Help me choose between the Ultra heavy duty cast table and the x-frame steal top tables.
First, I do all kinds of fabrication, wood, metal, pipe, fabric, etc and use welding tables as my primary work bench for every project so it is tasked to perform in random challenges fairly consistently.
My concern between the two table options is how atypical force is handled by these tables types. Lets say I bolt a 12” x 6’ frame that attaches some sort of tool or arm that is heavily leveraged to the middle of these two tables (say both are ~4’x8’ tables). If the force this bolted frame wants to twist clockwise or counterclockwise but in parallel to the 6’ side, will the x-frame handle this as well as the solid cast table? Will the plates want to pull up on one side?
I really like the x-frame table option but I’m curious about how the plates and also the mounting hardware will handle atypical force like upward pulling force, sheer force (say all mounts are on one single end plate and the force is applied in parallel but to the left and right). Will the mounting hardware be sufficient to hold the x-frame table top plate securely as well as I’d expect the ultra duty table to handle it? Will it remain flat or need recalibration?
Seems the x-frame might be a little iffy in these scenarios, but wanted to get feedback. Thoughts?
You can expect almost equal performance out of both tables, the difference you are worried about is negligible when it comes to both systems. unless you are putting tens of thousands of lbs of pressure on the plates you will not see deflection. it is virtually impossible for the plates to bend and lift. Each one is held down with 12 fasteners.
The amount of prying force to lift and bend a 1” tool steel plate bolted down to 3,000lbs would be staggering. We’re talking hundreds of tons of force. The x frame is designed for fabrication that requires the surface to change, stainless, aluminum, tool steel, no holes blank plates. The table can adapt to the user’s conditions. If none of those conditions are needed the cast iron is the way to go for general fabrication and torture.
Thanks for the feedback.
Would it be safe to assume that the ultra duty table would be the most rigid followed by the x-frame, then the heavy duty? I’m assuming because of the i-beam under carriages that the ultra duty and x-frame have additional rigidity. Or, do you sacrifice rigidity with the x-frame because it lacks an integrated one piece top?
Jason, have you done a video on the x-frame table? I swear i saw a video once but I can’t find it now. I’d really like to take an extra look at the fasteners and set screw system that it uses. Many thanks in advance.
It was a YouTube short on the x frame. I have more content coming out soon on the design.
I found two shorts on the x-frame, one on the granite leveling block and one from the sema show. What a sexy table, I want to put a mattress cover on it and use it as a bed.
Noticed the sema show table had a different mounting offsets for the fasteners, so assuming there has been a revision or two with the design. Is the current design what the store website displays?
I’d still like to get your guys opinion on the torsional rigidity of the three tables I mentioned above.
From using both a Bluco and Fireball table , I would say that the tool steel surface would hold up better to general workbench work, cast will scratch faster if you drag something sharp over it, etc.
Those were 2 different sizes. 5x10 and a 54x72. The mounting plates are different between the two.