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the LIFE table build

we started today when i got home and i got 2 inch in so far and 5 blades . . . my friend and i are whipped .

local BIG shop has waterjet and plasma tables up to 12ft long . there getting the cut job for me .
 
I know of a steel supplier a few towns away that has a torch table that can cut up to 2" thick,and it can do just about any shape cut you want--not sure how big a piece it'll take though,I'd guess at least 4' x 8'...its amazing to watch the torch,it'll cut thick plate perfectly,almost as good as a plasma cutter..
 
Man, this talk about thick steel, makes me miss the tool and die shop I used to consult for. They regularly used 6X6 foot steel plate 4 to 6 inches thick. Imagine two of those with 4 inch hardened polished or chromed steel rods between them.
The rods were mounted and dowelled into one plate, and passed through zero lash bushings dowlled into the other plate. zero lash bushings are thick bronze or brass with hundreds of hardened steel bearings in them that the rod ran on.
Those were just the mounting plates for the actual dies that did the work.
Imagine a Greenlee hole punch with one half mounted on the bottom plate, and the other half mounted on the top plate with several inches between the two.
The whole assembly is mounted in a giant fast press.
You slide a piece of steel in, hit the press, and in a second you have a hold punched.

Except, these were not usually round holes, but complicated shapes. Next time you see a disk brake pad, look at the steel backing. They made the punches (dies) that punched out those plates. One big hit, and the plate fell out the bottom of the block.
They usually punched two at a time if I remember. And it not only punched out the shape, but it punched the mounting ears, and did any bending or shaping usually at the same time.
You would be amazed at the number of things that are punched out that way.

And as for cutting the holes in the plates or die pieces, they used wire EDM machines. Imagine cutting a two inch thick block of hard steel with a brass alloy wire the thickness of a hair. In a complicated pattern.

OH, and as for the steel plate, I suggest a Dremal tool.............
 
well today was it . . . . 6620 lbs worth of A360 plate 1" thick .found a sticker on it MADE IN BRAZIL

its at the cut shop for some time late next week or so .
 
:saweet:Oh yeah, heavy metal!
 
I have a 5/16" plate about 3x4 feet that I put in front of my fireplace insert wood stove ,over the carpet...
I lugged that ingot into the house alone after painting it--I used a hand truck to get it to the front steps,then had to lift it by myself and struggle to get it up the stairs..I made it half way when the plate hit the wrought iron railings and smashed my hand between the two,and I was forced to let go of it..

It hit the asphalt walkway to the steps on one corner,put a slight bend in it--I was so pissed off I grabbed it and the adrenaline rush allowed me to walk it right up the stairs and I placed it where it had to be..
It didn't look heavy,but I bet it weighs well over 200 lbs..

I have a slab of 1" road plate about 3 feet wide and a foot high--that thing weighs almost as much I bet,I put it on the back of my plow tractor in the winter,it really gives it some traction..almost puts ME in traction too though,every time I move it..
 
I don't disagree! I'm only 42 and would be in traction after moving one of those alone as well.
 
For some reason this thread of comments reminds me of getting frustrated with the ridiculous awkwardness of the np203 and finally just grabbing it and trying to carry it to where it needs to be. "OH SH@T, OH SH@T, OH SH@T!!!!"

It'll ruin a pair of pants for sure
 
I have a NP-203 out of a truck I saved a good 15 years ago,even though it "skipped" on take offs,probably has a slack chain...has a cast iron TH350 adapter on it too.

I used my hand truck to get it to my shed 100 feet away from the garage,I had to pull it,because pushing it wasn't working,it would just dig the wheels in the ground..

After I got it to the truck box I'm using as a shed,I had to get it up over the bumper ,a good foot off the ground..
I did it,but it felt like both my arms popped out at the shoulders in the process..
After I got it in the shed where I wanted,I had to sit down,and pant like a dog for a good 5 minutes before I was able to get my wind back..dam thing is an ingot,it must have weighed over 200 lbs..

I had a TH400 in the shed next to where I put it,and I had to move it,that thing felt like it weighed 50 lbs in comparison--plus you can grab the bell housing and tail shaft--the T-case has nothing to grab onto ..

I wouldn't attempt to move either of those items now,without using a hand truck,even then I'd be lucky to get them moved..

I can recall when I worked at the junkyard back 15 years ago,I could move a lot of stuff no one ever thought I'd be able to budge-..

One day my co-worker left a 345 International engine out of a bus lying right in front of the walk in door to the office--I whacked my shin ans stubbed my toe on it and said "smart place to dump that f-n thing"!--he grinned and said "Why don't you move it then",being a smart azz--I limped over to it,it was tipped on its side,I grabbed it by the valve cover,gave a good yank,and flipped it back upright,then I grabbed the fan blade with a rag and dragged it about 3 feet..his eyes were like > :yikes:...he says "OMG,your a lot stronger than I thought !"...

I said "No,I'm just like the Hulk--piss me off and I get a lot stronger!"..

He walked over to the engine and tried to move it,and didn't get it to move an inch..he just shook his head and said "Bob--you must have been really pissed",and I answered "still AM too!--I think I broke my toe!"..
I think he respected me a lot more after seeing me do that..he used to poke fun at me and make me the butt of practical jokes in front of other guys ,but after that he didn't do it much any more..he was a bull too,and could whip my butt easy,but I think he decided I wasn't the wimp he thought I was any more..

Now I bet a 10 year old could whip my butt..:doah: :(
 
Those got me looking around for plate. Now I want a heavy ast work table. There's a holt caterpillar being built down the street from me. All kinds of road work going on. Looks like maybe 5' X 12' plate but "?!"
 
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