New Heavy Duty Rolling Shelf

[zoama]

Here is an interesting read on shielding gas and marketing snake oil. http://www.weldreality.com/MIG_welding_gases.htm Read the whole page please.

[Rambozo]

Yeah, I think I've read that article or one like it before. There is a lot of snake oil in MIG gas sales for sure. However, what is best in an industrial environment doesn't always apply to a hobby level, either. For instance it was mentioned that there is no need for any helium if you have a good 300-400 amp machine. Not exactly hobby class. In industry it would be foolish to use expensive helium, but adding a little can make all the difference when you only have 200 amps to play with. I think one of the biggest issues is that you just can't rely on getting accurate mixes anymore. I just want something like a C15 or C18 maybe with some helium as a goldilocks gas that I can use for short circuit or spray on all carbon steels. But I just can't find that, anymore. I guess I could blend my own, as you did. Seems like more hassle than it's worth, much of the time.

[zoama]

Yeah, I think I've read that article or one like it before. There is a lot of snake oil in MIG gas sales for sure. However, what is best in an industrial environment doesn't always apply to a hobby level, either. For instance it was mentioned that there is no need for any helium if you have a good 300-400 amp machine. Not exactly hobby class. In industry it would be foolish to use expensive helium, but adding a little can make all the difference when you only have 200 amps to play with. I think one of the biggest issues is that you just can't rely on getting accurate mixes anymore. I just want something like a C15 or C18 maybe with some helium as a goldilocks gas that I can use for short circuit or spray on all carbon steels. But I just can't find that, anymore. I guess I could blend my own, as you did. Seems like more hassle than it's worth, much of the time.

The only gas supplier in my area that deals with hobby welders at a reasonable price won't even discuss anything other than the basics like c25 or straight argon. If you ask about any other mix they say "what are you welding" ___ "you need this".
If you ask what gases they sell, they say "what are you welding" ___ "you need this".

[Rambozo]

I hear that. I used to have a great gas supplier that I used for many years. But the old man that ran it retired, and while his kids gave it a go, it just went downhill until they sold out to Praxair. Still looking for a new shop. Two short fill bottles in a row have soured me on the one I'm using now. I have heard some good things about another, but they are not very local. Still it would be worth the drive to get good service again.

[zoama]

Here's my way of building square frames like the rolling shelves I just made or anywhere you need 90 degree joints.
I take short pieces of 1" angle, cut the ends 45 degrees, clamp them to the table at 90 degrees and weld them together. I like for each side to be at least 10" for plenty of clamping space.
When you're ready to build a frame you just clamp them to your tube or angle and start welding. I fully weld the exposed sides of the joint without tacking, then remove the jig and weld the rest.
The rolling shelves turned out dead square with all four casters screwed in fully.