Height Adjustable Grates!

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Joe Jones
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Height Adjustable Grates!

Post by Joe Jones »

The project has begun. I designed the system. I am ordering the parts. All I need now is a 4x4 table for proof of concept.

The four "transmissions" are ordered through Amazon. The other components are on order in Nashville. When this all comes together, I will certainly make a video, and tell you how you can make this same mod on your own tables.

My previous mod raised the rails and gantry. However, I decided it would be better to lower the grates! :mrgreen:

Joe
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Re: Height Adjustable Grates!

Post by Joe Jones »

This is a VERY ROUGH mock up in Google Sketch Up, to show you how this GRATE ELEVATOR SYSTEM will work.

It will be electric, and the grate frame will remain level at any point. This will allow for more gantry clearance when needed, and also provide a VERY QUICK way to cut pipe up to 30 INCHES in diameter :mrgreen:

I will develop this further, and as soon as I can get my hands on a 4x4 table, I will build the working prototype.

I am planning to GIVE AWAY the parts list, and build instructions to anyone who wants to add this capability to his or her 4x4 table.

This will work equally well on BOTH the DHC2, and the older DHC tables. ;)

Joe

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Re: Height Adjustable Grates!

Post by weldguy »

Very interesting Joe. Makes sense to lower the cutting grates. Curious to see how this works out keep us posted.
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Re: Height Adjustable Grates!

Post by Joe Jones »

I suppose I could just MAKE a frame and a grate platform. It doesn't need to BE a PlasmaCam table for proof of concept. However, I only want to do the project once. so by doing the conversion TO a PlasmaCam table, I will have the photos, and measurements, and drawings, etc. to pass along to other table owners. I will also source the various parts that Amazon is dropping at my door on a daily basis.

The table legs will need to be spread apart 1/8" from center. This shouldn't affect the gantry on the rails, but it will give the platform the clearance it needs to move up and down without scraping the interior surfaces of the legs. The design will constrain the platform so that there is no side to side movement.

This isn't just about moving a platform up and down. It is about moving WEIGHT. If there is 48" square 2" trench plate lying on the platform, the mechanism must be strong enough to lift it when necessary.

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Re: Height Adjustable Grates!

Post by Joe Jones »

What a great day! Some of the transmissions arrived today from Amazon, and I found a table for the experiments too!

This table will get the drag chains, the center platform lift and the diagonal grate design. I am looking forward to jumping onto this one. It may even see a parts drop conveyor belt accessory too :mrgreen:

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Re: Height Adjustable Grates!

Post by Joe Jones »

weldguy wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 11:43 am Very interesting Joe. Makes sense to lower the cutting grates. Curious to see how this works out keep us posted.

All of the parts are ordered. 13 Amazon deliveries from now, I will have everything I need :mrgreen: I ordered two different levels. The smaller transmissions are a small gear box with 8mm shafts. I BELIEVE that four of them, driven by four dual shaft DC motors will be sufficient. However, the load rating on the transmissions is IF-Y :Wow It may be able to raise an empty frame and grates, but I doubt it could raise 300 lb. of steel piled onto the grates.

So I also ordered a full set of larger transmissions, gears, gear racks, couplers and motors etc. that have a 3/8" shaft. This cost more, but I think it will be the final choice. First I will install the 8mm set, and then if (when?) it fails, I will move to the heavy set. If the 8mm setup works on the 4x4, that leaves me with the 3/8" shaft setup for the 5x10 table :mrgreen:

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Re: Height Adjustable Grates!

Post by weldguy »

Nice Joe. I know what you mean about the smaller gearboxes not lifting a loaded cutting deck, but will it even hold it up?
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Re: Height Adjustable Grates!

Post by Joe Jones »

weldguy wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2024 11:05 am Nice Joe. I know what you mean about the smaller gearboxes not lifting a loaded cutting deck, but will it even hold it up?
That is to be determined. I will mount the small gear boxes first. If they explode in a rain dance of metal parts, :-o I will switch to the 3/8" shaft motors and transmissions. I bought ALL of the components to set up a lift using both the light duty and heavier duty gear boxes. Motors, shafts, gear boxes, gears, gear racks, couplers, etc. etc.

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Re: Height Adjustable Grates!

Post by Joe Jones »

It is freakin’ SNOWING in Ohio!
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Re: Height Adjustable Grates!

Post by weldguy »

Joe Jones wrote: Wed Mar 20, 2024 9:47 am It is freakin’ SNOWING in Ohio!
It's March, not so strange I don't think. Won't stick around for very long if any I am sure.
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Re: Height Adjustable Grates!

Post by Joe Jones »

I am back at home now with this table. What an awesome deal! The only thing is, this table is SO NICE that I am reluctant to start modifying it. I wonder if I should find an older DHC or something, and start working on that one instead. :roll:

Joe
Last edited by Joe Jones on Wed Mar 20, 2024 11:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Height Adjustable Grates!

Post by Joe Jones »

Ah, crud! Amazon sent me the gears I ordered. They look normal, but they DO NOT have set screws! The Amazon post said they do. I cannot decide whether to send them back, or just drill and tap them.

I mean, it shows the set screw in the photo!

Joe

htts://www.amazon.com/dp/B004BDO8GY?ref=ppx_yo ... tails&th=1
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Re: Height Adjustable Grates!

Post by Joe Jones »

In the Better to be lucky, than smart! department, the gear racks I ordered were advertised to be 48" long, so I ordered four of them, because I needed at least THREE feet. The racks arrived today. They are SIX feet long, so now I have enough to do TWO tables :mrgreen:

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Re: Height Adjustable Grates!

Post by Joe Jones »

One step closer! :mrgreen:

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Re: Height Adjustable Grates!

Post by weldguy »

Man that table is a beauty! As of the gears, I would send them back, looks like you have plenty to do in the meantime while you wait for replacements.
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Re: Height Adjustable Grates!

Post by Joe Jones »

weldguy wrote: Thu Mar 21, 2024 10:30 am Man that table is a beauty! As of the gears, I would send them back, looks like you have plenty to do in the meantime while you wait for replacements.
Aw, man! It is such a hassle to send anything back. I think I will just go to Tractor Supply and buy the RIGHT gears, and add these to my big pile of STUFF!

Edit: Tractor Supply does not sell gears. They have sprockets. :Sad

Joe
Last edited by Joe Jones on Thu Mar 21, 2024 6:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Height Adjustable Grates!

Post by Joe Jones »

The parts are trickling in. I don't know how they make any money! I ordered (16) 8mm couplers for the smaller motors, and ONE arrived. The others will be delivered soon, I guess.

I ordered 12 of the larger diameter couplers. FOUR arrived. I ordered four smaller motors. TWO arrived. This means the trucks will have to drive down AGAIN from Bowling Green , 25 miles away, to deliver the rest of the orders as they trickle in.

I told the drivers, "Just get a shelf and mark it "Joe Jones" Pile everything onto it and bring it all down on Monday morning in ONE TRIP :roll:

They said they don't work that way. I have had TWO amazon trucks arrive at the same time, each delivering 1/2 of the SAME ORDER. :-?

Today, SO FAR, I have has THREE Amazon trucks pull up, one DHL, one private carrier, and one UPS truck. By the time I get this table together, they will have collectively driven about a thousand miles JUST to deliver all of the parts :HaHa

I figure TWO of the larger motors can lift the platform, but I am connecting FOUR of the smaller motors, so that each drive shaft has a drive motor.

Joe
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Re: Height Adjustable Grates!

Post by Joe Jones »

It is coming together nicely!

CW = CLOCKWISE
CCW = COUNTER-CLOCKWISE
RL = RIGHT SHAFT LIFT UP
LL = LEFT SHAFT LIFT UP
ARROWS = DIRECTION OR ROTATION

Joe
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Re: Height Adjustable Grates!

Post by Joe Jones »

Holy Early Retirement Hopes, Batman!

I won't tell you WHO quotes the price on eight small gears for my grate elevator system, but they sure are proud of their work!

Joe
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Re: Height Adjustable Grates!

Post by Joe Jones »

Amazon has something "close enough" for a LOT less!

Joe
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Re: Height Adjustable Grates!

Post by Joe Jones »

These are the gears I chose. I can bore them to the proper shaft diameters.

$14.19 EACH is MUCH BETTER than $251.49 EACH :Wow

Joe
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Last edited by Joe Jones on Sun Mar 24, 2024 9:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Height Adjustable Grates!

Post by Joe Jones »

I got AMA-ZONKED!

Apparently, the NEANDERTHALS at Amazon cannot count. I ordered eight bags of eight bolts per bag. 64 BOLTS, RIGHT?

One bag was apparently torn open, maybe on a conveyor belt or whatever. The order called for eight BAGS of eight BOLTS. Whoever packed the order, repacked eight bolts into another plastic bag and taped it shut, and picked up ONE MORE BOLT off of the floor :roll: and tossed it into the package :-?

7 x 8 = 56 + 1 = 57 BOLTS There you go, Mr. Jones! your Amazon order of 64 BOLTS is complete! :roll:

I weep for America.

Joe
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Re: Height Adjustable Grates!

Post by Joe Jones »

Getting closer ...

All I need now is four little gears! :HaHa

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Re: Height Adjustable Grates!

Post by Joe Jones »

Hot Diggity! :mrgreen:

I found two more 4x4 tables! Gotta work out the $$ but things are looking good!

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Re: Height Adjustable Grates!

Post by weldguy »

Man o man you gotta lot going on Joe. Looking forward to seeing this project build, interesting idea.
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