Project 2 from KSmith. Cateory: Welding Table

[Rodsmachineshop]

to me you can do about everything with a ac dc stick welder , I am not stepping on everlast welders but for a first stick welder since i don't think everlast makes a ac dc stick welder all i see is dc sticks in everlast . i would recommend a Lincoln ac dc stick welder you can get anew one at home depot for 387 dollars . that what i started with and still use it . reason ac and dc stick then you can use aluminum stick rods and other rods that need to be used on ac just like some rods like dc also http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...5X-_-100053881

[undercut]

to me you can do about everything with a ac dc stick welder , I am not stepping on everlast welders but for a first stick welder since i don't think everlast makes a ac dc stick welder all i see is dc sticks in everlast . i would recommend a Lincoln ac dc stick welder you can get anew one at home depot for 387 dollars . that what i started with and still use it . reason ac and dc stick then you can use aluminum stick rods and other rods that need to be used on ac just like some rods like dc also http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...5X-_-100053881

Ahhh, that's the tombstone I keep reading about? I've tried to do a bit of reading about stick welding aluminum but I keep reading conflicting reports. Don't want to hijack Ken's thread as he's got a great project here so I'll create a new thread about stick welding aluminum.

[KSmith]

You notice, I added a light duty sheet metal brake to the long side, 36”, made of 2”x1/4” angle. Made hinges from tube, and using ½” bolts. 1” square tube handle, with adjusting stop for leveling of the brake with table top. I can use an angle to check bending angle that way. The method of holding down the 2”x1/4” brake die is so-so, but for now it works.

The 2”x1/4” angle brake die edge which meets the metal was flattened with an angle grinder to give a sharper bend radius. The metal in these pictures is 18gauge, about .047”.



The brake doesn't get in the way, has a solid support, and comes in handy when I need it. I've used it with up to 16 gauge steel with no problems so far.

ken

[67cudafb]

I was trying to figure out how the brake worked, now I see you use the angle clamped down to hold the sheet metal. Smart. Table just the right size to wheel around as needed.

[KSmith]

I was trying to figure out how the brake worked, now I see you use the angle clamped down to hold the sheet metal. Smart. Table just the right size to wheel around as needed.

Right Bill. Like I mentioned, the angle comes with a rounded radius on the edges. To get the bend to be a bit more square, I ran the angle grinder down the angle to get a defined edge that meets the metal where the radius will form. Does a pretty good job.

ken

[KSmith]

I got around to drilling and tapping the holes in my welding needed for two clamps. They are these funky but useful clamps I got at HF. Now I can just screw them into the table to hold pieces in place for plasma cutting or just general support.

I drilled a 1/4" pilot hole first, and then a .404" hole before tapping M12 x 1.75.



ken

[NRM]

Ken nice table, thats how I would like to make mine. How did you line up the pivot points for the brake? I have read that is the most difficult part of building a brake like that.