We have all as welders and metal fabricators heard the word “Bluco” and the curtains to the garden of eden separate. In other words, it’s the best.

But the best at what?

If you’re into brand names and snobbery, the Bluco welding tables are supposed to be the best. But really what are we talking about?

A claimed flatness of 0.002″ over 12″? Check. Finishes such as coatings to help prevent slag from sticking to the table? Check.

So what are we talking about? The tools.

If you’re used to welding and doing layout of work on a metal table that consists of welded posts and a sheet of some thickness, it’s a great start. But what about those intricate fixturing problems and repeating the process for multiples? Now you’re not as happy, are you? If you come from a world of repeatability, these tables (or frankly any table) that has the option to attach workholding tools is a blessing. The Demmeler and Siegmund tables are just that. They are steel tables with precision drilled holes based on a grid pattern that allow you to “pin” tools in those holes. Tools range from clamps (of course!) to stops (for repeatability). In the USA, the “Bluco” tables have been the gold standard. But with the recent introduction of the Siegmund table by the fine folks in the West Coast as US distributors, we now have competition (Sorry, Bob).

We’ve also noted that within recent years, even Demmeler has introduced a “hobby” line of tables based on their higher end tables. They claim the same manufacturing processes but lack a coating on the table and other features such as the tick marks (do we really use them? They’re in MM!)

To be continued…

Hi there! We finally acquired a size A Multi fix QCTP after falling in live love with the Size B for the Mori Seiki MS-850/1050.

Here’s what we started out with on the left, a quick indexing four station Hardinge turret and then the Phase 2 piston style Aloris clone QCTP from our Harbor Freight 8×12 lathe to the size A Enco branded Multi fix.

Here’s the nameplate for the Type A. Its made in Switzerland by J.A. Minder.

The Hardinge is a great start foe those of us who have production in mind. However, we are limited to only four tools and a single angle per tool. This is a repeatable four position holder. The Aloris style as its base form allows only one tool. Once the tool is removed, it is near difficult to reproduce the same position.

Let’s now jump to the amazing Multifix.

Firstly the toolpost allows forty positions per tool. OK, we probably won’t use all forty positions, each tool angle can yield a usable plus or minus 45 degrees at max. That’s only roughly 10 positions. We are generalizing and rough math-ing it but you get the gist. What is amazing about the Multi fix is that we have an infinite number of tools only limited by the number of tool holders and then for each tool we have those ten additional positions per tool!