KingpinSVT
Hard-core CEG'er
Well, they're not so pretty, but they should hold up OK. If you looked only at the welds, you could probably tell where I started and where I stopped. But being as the project is part of the practice, thats OK right? At first I had a problem with burn through, but then I started doing overlapping tacks and started to get a better feel for the metals "needs."
The table was project 1. The angle is significantly thicker, so it gave me more wiggle room for finding the correct settings. I did do a lot of cutting, grinding, re-welding until I felt that I got a good weld.
The cart is project 2. The tube is thinner and has helped me "refine" my touch. This was were I had burn through issues. The only problem is I ran out of wire (d'oh!) while trying to weld on the last angle piece for the rear casters (casters are wider than the tube, so I was using left over angle to give me more width). Anyway, its not finished, but its getting close. These projects take longer than I thought! I have to finish welding the caster mounts, and then the bottle bracket. Floors will be added when complete, of course.
I will say, having a good welding surface has greatly increased the accuracy and ease of my welding. The table was off square by about 1/16" to 1/8" in a few dimensions, but the cart is dead on. Guess thats the benefit of having the work up close to you with good clamping surfaces and not on the garage floor.
Comments are welcome, I'm a newb learning on my own so I could use them.
Don't mind the trash bag welding cover, it can get dusty in my garage and it will work until I get a real one. Its covering a Lincoln Pro Mig 140, which I've been filling with flux for the time being.
And the obligatory weld pictures:
1 good, 1 not so pretty
And running out of wire
:
The table was project 1. The angle is significantly thicker, so it gave me more wiggle room for finding the correct settings. I did do a lot of cutting, grinding, re-welding until I felt that I got a good weld.
The cart is project 2. The tube is thinner and has helped me "refine" my touch. This was were I had burn through issues. The only problem is I ran out of wire (d'oh!) while trying to weld on the last angle piece for the rear casters (casters are wider than the tube, so I was using left over angle to give me more width). Anyway, its not finished, but its getting close. These projects take longer than I thought! I have to finish welding the caster mounts, and then the bottle bracket. Floors will be added when complete, of course.
I will say, having a good welding surface has greatly increased the accuracy and ease of my welding. The table was off square by about 1/16" to 1/8" in a few dimensions, but the cart is dead on. Guess thats the benefit of having the work up close to you with good clamping surfaces and not on the garage floor.
Comments are welcome, I'm a newb learning on my own so I could use them.
Don't mind the trash bag welding cover, it can get dusty in my garage and it will work until I get a real one. Its covering a Lincoln Pro Mig 140, which I've been filling with flux for the time being.
And the obligatory weld pictures:
1 good, 1 not so pretty
And running out of wire
: