Project #3 from Trip - Mission style decorative accents

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Originally Posted by everlastsupport

Trip,

Try to tack it up first (low volts), let it cool, then repeat, then weld? I know you don't have a TIG and that would help, but that would be one approach for using a MIG.

Strong hands are nice, but the price, I hear you there. But they are slick if you have all the parts. See Jody's videos.

What saw did you use for all the cuts?

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Yup, tacked low, tacked low, tacked low (etc.) full pass high. Worked well enough to get the job done.

I wound up using the Milwaukee 14" abrasive saw I bought. I took a bunch of pics, just been too busy to do a review on it. I hope to soon. Consistent cuts once trued up, I've been able to shave 1/32" off the end without deflection and it can cut and leave a blue sliver outboard of the blade (runs smooth, no runout).

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Originally Posted by 67cudafb

Trip don't feel bad you are not alone alot of us are in same boat. I with you on credit cards they will get you in trouble thats for sure. Hopefully things will improve.

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I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and it's close enough to know it's not a train :)

I was half kidding about the credit, we were pretty weighed down with CC debt in the 90s, so you have my sympathies.

The half that wasn't kidding though, figures that if you can hustle up enough work for a new machine in the next couple of months to pay for it plus the interest plus put some extra beer on the table, then it might be worth at least considering.

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Yup, tacked low, tacked low, tacked low (etc.) full pass high. Worked well enough to get the job done.

I wound up using the Milwaukee 14" abrasive saw I bought. I took a bunch of pics, just been too busy to do a review on it. I hope to soon. Consistent cuts once trued up, I've been able to shave 1/32" off the end without deflection and it can cut and leave a blue sliver outboard of the blade (runs smooth, no runout).

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Weird. Yea, too bad no TIG to lock it all down (or just weld it). Maybe the lower amps just created to much heat when melting the steel. Do you have a larger MIG? You might want to look at the MTS 200S :)

On the saw. I myself have been watching the Rage 3 (non abrasive) with the metal 55 blade, the shipping has stopped me from pulling the trigger a couple times now, so it is sort of in the price range online. But I keep seeing "Milwaukee" pop up here and there for just a little more cash. And people love them. But the miter/bevel is also something I am looking for as well. Who knows what Santa will bring..

Wow, talk about digging up an old thread...

I actually finished this project today, only one quick shot of them standing in front of the welding table, but I'll post in a week or three once they're installed

http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ju...F7542A8422.JPG

http://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aR...FD7B889896.JPG

Can't believe it took this long. Had I known, I'd have just waited another few weeks and done it with the TIG I just bought...

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Originally Posted by Trip59

Wow, talk about digging up an old thread...

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I glad you brought it back otherwise I would not have seen it at all ...

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Originally Posted by Trip59

I actually finished this project today, only one quick shot of them standing in front of the welding table, but I'll post in a week or three once they're installed

Can't believe it took this long. Had I known, I'd have just waited another few weeks and done it with the TIG I just bought...

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Nice project! Can't wait to see what you do with the TIG. Cheers!

Thanks!

There are a few others from last fall before I disappeared, those that get finished I'll post back to. Welding cart is getting an upgrade soon and some new ideas coming up.

I've got the first project in drafting stage now, laptop mount for 18 wheeler cabs.

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Originally Posted by Trip59

I've got the first project in drafting stage now, laptop mount for 18 wheeler cabs.

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I think I read about your laptop mount project at some point when I was perusing the threads. It actually inspired me to think about a project I might do for myself at some point.

Nice to read about this project with the relatively thin square tubing. Once I get a welder, my first project will be using the same type of material so it's kind of nice to see what you used and what some of your challenges were. Fortunately, I would be doing anything that needs to look terribly good but we all want to be proud of our projects .... It'll have to be stick for me so wish me luck ....

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Originally Posted by undercut

I think I read about your laptop mount project at some point when I was perusing the threads. It actually inspired me to think about a project I might do for myself at some point.

Nice to read about this project with the relatively thin square tubing. Once I get a welder, my first project will be using the same type of material so it's kind of nice to see what you used and what some of your challenges were. Fortunately, I would be doing anything that needs to look terribly good but we all want to be proud of our projects .... It'll have to be stick for me so wish me luck ....

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Enough practice and you can do some remarkable things with a stick and a steady hand.

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Originally Posted by Trip59

Enough practice and you can do some remarkable things with a stick and a steady hand.

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Well now, we'll have to see about the steady hand part ... :D Thanks for the encouragement!

Well, no pics yet, but I got a call that made my day. They got the pieces, UPS didn't damage them, and they're beyond thrilled with the final product.

I am disappointed I wasn't able to TIG them up, I'd have liked to have welded the inside corners to seal them up, but he hit them with a heavy coat of rust converter and is painting them heavy. With the tight joints, that should seal them up well enough to not have moisture/rust issues.

Of course, me being me, I was dissatisfied with them, but it's always nice to hear you've exceeded expectations from a perfectionist.

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Originally Posted by Trip59

Well, no pics yet, but I got a call that made my day. They got the pieces, UPS didn't damage them, and they're beyond thrilled with the final product.

I am disappointed I wasn't able to TIG them up, I'd have liked to have welded the inside corners to seal them up, but he hit them with a heavy coat of rust converter and is painting them heavy. With the tight joints, that should seal them up well enough to not have moisture/rust issues.

Of course, me being me, I was dissatisfied with them, but it's always nice to hear you've exceeded expectations from a perfectionist.

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For some reason, I thought these were for yourself. Well, like you say, as long as the end recipient is happy. That is all that really counts. Call it a day and a successfully completed project. Congrats!

Ok, final pic arrived today

http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Rq...B04FB953E5.JPG

They're thrilled as can be. I might have made them a bit wider if I'd been there to measure, though I understand where he came up with the dimensions.

Nope, not for me, Dad asked for them. Looking back on the whole thing, it was an interesting experience, I'd have much rather done it with a TIG than MIG, but it all came out ok in the end, just a TON more grinding than I'd have liked and a few more open joints (I left the inside corners alone, only welded flat areas and flush joints).

Cost me about $250 after all was tallied up and the last monies were sent over, but that's because there was $500 or so spent on durable equipment (welding table and Milwaukee saw).

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Originally Posted by Trip59

Ok, final pic arrived today

They're thrilled as can be. I might have made them a bit wider if I'd been there to measure, though I understand where he came up with the dimensions.

Nope, not for me, Dad asked for them. Looking back on the whole thing, it was an interesting experience, I'd have much rather done it with a TIG than MIG, but it all came out ok in the end, just a TON more grinding than I'd have liked and a few more open joints (I left the inside corners alone, only welded flat areas and flush joints).

Cost me about $250 after all was tallied up and the last monies were sent over, but that's because there was $500 or so spent on durable equipment (welding table and Milwaukee saw).

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They turned out great! I like the dimensions (and besides, the customer is always right although sometimes they want you to give them what they were thinking as opposed to what they were saying ....) ;)

I might have a project later this year that is similar. May need to stick weld it rather than TIG because of limited budget so I'm with you about the grinding and inside corners ....

Trip,

I think it looks great.

Remember the 6' rule. If it looks good at 6 feet or more, it's fine.

TIG it, no one would see it but you.

OK, I would see it and everyone else on this forum would too, but no one else. Kidding, no one will probably get that close that speaks English (South Florida joke) other than your Dad.

I bet if you did the project again, the steel would be $25-$50 more.

Anyway, I like the thinner frames, as the plants will grow and cover them if too wide.

Thanks all.

Well... my main point regarding TIG, I could have gotten the inside corners, leaving no easy way for moisture infiltration. I wasn't about to try to get MIG inside 1/2" square corners, 2" away from each other. No way to grind and finish, no angle that would produce clean enough welds.

They look fine at about a foot, and you can't get closer than 5' due to the gardens, more really.

Has steel gone up that much since October? Only paid $150 for all the steel for this project with several pieces left over. Total used was probably about $75.

Turned out really nice! Thanks for posting the final picture :)

Trip,

Where are the folks located.

Thanks CGCINC, trust me, we all wish it wouldn't have taken so long :)

Mike, they're down nearer to you, Boynton Beach.

Surprisingly, shipping wasn't that bad. Had the UPS store pack them and ship them and it came out under $125

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Originally Posted by Trip59

Mike, they're down nearer to you, Boynton Beach.

Surprisingly, shipping wasn't that bad. Had the UPS store pack them and ship them and it came out under $125

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Well shoot. I can drive over and see them. hahahaha.. Should have taken a picture with me in it with a thumbs up and posted it. That would have been funny.

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Originally Posted by everlastsupport

Well shoot. I can drive over and see them. hahahaha.. Should have taken a picture with me in it with a thumbs up and posted it. That would have been funny.

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Next time I'm visiting I'll give ya a call... maybe we'll snap a pic with both of us in it :)