Show us your welding projects

[neonnblack]

Didn't find a topic like this where everyone could share pictures of their good (or bad) welding/fab projects and maybe get pointers from other people. I'm hoping this doesnt turn into a shit fest if someone disagrees with someone elses procedures. So please, keep negative comments to yourself but share constructive criticism.

Nothing specific, ill start, even with me being embarrassed a bit about it. On with the pictures

Im a very begginer welder/fab person. I took metals in high school then dropped my motivation to continue it as a hobby, and maybe one day a career. I just started back up a few weeks ago and this was one of my first "projects".

Just a little square i made one day for practice:





This one had a large hole in the corner of it, and was one of the worse welds i did on the whole thing.

I never cleaned the welds either... oops.

I know not the greatest, but i dont plan on anything structural till i get a better welding unit so i figure its ok for now.

Now the welder i used, and you guys will hate me for this but...... It's a harbor freight http://www.harborfreight.com/welding...der-98871.html

I have had it for about 4 or 5 years now. Using fluxcore wire... and its on about a 75 foot extension cord... I know i know it could change but it seems to be ok for now.

I use my HF 41/2 angle grinder to cut up the metal. Btw any suggestions on cutting and grinding disks?

Thanks for looking, post up your welding projects and gear.

[Cryo Gal]

That weld was with a FC wire? hmm. Well, practice makes perfect. Just start welding the crap outta everything LOL Is that SS, looks white in the pic? What kind of wire you using? Not that Im any guru, just learning with ya!

Abrasive wheels...not HF ;-)

[Nighttrain]

Great idea on the thread. Now that my garage is about done I am looking at knocking the dust off the stick welder that belonged to my dad. I would like to start with this and a torch then move up to a Mig. Ill be watchin this thread.

[xwarp]

good idea.

i've got one of little lincoln weldpak hd units. works pretty nicely and i'm learning as i am going.

[neonnblack]

Originally Posted by Cryo Gal

That weld was with a FC wire? hmm. Well, practice makes perfect. Just start welding the crap outta everything LOL Is that SS, looks white in the pic? What kind of wire you using? Not that Im any guru, just learning with ya!

Abrasive wheels...not HF ;-)

Yep flux core, i cant tell if you mean that in they look good or could use some work, haha. either way any info on welding better with FC would be appreciated. And i am, i got a bunch of steel from work (its unused shelving systems btw not SS) Using .30 i believe im gonna buy a spool of lincoln or miller or a better FC wire to try as this is the HF wire. And this thread is mostly about learning and helping each other if anyone ahs a question.

[Neuswede]

Here's an engine cart I put together a few years ago for a Ford 1600 from a Lotus Super 7. I wanted to keep the engine portable, but have clearance to fit it under a workbench out of the way. I also didn't want to take a chance and have it tip over and mess up the Weber carbs, so this stand came about.

Some time later, I ended up selling the project car, then selling the motor to another buyer, provided I include the stand.

[frank1380]

This is a metal rod that functions as a bird feeder rod. Similar to this one at Amazon.com Essentially a long bar that hooks at the top and it has a support leg attached and you push it into the dirt. The little leg broke off and my dad asked me to weld it back on. I ran a bead like this down both sides. It was originally just tacked in one spot so it's not a real shock that it broke.




Fun and frustration all-in-one.




I'm not going to show any of my really ugly stuff and there is a LOT of it. My only welding experience was some light duty MIG welding to put new floor pans into my Beetle and my brother's Austin-Healey and that was 16 years ago.

[bauschracing]

This picture shows off two of my projects and one on the table in the works. I built this portable (movable) welding table out of 2" square tubing with a 1/8 top. There are crossmembers every 1 foot that are 1 1/2 square. Under the table are steps that serve a double duty. They act as a foot rest when welding and steps for getting in and out of the camper. These were miged using my Lincoln 180 Mig, but if you look, you will see my Westinghouse arc welder from the 1940's.
I am building a tubing bender on the table now.
Mike

[sberry]

Its hard to tell unless you flush it off a bit with the grinder but all in all it looks pretty good considering a few things. You could try a different wire but I doubt it make much difference, see what happens.

[justafurnaceman]

'81 Yamaha XS400 that I'm working on. Nothing too fancy. It's been a great learning project.



My little helper:

[Neuswede]

Originally Posted by neonnblack

Yep flux core, i cant tell if you mean that in they look good or could use some work, haha. either way any info on welding better with FC would be appreciated. And i am, i got a bunch of steel from work (its unused shelving systems btw not SS) Using .30 i believe im gonna buy a spool of lincoln or miller or a better FC wire to try as this is the HF wire. And this thread is mostly about learning and helping each other if anyone ahs a question.

My biggest obstacle for me to getting better weld quality had nothing to do with wire or the machine, but light; or lack of it. If you can't see your work piece, your weld quality will suffer. As we age, our eyesight diminishes, so I use a magnetic worklight on the piece, which helps see the piece better prior to striking an arc. I also practiced alot with sheetmetal, mainly because it is fairly affordable and I had alot of it. Welding thin stuff helps you think about heat control and warpage, and the more practice you can do, the better chance you have of producing better welds.

[2manytoyz]

I'm new to welding, and bought a basic Lincoln MIG welder setup. I made a lightweight hitch for my riding mower, which allows me to move a utility trailer from the back of my property, up to the driveway, and vice versa. Saves me from having to drive the heavy truck across the septic tank or drainage field.

I took the setup to my buddy's house to let him try welding:












This setup allows the use of the original hitch too, which is often found on garden tractor carts (fork type).

I also used this to haul the BBQ grill to the patio when we moved into the new house. The grill does have wheels, but they don't work well on St. Augustine grass.

[SWT Racing]

Originally Posted by 2manytoyz

I'm new to welding, and bought a basic Lincoln MIG welder setup. . .<snip>. . .I took the setup to my buddy's house to let him try welding:

I notice in a lot of the "in action" welding pics of newcomers to the MIG welding world that they are quite far away from the work and only using one hand. I always use two hands (if possible). . .one on the trigger and the other lightly supporting the nozzle in the gooseneck area. This allows more precise control of the gun for a consistent weld bead.

I also shove my helmet as close to the work as possible and still be able to focus my eyes so I can see exactly where the joint is and what the puddle is doing. We have to wear safety glasses at all times on the shop floor, and I've found that a good pair of clear/semi-mirrored safety glasses worn under the helmet will allow me to turn the shade down on my adjustable helmet and not get flash burn.

Keep up the welding! It is a great skill to have.

[xwarp]

why don't people weld without at least a long sleeve shirt and some gardening gloves or something?

i wear at least a sweat shirt and have some fireproof gloves when i do.

[Larwyn]

I have completed way too many fabrication projects to mention but here are a few of my favorites.

A receiver hitch for my lawn tractor
A cargo carrier for the tractor hitch
A stand for my slightly customized Horror Fright H/V bandsaw
A bicycle repair stand
A rack for the front of my '72 Raleigh Sports
A "mobilizer" for my weed burner
LeftCloseUp.jpg

RearView.jpg

CargoDeck.jpg

SawOverall.jpg

HPIM2501a.jpg

HPIM2537.jpg

Front.jpg

[cdseven95]

Originally Posted by SWT Racing

I notice in a lot of the "in action" welding pics of newcomers to the MIG welding world that they are quite far away from the work and only using one hand. I always use two hands (if possible). . .one on the trigger and the other lightly supporting the nozzle in the gooseneck area. This allows more precise control of the gun for a consistent weld bead.

I also shove my helmet as close to the work as possible and still be able to focus my eyes so I can see exactly where the joint is and what the puddle is doing. We have to wear safety glasses at all times on the shop floor, and I've found that a good pair of clear/semi-mirrored safety glasses worn under the helmet will allow me to turn the shade down on my adjustable helmet and not get flash burn.

Keep up the welding! It is a great skill to have.

Well he has no gloves on so I see why he is so far from the work! ... You learn to change those habits real quick though and start only welding with gloves... Oh and to the guy in the picture jeans do NOT stop slag and think of how you are sitting and WHAT is closest to the work.... PAIN!

[neonnblack]

Nice nice nice, i like the way this is going.

Nue: I agree with you with the light, i have to weld in the middle of the day or else i cant weld worth a damn. funny you mentioned that. The HF machine isnt a bad little machine though, it seems.

And i usually wear short sleeve shirt while welding, and depending on what im welding, ill wear welding gloves or not. I couldnt possibly hold a torch with one hand, im far too shaky. Normally if im standing, gun is in right hand, with my left hand holding my right from the top, with a little downward pressure.

[xwarp]

i've done a couple of welding repairs that i believe required some patience and steadiness.

in the first pics in this thread, and i am guessing because i am learning, is all that "over splash" or whatever it's called due to the welder being set too hot?

one of my repairs was welding an upper door hinge to the body side. unfortunately, these hinges are originally welded, but not where they should have been. the body obviously is thinner than the hinge so burning through the body metal while penetrating the hinge was a concern. luckily for me, i remembered that the body has a nice 1/4" plate behind the sheet metal to support the hinge so i ended up doing a decent job on that repair.

one thing i can state is that practice on spare metal. steel wheels are good too.

one thing i've learned, you have to move steady and consistent and you gotta get close to see your work.

[Yotaforce]

I weld according to the weather conditions.
Summer-100 degree heat and a fan blowing hot air around the shop=flip flops, shorts, tank top (which leads to sunburn, and spatter burned toes)
Winter-I'll start out dressed pretty warm, but anyone who welds on something long enough knows how hot it gets, so it migrates back to the tank top. Lol.
Here's something I finished up recently:
http://blog.diverse-customs.com/2011...oyota-4x4.html

I hope all the pics show up. Google seems to be dicking around with stuff that ain't broke.

[neonnblack]

Nice tilt bed build yota.

And Xwarp the extra splater can be from numerous things, in my case i believe i had to much wire out of the tip i.e. should stay near 1/2 i was prob more towards 3/4 or 7/8 or so. Flux core wire naturally produces more also.