Re: Welding Table

Temporary 2 x 2 x 2mm supports .... table is now reasonably flat

will need somebody to help me flip it up so I can use it temporarily to build the frames ... I'll ask my son tomorrow .... its really heavy

Re: Welding Table

DIY Metal Fabrication ..... to me it's about making things effective, efficient and most important of all "Easy" for the operator (in this case me working alone).

This is where a reasonably flat table top comes into play ...... big help.

At this setup I can fully weld one side already. However I will just tack weld it and flip it up and tack weld again. Don't want to rush things now until I know how my clamping will exactly behave to contain metal movement when heat is applied.

Re: Welding Table

Tack welded and grind ed.

Full welds

Some might be wondering why I didn't weld below using weaved beads or just plain straight runs ( stringer beads ) to make it aesthetically look good. The reason is because I want to minimize metal warping. The pieces are clamped on the 1/2" thick plate but sometimes "tak / toks " can be heard while the clamps fight metal distortions.

Most of the square tube builds we see in US forums use min 1/8" thick tubes. Here I use 2mm (undersize pa to 1.7mm ) so it's not good to make straight long runs. I weld alternately and let the metal cool down a bit before proceeding to the next.

Anyway these welds will be ground flush ...

Re: Welding Table

very useful deep reach clamps bro!

and very nice welds too...id probably flaunt them than grind.:banana2:

oh miller...

:rockf:

you are really enjoying the build bro..one step at a time...yeah it takes a lot of tinkering and sipat sipat...mahal kasi ng materials so better do it correct the first time.

DIY! the way to go.

btw..how do you keep the metals from oxidizing while they wait for you?

V

Re: Welding Table

@V

Thanks bro ....

Hmmmm I just keep the metals stored as they came from the store. Surface rust do build up but I wire wheel brush after I cut these or else they will wreck havoc on the gloves during fabrication. After fabrication I do use bronco prior to wire wheeling again and painting.

For the welding table I have not thought what to do with it yet. Since you mentioned maybe I'll paint the underside and keep the top as is.

Any suggestions?

Re: Welding Table

@V

Thanks bro ....

Hmmmm I just keep the metals stored as they came from the store. Surface rust do build up but I wire wheel brush after I cut these or else these will wreck havoc on the gloves during fabrication. After fabrication I do use bronco prior to wire wheeling again and painting.

For the welding table I have not thought what to do with it yet. Since you mentioned maybe I'll paint the underside and keep the top as is.

Any suggestions?

Re: Welding Table

Metal working is not for the faint of heart - one has to brave grinding dust.

Here after some grinding .... casters dry fit. I usually grind all my welds ..... kind of relaxing for me. However as V suggested I'm minimizing grinding now. Those welds on the undersides and parts that won't be seen I leave alone. Why not .... save on everything specially electricity. Last time the Mig Cart cost me 1.5K in power for the whole build.

I need to tap the bolt holes prior to welding these 3/8" plates on the base frame ....

It would have been easier to weld the casters to the base frame. However I want to be able to easily repair / replace the wheels in case something happened. Jack the table up ... service the wheels and be done with.

My welding " Codico"

Re: Welding Table

Nice watching your build JayL. From this point the quality of this table will be superb in the end...:victory:

.

Re: Welding Table

Nice watching your build JayL. From this point the quality of this table will be superb in the end...:victory:

.

Thanks bro.

OT : Hope the jigs are serving you well. 🙂

Re: Welding Table

I decided to finish the base frame . That means working on the caster base plates.

I need to drill holes and tap these.

Proto makes some of the best punches I have used. I have Snap Ons and Mayhews but I always felt Proto is a notch above. If you find these even in loose sizes ... buy ... specially this particular tool below.

I wish I have a Starrett to compare. 🙁

I do have 2 bolt sizes in mind to choose from for mounting the casters. M10 x 1.25 ( 14mm head ) and M12 x 1.25 ( 17mm head ). The 17mm is slightly larger than the caster plate holes so I need to file these up a bit. Overkill na naman.

Re: Welding Table

master,
sampolan mo kami ng kaliskis ng buwaya hehe pls? 😀

ang tibay nyan hehehe

Re: Welding Table

master,
sampolan mo kami ng kaliskis ng buwaya hehe pls? 😀

ang tibay nyan hehehe

Hindi ko pa na try mag weave ng mag weave pero pag sa makapal na bakal try ko.....

Re: Welding Table

Drilling ....

Drill at low speed with constant pressure and add some coolant . I have cutting oil, radiator coolant mixed with water, wd40 etc... all works depending on the amount of smoke / smell you want to have ... cutting oil is almost smokeless ...

16 holes all in all 27/64"

17mm ( M12 x 1.25 ) Metric Fine thread

Re: Welding Table

I used the drill press to start the taps for better alignment .... just loosen the belt and turn by hand ...

and finished tapping the holes using a tap wrench ... i used wd-40 as lubricant and blow chips using compressed air

Next time it will be easier. I purchased better tap wrenches but have not received these yet ... ratcheting design

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001GMVA5A/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

M10 bolts are a tad wider than the caster plate holes

very easy to trim using a carbide burr and an air die grinder

Re: Welding Table

I found some pics on my cell phone taken when the table top plate was being cut.

My mistake was to let them cut it in a single run. Next time I have a plate cut like this I will divide cutting into 3 or 4 sections . Each one giving the plate enough time to cool down before proceeding to the next section. Luckily the bow which resulted was manageable.

Got the bolts for the casters now. P15 each with washer and lock washer ( no nut )