Re: Welding Newbie

Took the paint off the edges to prepare for welding to the base.

Tack welded the sheet.

Re: Welding Newbie

Did a lot of practice welding using different rods. 6011, 6013, 7018 & 7024. It was not as easy as the Welding DVD tutorials show it . I will really need a lot of practice but I got an idea now of how the different types of rod behave. Probably a DC welder would have made things better.

However my main problem now is I only have a cheap welding hood with a No. 9 fixed shade. I could not observe the weld puddle well enough. I wish I had an auto darkening helmet.

I got some metal warping too but not much.

Re: Welding Newbie

This Quick Grip welding clamp is useful when you want to hold something to weld ( jaw opening = 6" ). I believe longer ones are available.

Primer coating

Re: Welding Newbie

Warping is normal. The professional welders in the company I used to work for told me they have to factor it and sequence their welds to keep things in place as well as to avoid stress points. This is particularly true when making things like machine frames. Precision machine builders that use welded frames even stress relieve their welds by slowly annealing them - which means just heat and cool slowly.

For a welding table, the thing to look out for are those scrap plates they use to cover streets diggings with ... another pro told me this.

Yeah I want a auto darkening mask too. If you find a good bargain bro please keep me in mind.

It is just practice practice practice ... looks like you are making good progress.

Re: Welding Newbie

Thanks for the comments Incc63. I was also thinking about those thick metal plates in the streets. If ever I will build a table then 3/8" thick will be my minimum target so I can fully utilize this for clamping.

I was also thinking if it would be better to compensate for the warping during fit ups. Say if I need a 90 degree angle then I just incline the piece to be welded a bit so it straightens out by itself during cooling. I never tried it yet but maybe it could make matters worst.

I found these auto darkening helmets and am tempted to go check it out.

http://www.sulit.com.ph/index.php/view+classifieds/id/1347047/referralKeywords/welding+helmet/Powercraft+Auto+Darkening+Welding+Mask

Re: Welding Newbie

nice work brother, wanted to learn that skill back then... no place, no space and worst of all, no molah for it... 🙂
keep it up...

Re: Welding Newbie

Thanks for the encouragements Timb. Your'e a master craftsman. I'm sure it would have been easy for you if you chose this craft instead of wood. I find that most of the things I learned from our woodworking had been made useful on metal too.

None the less l I find that metal is totally a different animal. I had this Skill jigsaw that I hate because it does not do well on wood. I was surprised that on metal it performed flawlessly. 🙂

Re: Welding Newbie

Here is the base installed now.

I'm getting ready to further organize this car wash bay into a full pledge auto detailing operation. I need to put up a ROOF . Either a tent type or corrugated roofing. Can anybody please recommend what would be good and probably a supplier.

Thanks

Re: Welding Newbie

The place to get tarp is along Gandara in Binondo. If you get a lot then it will be worth the trip I think.

One thing you might consider is using old billboards. Since you'll want your tent nice looking you can arrange the roof "double walled" with the printed-on sides facing towards each other. I suspect it will be less expensive AND you'll have a nice and cool roof.

Re: Welding Newbie

Thanks for the tip on the tarp.

How about the structure? I'm planning to use pipes? Will it be a good idea? Also I need the roof to be at least higher than a gasoline tanker. The place to be used for detailing has a gasoline tank underneath and a tanker has to at least be able to go just a bit inside in order to unload gasoline. ( Their gas hose is not long enough )

Re: Welding Newbie

The problem with a high roof tent is that it can be blown away much more easily. The best solution is to remove the tarp during typhoons.

Last Wednesday, I was at Metrowalk and I notice a nice tent frame design. Sorry I did not have a camera then. From what I've seen, pipes are usually used for the framework. Tarp vendors usually also sell frames but if memory serves me right the ones I saw at Gandara were not very well made. You should check them just the same.

Re: Welding Newbie

Thanks again for the ideas.

I'll check around some contractors too for price comparison . None the less these welding jobs are too much for a newbie. At best what I can do is hire a pro welder and provide all tools and materials. Probably much cheaper than farming out the whole build.

Re: Welding Newbie

How about 'shade fabric' or 'shade cloth'. For example, this one shows up in sulit:
http://www.proshadeinc.com/
The material is 'high density polyethylene shade cloth' treated with 'UV stabilizers' and claims to have 8 yr guarantee against sun degradation.

Anyone have experience with above or can recommend other similar sources?

What is the material of the Maruyama tarp sold in Binondo? How long could it last exposed to sun before needing to be replaced?

What is the material of the SM Baguio roof, NBC tent, and similar?

Re: Welding Newbie

Thanks Guad. I'll check that one too. You are right about the durability issue. This is something important to verify.

I added this 7" C-clamp to the welding arsenal. Looks like USA Made Petersen / Irwin Vise Grip supplies are drying up now in the local market.

545 Pesos

Re: Welding Newbie

For tight corners or places with clearance problems a Die Grinder is a very useful tool for grinding welds.

I need to buy some welding cables. What is a good brand? There is Taiyo ( P100/m ), Daiken ( P110/m ) and Kobe ( P35/ft ). All claim to be Taiwan made.