What Is a Standard welding table hole size?

We received this review on the website and I thought it be a great topic for discussion.

What the heck is a standard hole size? Why not 7/8 or 1in holes.
I made this video 2 years ago to help explain the problems.

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@Fireball_Jason you posted a little chart a few days back I think summarizing the hole size and spacing that you’re aware of being produced by various companies. I didn’t quickly find it, but would suggest that this might go a ways toward addressing someone expressing concerns that the Fireball 3/4 X 2 system is “non-standard.” The point being that I don’t think there really is a Standard, just different conventions used by different manufacturers. Though as soon as I write this, someone will point out that there is such standard somewhere…I’m just not aware of it.

Your chart is also important because to be able to take full advantage of a fixture table, hole size, spacing and pattern all need to be taken into account.

Fireball Tool: We Build Better Mousetraps! :wink:

–Larry

Yes here’s the list your inferring to.

5/8 2"x2" USA
3/4 2"x2" USA
3/4 50mm x 50mm EU
16mm 2"x2" USA
16mm 50mm x 50mm USA, EU
22mm x 100mm x 100mm USA, EU
28mm x 100mm x 100mm USA, EU
28mm X 4"x4" USA

I’ve seen photos of tables of all sorts of different hole spaces, hole centers and even weird shaped holes.

My opinion is that the hole centers are more important than hole diameter. Pick the shortest distance. It will save you money and be more versatile.

Why wouldn’t a person’s initial thought be " hmmm those don’t fit the tooling I have, oh well guess I’ll go somewhere else."
Instead his initial thought is " how dare he make something I can’t use, let me loudly proclaim how mad it makes me."

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There are different sizes for different kinds of work. Watchmakers have alignment fixtures with little tiny 1mm tapered brass pins. Caterpillar has welding fixtures with what looked like 3 or 4" diameter pins for welding up bulldozer frames.
Match your fixtures to the kind of work you do. One size does not fit all.
I think 5/8" (16mm) was a good match for the sheet metal tables.
For the cast tables something beefier is required and 3/4" (19mm) is a good trade off of strength and spacing. 7/8" (22mm) starts to get a little tight on a 2" or 50mm grid. Like you say the grid is everything and needs to match the work you do. A 2" grid is pretty good compromise, and with the toothed washers, plenty precision for a welding fixture.

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how can you not love this guy. he has a logical reason for all his decisions and can talk through it. there was no decision based on “thats how its done”.

i make my son listen to all his videos so he understands how to build a better products. question everything.