A welding manipulator for holding a welding head comprised of a base, rotating column and swivel boom is shown. The column includes a novel rotating apparatus comprised of a lockable rotary bearing, rotary housing, clamp shell and brake handle. In the unlocked position, the column rotates smoothly and easily around the base. In the locked position, the clamp shell engages and disengages the rotary bearing, thus locking the column in place.
The present welding manipulator also discloses a boom attached to the column with a swivel mount. This swivel mount allows the boom to be locked into an operating position or a shipping position for more compact shipping or storage. The disclosed welding manipulator also includes tracks on the column and a motorized screw drive to vertically position the boom.