Getting a little 'workstation' set up?

[Che]

Just last week got an entry level gas-less mig welder - then found a heavy metal table (second hand and advertised as a welding table, but clearly cant have been because it's got a powder coat paint all over it- but it is good and heavy ). This is already progress for me, as I was welding on the floor of the patio with Hardiebaker board underneath the work piece for the first 2 days.

So, a question for those of you who've been at this some time , if you were only doing some basic projects and on a budget (gates, sculptures and small garden/shed things), what tools/clamps/extras to make life a bit easier and make welds a bit smarter would you get first? The only thing I have bought specifically was a magnet 45 degree from Lidl. And I already had a pair of snips for taking the end off the wire.

 

[Wildefalcon]

A good torch.

 

[Barking Mat]

Angle grinder and PPE.

Tape measure.

Couple of clamps are a good start.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[addjunkie]

Fire extinguishers

 

[Screwdriver]

Fire extinguishers

I second that. The risk of fire is very high in a regular shed, so if you don’t have a dedicated welding section you need to do a comprehensive risk assessment for anything not impervious to molten slag!

 

[redlig]

Have a good look at the photo's of the members workshops and make a list. It doesn't have to be new kit as long as it works .

 

[MikeBs]

My welding table is a 2ft by 2.5ft sheet of 3mm stainless steel that I welded an earth clamp to and I put on my bench, but can be removed when I’m not using it.
I also bought a Lidl vice which I soon realised was useless and got a Record 23 as a proper one and the Lidl one is now just a vice to hold things I’m welding.
I use magnets occasionally, but find they clog up with iron filings and am never sure if the deflect the arc from the MIG. Cleverer people will know if that’s a thing.
Good PPE is a must, the first time a bit of splatter burns through your trainer will make you realise this!

 

[tom2207]

digestives ... ideally chocolate ones ,, sometimes a wee sit down and a bit of a think is worth its weight in gold ,, so have a cup of tea and a think ,,, also just buy a box of welders chalk now and be happy as there will always be chalk to hand when you need it , a decent square is a must have , as its always in one hand.

 

[Easywelder]

A decent square for checking, jigging and marking up.

 

[Che]

My welding table is a 2ft by 2.5ft sheet of 3mm stainless steel that I welded an earth clamp to and I put on my bench, but can be removed when I’m not using it.
I also bought a Lidl vice which I soon realised was useless and got a Record 23 as a proper one and the Lidl one is now just a vice to hold things I’m welding.
I use magnets occasionally, but find they clog up with iron filings and am never sure if the deflect the arc from the MIG. Cleverer people will know if that’s a thing.
Good PPE is a must, the first time a bit of splatter burns through your trainer will make you realise this!

I've found a small used Record vice on FB marketplace - just got to go over and collect it.

Can you tell me , or show me the earth clamp set up please?

 

[tom2207]

Fire extinguishers

a garden weed sprayer , the pump up one works well , and is great round cars etc should you go down that route , and its not as big on the commitment front as using a fire extinguisher ,,, dont skrimp , spend the 25 quid for the good one though . [ full of water , not weedkiller ]

 

[Che]

digestives ... ideally chocolate ones ,, sometimes a wee sit down and a bit of a think is worth its weight in gold ,, so have a cup of tea and a think ,,, also just buy a box of welders chalk now and be happy as there will always be chalk to hand when you need it , a decent square is a must have , as its always in one hand.

Welders chalk? Well, that sounds handy as the only practise welds I did were wobbling all over the place - but that could have been from being unable to see much to all, rather than a straight in chalk to follow. Haha

Although, I was out today, and it was very bright sun, and I had removed the 'end piece' nozzle , and I put my glasses on under the mask this time, which helped a lot - i could see a lot more this time

 

[Che]

a garden weed sprayer , the pump up one works well , and is great round cars etc should you go down that route , and its not as big on the commitment front as using a fire extinguisher ,,, dont skrimp , spend the 25 quid for the good one though . [ full of water , not weedkiller ]

Thanks for the tips everyone, I appreciate it. Especially the the PPE stuff. I have a half decent mask from Screwfix if you can believe the positive reviews, and toe-protector heavy duty trainers too.

BTW I am not actually welding in my shed, just near the shed (but outside )

 

[tom2207]

sometimes it can be hard to see whats going on , especially on clean shiny metal ,,, I jus lay another bit of metal down and weld a lap joint instead of running beads , its more fun too as things stick together ,, if thats the case though an led torch placed in tight can help , I always have a rechargeable work light in close to the weld.
and take a twenty min hot works break at the end of a day ,, have a cup of tea and a sujestive biscuit ,,, wait twenty mins after your last weld / cut / grind operation so you know things have cooled and nothing will catch fire as you leave ,,, standard practice on site work.

 

[Screwdriver]

Thanks for the tips everyone, I appreciate it. Especially the the PPE stuff. I have a half decent mask from Screwfix if you can believe the positive reviews, and toe-protector heavy duty trainers too.

BTW I am not actually welding in my shed, just near the shed (but outside )
View attachment 415991

looks like a bench you’d use for sand casting, filling moulds etc.

i think ideally, you’d have a bench top you could happily tack down to.

 

[frank horton]

plus access to a hose and comfortable gloves n boots......
Most of my work is stick but I use the thinner tig welders gloves.....they last well and not so expensive......
nothing worse than thick gloves on delicate'ish work......even gates.....
Boots or heavy leather shoes not pumps.......ur on ur feet running about all the time....

all the other stuff will come along in it's own time.......dont rush into tools ......
get a small grinder until confidence grows to get the 9" type....
if money is tight a grinder from Lidils will do u well.....remember a 3year warranty.....
Happy welding....

 

[MikeBs]

Can you tell me , or show me the earth clamp set up please?

The words “set up” is a bit strong for it. It’s a bolt welded to the plate with some nuts and washers, so the clamp from the welder has a good grip on it. I got two of these plates from a scrap yard for a couple of quid.

I mounted the vice on a sleeper off cut with a metal band around it so I just need to put it on the plate and it has an earth connection.

 

[Che]

sometimes it can be hard to see whats going on , especially on clean shiny metal ,,, I jus lay another bit of metal down and weld a lap joint instead of running beads , its more fun too as things stick together ,, if thats the case though an led torch placed in tight can help , I always have a rechargeable work light in close to the weld.
and take a twenty min hot works break at the end of a day ,, have a cup of tea and a sujestive biscuit ,,, wait twenty mins after your last weld / cut / grind operation so you know things have cooled and nothing will catch fire as you leave ,,, standard practice on site work.

I like that Tom, sounds like a plan

 

[Che]

looks like a bench you’d use for sand casting, filling moulds etc.

i think ideally, you’d have a bench top you could happily tack down to.

Maybe I could construct a moveable or sliding top on this. I'm the kind of person (some might say tight ), that will wait and look for scrap bits left by the side of the road or when people tell me they are clearing their shed out -so it might be a while, but i'll get there

 

[Che]

The words “set up” is a bit strong for it. It’s a bolt welded to the plate with some nuts and washers, so the clamp from the welder has a good grip on it. I got two of these plates from a scrap yard for a couple of quid.
View attachment 416016
I mounted the vice on a sleeper off cut with a metal band around it so I just need to put it on the plate and it has an earth connection.

Many thanks - I think I could do something similar.