I completed my first welding project today- making a stand to hold the engine and gearbox while I work on my project car chassis.
I paid £10 for 3m of 50x30x3mm box section (thats what they had going spare) and used some 3mm plate offcuts I got free for practicing on.
When practicing I found that even using the top power/voltage setting the welds only just penetrated to the other side (see pic 2), using a clarke 150TE with disposables, but running off a 13A supply. Is this because of the welders inherent limit or the aforementioned 13A supply?
Anyway I welded two pieces together and gave them a good whack, the metal seemed to giveway before the weld did, so I reckoned it was ok.
Welded it together and then set about removing the engine - a fairly interesting experience involving: a hydraulic jack, 4 axle stands, a rope hoist and a garage beam that wouldn't support the full weight of the engine and gearbox.
The last 3 photos show how it turned out, the welds are fairly messy with lots of spatter, but seem plenty strong enough (I hope). It may get a bit of bracing. One the whole I'm pretty pleased with it and the wheels (salvaged from a junked cabinet thing) mean it's easy to move out the way.
I paid £10 for 3m of 50x30x3mm box section (thats what they had going spare) and used some 3mm plate offcuts I got free for practicing on.
When practicing I found that even using the top power/voltage setting the welds only just penetrated to the other side (see pic 2), using a clarke 150TE with disposables, but running off a 13A supply. Is this because of the welders inherent limit or the aforementioned 13A supply?
Anyway I welded two pieces together and gave them a good whack, the metal seemed to giveway before the weld did, so I reckoned it was ok.
Welded it together and then set about removing the engine - a fairly interesting experience involving: a hydraulic jack, 4 axle stands, a rope hoist and a garage beam that wouldn't support the full weight of the engine and gearbox.
The last 3 photos show how it turned out, the welds are fairly messy with lots of spatter, but seem plenty strong enough (I hope). It may get a bit of bracing. One the whole I'm pretty pleased with it and the wheels (salvaged from a junked cabinet thing) mean it's easy to move out the way.
