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| Flange Stand in operation |
Keith had no
idea this experience would spark such a passion for welding. At 14 he assisted
with fabricating and doing most of the welding on a rotisserie pig roaster -
still in use today. He bought his first welder before graduating high school,
obtained a pipe welding certificate, and started his own portable welding
business – still going strong.
With over 30
years of welding experience under his belt, Keith spent a great deal of time
working with flanges, fittings, and pipe. He found setting up flanges to be a
challenge and tried to develop makeshift jalopies out of vises and clamps.
These he attached to the back of his truck. Keith wasn’t satisfied. The crazy contraptions
worked, but they were limited. He felt the process was too time consuming
making the effort greater than the welding task.
Frustrated,
Keith set out on a mission to locate a tool, a portable device that could hold
and level flanges, fittings, and pipe. He wanted something he could toss on his
truck and be able to carry it to any location – indoors, up several floors or
outside in the middle of a cornfield; portability was a must.
Keith wanted
a holding and leveling device that would be durable and preferably made from
stainless steel; the ultimate weather resistant metal. He only wanted to buy
one and have that one last his welding career.
Keith not
only wanted a portable tool he could take virtually anywhere and a machine
durable enough to handle being tossed around and left in nature’s elements, he also
wanted a device that would not only hold a flange, fitting, or pipe but could
have the capacity to move in different angles and positions in order to get a
precise level. Most importantly Keith wanted to find something that would KEEP
THE PIECES FROM MOVING.
Keith wanted
this ultimate machine to have the strength to hold and level multiple pieces
that would include flanges, fittings, and pipe.
Keith looked
for such a device and soon discovered there was nothing available to suit his
needs.
So he built
one.
Made out of stainless
steel, assuring it would withstand anything Mother Nature could throw at it,
the holding and leveling device is composed of two parts that include a
foldable tri-pod stand and flange, fitting, and pipe holding assembly.
This device can
rotate, pivot, and swivel for a full range of motion. Equipped with 7 different
locking points you can be assured that no piece will move or slip out of place.
It wasn’t
until Keith had the holding and leveling device on location and people around
him started making comments like, “Where did you get that?” and “Where can I
get one?” that Keith realized he may be onto something.
Believing
this amazing machine could help other pipe fitters and welders, Keith launched
a plan to give the device a name, have it patented, and be made available for
purchase.
Keith
Greenawalt, welder and pipe fitter, is proud to introduce the Flange Stand: the
ultimate device for holding and leveling flanges, fittings, and pipe.
