would run a few passes here and there to straighten. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rthibeau Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 You could shim the plate to level, then weld a 4" length of 1" square along the side of the plate at each corner to make the adjustment permanent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ten Hammers Posted June 11, 2006 Share Posted June 11, 2006 Just my humble opinion. you could forge some wedges ( good smithing skills) and slide them under the plate to level it. Even a 110 VAC welder should make a good enough weld to attach them to the plate once things are level. Then cut the extra length off so you don't trip on it. My nickels worth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rthibeau Posted June 19, 2006 Share Posted June 19, 2006 So, what did you end up doing to fix the problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph Posted June 19, 2006 Share Posted June 19, 2006 I have a 4 foot round half inch thick plate. my plan assuming my cancer alows, is to drill bolt holes and bolt on pipe couplings 3 inch, then use 3 in pipe and flange to hyold up vise. should work. if not try try again. Nice thing is that most stuff was gifted, the vise was given by aa friend who was dealine with MS, Grizz also gifted me with 6 years of friendship a forge,a motorcycle and more than I could ever say cya one day buddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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