Built a cube for practice

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First attempt:3/16" mild steel0.030 ER70S-6mig weldedpieces cut with abrasive sawThe sides are square one to the next but the top and bottom are each off by about an 1/8th. I really wasn't sure how to fit this up but did my best with the limited tools I have.How is something like this usually clamped into position for fitting & tacking? Especially the top and bottom.Should I wrap around the corners more? I was worried about excessive buildup there.Any input, criticism, advice, recommendation is appreciated - I'm doing this to learn.ThanksLast edited by hypothecary; 11-03-2012 at 06:17 PM.Miller Syncrowave 250 w/ PC-300 pulserLincoln AC/DC 225/125Clarke TurboWeld 150ENJackson Halo w/ gold lensHuntsman w/ blue lensDoing sanitary stainless tig
Reply:Those are some very nice outside corners with mig. The last one especially. The one to the right in pict 3 and the one on the right in the last pict are a bit fast. I see a few small irregularities in the other ones, but nothing to really worry about.You could have gone just slightly farther on the corners, but not much. Maybe another 1//8", possibly a bit less. The 3/16" helps you here. Try to do the same thing with 1/8" or 3/32" material..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWThose are some very nice outside corners with mig. The last one especially. The one to the right in pict 3 and the one on the right in the last pict are a bit fast. I see a few small irregularities in the other ones, but nothing to really worry about.You could have gone just slightly farther on the corners, but not much. Maybe another 1//8", possibly a bit less. The 3/16" helps you here. Try to do the same thing with 1/8" or 3/32" material.
Reply:Nice welds man, your a good mig welder Keep up the practice.Frank
Reply:Except for the fast ones like DSW said, those look really nice......Good work!!!!Precision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:Nice man, they look great.Its funny, I made one Friday while slow at work. Its made os SS and is tig welded. I'll have to snap some pics of it.
Reply:Building a water tight "cube" is actually a very old US Coast Guard test given along the Mississippi river.Lincoln SA200's... at least 15 - 20. They come and go. Growing partial to the "Short Hoods" in my old age. Last count on Short Hoods was 13 in possession.
Reply:Thanks for the compliments guys. Good to know I'm on the right track and good to know what I need to work on, too.Does anyone have a prefered technique they'd like to share for fitup? The 4 sides are easy enough with some angle stock and clamps, the 5th peice is only kinda tricky but I struggled with the last piece.I ended up laying the cube on my table so the open end was on a side, then used a bit of 3/16" scrap to set the 6th piece on for vertical alignment and held it best I could with a magnetic base in one hand while tacking with the other.There's got to be a better way....Miller Syncrowave 250 w/ PC-300 pulserLincoln AC/DC 225/125Clarke TurboWeld 150ENJackson Halo w/ gold lensHuntsman w/ blue lensDoing sanitary stainless tig
Reply:Tack four tabs on the inside then just set it down on the tabs when the open side is up?  Once the thing is welded it up who is to tell?
Reply:Originally Posted by lotechmanTack four tabs on the inside then just set it down on the tabs when the open side is up?  Once the thing is welded it up who is to tell?
Reply:Tack up the 4 sides to form a square "tube" 1st. Then you can use a piece the same height set on a diagonal or a similar height "post" inside temporarily to help support the "top". The last piece can be the hardest. One trick I've used in the past is to use a couple of "shims" the same thickness as the "base". Set the base on the table next to an edge and then push the shims up against the base. The "sides" now will set on the shims and you can tack the base to the sides at the edge of the table. Rotate, and tack again after adjustment. I've also very carefully tacked the last piece on partially open. Use a few thin strips of sheet metal or some thin tig or mig wire for support and tack one side with small tacks. Then pull out the supports, bend the "lid" down on the tacks with a hammer, and tack the opposite side.With what I see, I can't see you having too many issues with your up coming "test".Last edited by DSW; 11-04-2012 at 04:44 AM..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:I built a 4x4 box and welded it up with axy/ace and had it tested for my welding class. That was fun.For the one I made the other day, I used an Oak 4x4 to tack two together then used those two peices and made the four sides. Put the fifth peice on top of the four sides and tacked it down, flipped it over and dropped the sixth peice on top of that, it drew out a little so I used a flathead screwdriver to pull it back then dropped the sixth peice on and tacked it. I fit it so it was all corner to corner and tacked them in corners, then weld away.
Reply:Just curious, nobody mentioned a vent hole and I don't see that annoying little blister you get at the last bead. Wasn't that a problem?
Reply:how did you cut the pieces, and from what type of stock?What is the fit up at the joints?I'd like to try this....Lincoln AC/DC 225/125 and WP17. 75A AC is for pipe thawing!HH 140 - new addtion 9/2012.I didn't agree, but hoped for Hope and Change.I got change for myself and my family: for the worse.This is the reality of: Barackalypse Now. Again.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWTack up the 4 sides to form a square "tube" 1st. Then you can use a piece the same height set on a diagonal or a similar height "post" inside temporarily to help support the "top". The last piece can be the hardest. One trick I've used in the past is to use a couple of "shims" the same thickness as the "base". Set the base on the table next to an edge and then push the shims up against the base. The "sides" now will set on the shims and you can tack the base to the sides at the edge of the table. Rotate, and tack again after adjustment. I've also very carefully tacked the last piece on partially open. Use a few thin strips of sheet metal or some thin tig or mig wire for support and tack one side with small tacks. Then pull out the supports, bend the "lid" down on the tacks with a hammer, and tack the opposite side.With what I see, I can't see you having too many issues with your up coming "test".
Reply:Originally Posted by trapperjohnJust curious, nobody mentioned a vent hole and I don't see that annoying little blister you get at the last bead. Wasn't that a problem?
Reply:Originally Posted by jtcnjhow did you cut the pieces, and from what type of stock?What is the fit up at the joints?I'd like to try this....
Reply:Originally Posted by jtcnjhow did you cut the pieces, and from what type of stock?What is the fit up at the joints?I'd like to try this....
Reply:Reminds of a great story from years ago.A friend of mines father was a practical joker ... and a good one ... he liked to put a lot of thought into his pranks.One year he welded up a number of cubes like this one but they had a few additions.  They had a few small holes drilled on top and a big red button with a label that said "press me".when someone pressed the big red button it would start emitting a VERY loud screech that was torture to hear.  There was also no way to turn it off or to open the cube ... just had to wait for all the battery life to die. Your could beat it with a hammer and it wouldnt stop.He gave them out to all his buddies for christmas with strict instructions to only open them on christmas morning.  payback was a bitch I'm told ...MillerMatic180Miller 375 Extreme PlasmaOld but reliable O/A setupI'm a simple man. All I want is enough sleep for two normal men, enough whiskey for three, and enough women for four. - Joel Rosenberg
Reply:Looks nice!
Reply:I need to try one of those.........amazing looking practice!
Reply:For a first try,  I say thumbs up!