OT: First Welding Project
I finally got off my butt and started doing some projects. First one is a wine rack made for a friend's birthday. The top is a 12" granite tile that matches tiles that he just used for his kitchen countertop. The rack is painted with a hammered bronze finish.
My welds are still ugly beginner welds. So for the most part it's weld... grind... weld... grind... I'm getting great practice with the angle grinder!
The hardest thing on this project was trying to get all the right angles square. I need lots more clamps, corner clamps, magnets, and jigs to make this easier.
Anyway, I thought it turned out acceptable for the first project.
My welds are still ugly beginner welds. So for the most part it's weld... grind... weld... grind... I'm getting great practice with the angle grinder!
The hardest thing on this project was trying to get all the right angles square. I need lots more clamps, corner clamps, magnets, and jigs to make this easier.
Anyway, I thought it turned out acceptable for the first project.
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That looks great Shawn! I'm sure your friend will be pretty pleased with that; especially if you stock it :angel:
Welding is definitely a learned art, no amount of VHS tapes and reading tips will steady your hand. I went through a lot of grinding wheels when I was learning too.
BTW, is that square tubing or barstock? A light "tack" at each joint for initial assembly (and then check for square/plumb & level) before finalizing each weld will go a long way towards keeping the final assembly straight and true. The heat from the welding process distorts the metal, but if it's all tacked together before the really heavy (heat generating) welding is done, the pieces can't pull (very much) out of position. Skipping around (not literally...) will also help to keep the generated heat to a minimum.
But still, NICE WORK! :thumbup:
///M-Bark said:
Nice Job! Are you using a MIG welder? I've been thinking about getting a small MIG to start. I haven't welded since high school. I've always been an artisan in one way or another.
Yes, it's a Millermatic MIG - see this thread for prior discussion:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88782&highlight=millermatic
He'll get it this weekend - luckily he doesn't peruse the forums.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88782&highlight=millermatic
Bonezilla said:
He gets one bottle to go on it - the rest is up to himRandy Forbes said:
He'll get it this weekend - luckily he doesn't peruse the forums.There's a lot to be said for a steady hand. Plus the right combination of voltage, wire speed, distance, gas pressure, etc. etc. Lots to learn and I expect it'll come together with practice. Projects like these are a great learning experience. I won't get near my coupe yet!Randy Forbes said:
That's 1/2" barstock, with angle for the top frame. Thanks for the tips - the project book I used had the same hints but it helps to have them reinforced.Randy Forbes said:
Thats pretty... you will be welding in reinforcment plates and diff hangers in no time...
(to periscope depth!)
Very nice!
(dive! dive!)
Very nice!
(dive! dive!)
Nice work, looks like you got everything ironed out!
Now work on making a 16 bottle rack, and your friend will be really happy!
Now work on making a 16 bottle rack, and your friend will be really happy!
///M-Bark said:Yes, it's a Millermatic MIG - see this thread for prior discussion:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88782&highlight=millermatic
He gets one bottle to go on it - the rest is up to him
There's a lot to be said for a steady hand. Plus the right combination of voltage, wire speed, distance, gas pressure, etc. etc. Lots to learn and I expect it'll come together with practice. Projects like these are a great learning experience. I won't get near my coupe yet!
That's 1/2" barstock, with angle for the top frame. Thanks for the tips - the project book I used had the same hints but it helps to have them reinforced.
Shawn all my welders prefer to sit on their butts while welding. If you want to try Aluminum come on over. I'll let you play around with the Miller 350 syncros or the 355 Lincoln squarewave. It's a Tom Sawyer thing"I love the smell of Argon gas in the AM"
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