First 'real' welding task

[Andrew D]

Just a little ditty. I have been sticking bits of computer cases together for some practice. The computer cases I estimate are just over .5mm thick, and so a bit thin for flux core from what I have been reading (despite the specs of the welder). Doing it by ear and moving when it sounds right though, and I am getting them stuck together. Then came the gifted tool chest with the broken draw. Removed it, bent it and its runners back to shape, found the tab that stops it falling out and... out came the welder. The draw now works, so I am happy, Just wondering what to do next.

 

[daleyd]

Trolley for welder and gas bottles!

 

[BrokenBiker]

i would say a trolley too...or a bench of some sorts...i dunno whether to buy a mig on next months pay day or wait and see how my tig adventures go but either way i will be making a bottle trolley at the least

 

[Andrew D]

I would like a cart for my welder, unfortunately at the moment I am having to watch the pennies, but if I have the money for the metal or can find some usable 'scrap', then I think you are right, that would be the perfect next project.

 

[Shedendman]

Dont forget the good ole woodburner project

 

[BrokenBiker]

I would like a cart for my welder, unfortunately at the moment I am having to watch the pennies, but if I have the money for the metal or can find some usable 'scrap', then I think you are right, that would be the perfect next project.

where do you normally get your metal from?

 

[Andrew D]

where do you normally get your metal from?

So far i have only used what i have kicking around, computer cases cut up with snips and some old nuts (as I wanted something thicker). Unfortunately a few weeks after purchasing the welder, November time, I found myself without work, 'cuts', so as yet I have not purchased any metal, and beyond welding small bits of pc case together for practise have, done nothing with the machine.

Tell a lie, I blew some holes in cat food tins the very afternoon i got it home

 

[Kent]

So far i have only used what i have kicking around, computer cases cut up with snips and some old nuts (as I wanted something thicker). Unfortunately a few weeks after purchasing the welder, November time, I found myself without work, 'cuts', so as yet I have not purchased any metal, and beyond welding small bits of pc case together for practise have, done nothing with the machine.

Tell a lie, I blew some holes in cat food tins the very afternoon i got it home

Tin openers are much easier to use

 

[Andrew D]

Tin openers are much easier to use

But nowhere near as much fun!

 

[mike 109444]

Look out for any one chucking an old bed as some had angle steel for the frame and would be about the same thickness as the machine mart welder trolley (look at there web site for an ideal of how there constructed.

 

[addjunkie]

A good source of metal is farm machinery and such things being shipped in from china,they are usually packaged in angle iron frames. Motorcycles arrive on steel packing frames. These packing feames allow the goods to be stacked inside containers.

I bought a mower for the quad recently, it came in a frame, when colecting it i took a sthil saw with me to cut some more up and scored both light box and angle. You just need to learn where to look

 

[Andrew D]

Dont forget the good ole woodburner project

I have been looking at your posts, and I might know where there is a gas bottle that has the top rusted off (still within the diameter of the handle) and has been full of rain water for years. I might have to empty it and give it a tap all over to see if it is rusted through anywhere else. If not, I am thinking smoker! I love a BBQ.

I bought a mower for the quad recently, it came in a frame, when colecting it i took a sthil saw with me to cut some more up and scored both light box and angle. You just need to learn where to look

Absolutely, yes I do, all part of learning this new game. And I have two ideas for what to do next as well now as well.

 

[cliff366]

I see your in essex where abouts ??as have loads of bits and bobs you can have if not far away

 

[skotl]

I would like a cart for my welder, unfortunately at the moment I am having to watch the pennies, but if I have the money for the metal or can find some usable 'scrap', then I think you are right, that would be the perfect next project.

Yep - it's a right of passage
Definitely keep an eye out for anything that might be re-purposed; watch gumtree for scrap metal (price of scrap is peanuts now) or old metal cabinets, desks, etc.

 

[cliff366]

Yep - it's a right of passage
Definitely keep an eye out for anything that might be re-purposed; watch gumtree for scrap metal (price of scrap is peanuts now) or old metal cabinets, desks, etc.

Yep agree with scrap price now I collect bits and bobs as I pass on the road but take the best bits motors cables etc then just give to another scrap man as I'm lucky if i get petrol money back weighing it in myself

 

[Andrew D]

I see your in essex where abouts ??as have loads of bits and bobs you can have if not far away

That is a very kind offer, I am in north east Essex.

Yep agree with scrap price now I collect bits and bobs as I pass on the road but take the best bits motors cables etc then just give to another scrap man as I'm lucky if i get petrol money back weighing it in myself

I will have to keep an eye out and an empty boot as I drive about.