Project #3 from Trip - Mission style decorative accents

[Trip59]

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 ....

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

[undercut]

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

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

[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.

[undercut]

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.

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!

[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).

[undercut]

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).

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 ....

[everlastsupport]

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.

[Trip59]

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.

[redbeard]

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.

Dang, I missed that one completely. Time to do a search.

I get inspired to think about projects way too much here. What I really need is inspiration to make the time to do some.

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.

Those turned out great! Thanks for the final update.