My Very 1st Project And 1st Go At Welding (Ever)

[Smashy]

Happy new year everyone

I've been wanting a custom fit tailgate guard for my 07 Freelander for the last year or so, I already had one made by a company called Barjo but that one only had a single door and no divider to seperate my two dogs. The Barjo one was ok, but rattled like mad and drove me up the wall on long journeys.

My dogs do agility and although very well behaved, when opening the single door tailgate guard at agility shows they both tended to dart out through pure excitement which again drove me mad. This was the main reason why I wanted twin doors and the divider.

We got a third dog in November, although not a proper dog (Chihuahua ) that really gave me the push to make something myself as to get something custom made was going to be in excess of £600

Just before Christmas I spent a shedload of money with Weldequip, then went to my local Steel merchants and got everything in place to start my project over Christmas.

Now, I have never ever welded before, so I practised for a few hours with some off cuts of the 20mm box that I planned to use, everything seemed to go well so I thought I would jump in and start, what was the worst that could happen?

I had to cut everything by hand with a decent quality hacksaw as I had blew my budget on the welder

This is what I have got done upto now, sorry about the poor quality photo, I will update with some better ones at the weekend...

What do you think? I know its hard to tell but please be honest The doors where horrible to make as I have no type of jig and keeping everything square was the pits, but I think they turned out ok for a 1st timer.

I still have the divider and top section to make which I'm hoping to get done at the weekend, then I plan on taking it to my local powdercoaters who are great.

I will update with more photos as I get more done.

TIA for your time and comments

 

[pauld]

looks good from here!! even better when painted.

I use these little clamps sometimes. Pretty cheap, but ok for holding small lengths together where there isn't any tension!

 

[Smashy]

Thanks pauld. I wish I had seen those clamps before I started lol

 

[jimturn]

Hi Smashy, although I'm just learning mig-welding at a local college and therefore not really qualified to make an informed judgement, your project looks pretty good to me. I would certainly be happy producing something like that.

I too have recently taken delivery of some kit from weldequip just before Christmas. Did you by any chance buy a portamig?

With your permission, I'd like to pick your brains re details of the powdercoaters you mentioned. I live on the outskirts of Sunderland (near Houghton le Spring) and only ten minutes from Birtley and at least one of the projects I have in mind would benefit from powder coating. Other than looking in yellow pages, I wouldn't have a clue who to go to and as the saying goes, word of mouth is the best recommendation.

Kind regards and more power to your elbow.

Jim.

 

[Smashy]

Hi jim

I bought a Clarke 160 TM Mig welder, fantastic piece of kit.

North Eastern Powdercoaters in Crowther Industrial Estate is not too far from you, although I have never used them.

I have used one in North Shields bettablast who are fantastic! I took my motorbike wheels to them and they did a cracking job, if I was you I would make the 20 minute journey through the tunnel. That is where I'm going to take my cage when they are done, even though North Eastern is only 2 mins away. I know bettablast will do a good job at a decent price and thats all that matters to me.

Let me know if you need any more info

 

[Wedg1e]

I've used NE Powdercoaters foir a few jobs at work, quality and price OK for what we needed.
In theory they should all be as good as each other, it's not a difficult process...

 

[Smashy]

In theory they should all be as good as each other, it's not a difficult process...

Very true.

Here is a better picture of the door hinges that I made up, any opinions on the weld? I didnt have the confidence to go all the way to the edges...

Made from 10mm tube with a 1mm wall and 8mm rod.

 

[TheJoker]

That's quite impressive, especially for a first project. And you built the hinges yourself too. Cool!

 

[Marty2005]

I just replied to your post in your other thread under Learning Mig Welding. Now I can see the context of the welds on the hinge I would've thought it was more than adequate for the weight. As for the fact it's your very first project it's very impressive indeed.

Far more than I would've been able to do at my first attempts.

 

[Smashy]

Thanks guys. I know I have missed the top on the lower one and I know exactly why it happened, I basically tried to weld it with my left hand instead of trying to turn the work around so I could weld it with my right, silly mistake but that's all part of learning I guess

 

[jimturn]

Hello again smashy, we'll have to stop meeting like this or the neighbours will talk!

Hey I've got to say I'm impressed that you made the hinges as well and that you welded left handed. I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous!!!
I think you must have been a welder in a previous life. A natural eh!

Thanks for replying re bettablast, whereabouts in North Shields are they? I was born and raised in Wallsend and worked for a time in Shields and so I know the area pretty well. It's only about 15-20 minutes through the tunnel for me so that's not a problem.

Keep up the good work. Regards, Jim.

 

[Smashy]

Hello again smashy, we'll have to stop meeting like this or the neighbours will talk!

Mine already call me nasty names

Hey I've got to say I'm impressed that you made the hinges as well and that you welded left handed. I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous!!!

I stole the idea as they are nice and tidy and I love the way they look

I think you must have been a welder in a previous life. A natural eh!

I dont think so but thanks anyway, saying that I have not had a single blow through and I'm still using my 1st tip (even though weldequip gave me some spare ones as he thought I may need them being a newbie )

Thanks for replying re bettablast, whereabouts in North Shields are they?

Algernon Industrial Estate in Shiremoor, just behing the big Ford garage, dead easy to find.

Keep up the good work. Regards, Jim.

Cheers, what kit did you get and how are you finding it?

 

[jimturn]

Hi Smashy,
thanks for the info, I know exactly where Algernon Ind Est is, in fact when I was very young - 5 or 6 years ago when I was still at school (sorry, it's sunday and I can't tell fibs) - about 50 years ago, the estate used to be the Algernon pit and my old man worked there for a while.

I bought a portamig 185 and it's a cracking bit of kit. Just wish the college I'm attending used them as they are much easier to use than the big machines and produce better results. I'd already bought an auto darkening mask a couple of weeks after starting the course and it made such a difference being able to see where I was starting a run.

So far I've only welded about 20 brackets for my brothers business and they look the dogs, if I say so myself. Our kid's really pleased with the job too. I can't wait for this damned snow to go then I can get out into the garage and fire it up again.

I also set up an account with BOC - just up the road from you - as a result of information on this forum. Consequently a Y sized bottle of Argoshield light costs about half of of the recommended price. Did you pick up on this deal?

I have to say this forum is great for picking up ideas and the craick is great too, I've sat and chuckled to myself loads of times.

Regards, Jim

 

[Smashy]

I also set up an account with BOC - just up the road from you - as a result of information on this forum. Consequently a Y sized bottle of Argoshield light costs about half of of the recommended price. Did you pick up on this deal?

Yeah I picked that deal up just before it finished, seemed stupid not too

 

[Jake]

wow they look fab. well done for your first try. now at all the dog comps ppl will ask where did you get them from... and o can you make me some. i like the look of the locks you have use ive seen them befor on a dog cage made on this site

 

[Smashy]

Yup thanks for pointing me in the right direction Jake, the locks look ace and I'm really glad I went for them.

Now I know why they cost soooo much, I have lost count of the amount of time I have put into them, it's been a huge learning curve too