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I'm new to this forum, this is my first post....I found this forum a couple of weeks ago, and have been reading it continuously. There are some really talented people on here.I have an mechanical engineering degree, but I don't work in the field. I know a lot of the terms I read on here (regarding various processes, techniques, etc.), but I don't have a lot of experience with them.I've been welding for several years, just fixing things around the house, nothing major. I started with my Dad's old Sears stick welder and when I got tired of fixing it every time I used it, I bought a new Lincoln stick (I think it's an AC-225).I did a few projects with the Lincoln, built a couple of utility trailers, a grill, stuff like that. I really wasn't concerned with the appearance of my work, just that it was structurally sound.I've worked on a few projects recently, I'd like some opinions on them. I'd like to have some honest opinions on how it looks for folks that know about metal working. Also, what's the feasibility of selling stuff like this? Could it be a side job? What can I do to improve the designs?A few months ago I decided I was going to build some gates for the fence around my pool. I had some wooden gates I built with I built the fence, but I didn't like them. So...I decided to go to the metal shop and buy some tubing and flat stock. I drew up the plans in CAD, figured my materials, and got to work. The gates are made with 1" & 1 1/2' 16G square tubing. The scrolls are 3/4" x 1/8" flat stock. On the double gate (the one that is installed), I made the arch on the top by bending it around a wooden template. That did not work very well, the radius is not constant, and it had some kinks. I beat out the kinks with my BFH and used the best looking part of the tube.On the solid gate, I used a tube roller from Harbor Freight. It did the job nicely. I bend the scrolls by hand, bending them around various sizes of pipe I had.For the double gate, I made my own hinges out of pipe and bolts. They swing either direction like saloon doors. I didn't "engineer" them enough, and they don't open all the way, but it works for me.For the sold gate, I used some hinges I had laying around.So then I decided I wanted a fire pit. I got the idea from a picture I saw on the Miller site.The actual fire pit itself was fairly straight forward. The Auto-Arc doesn't have enough duty cycle to finish the long welds inside the pan in one pass, so I used the Lincoln for that. I did use the Auto-Arc for the perimeter of the pan where it is attached at the top, it just took a while. I could weld about 6" before the weld started looking funky. I'm thinking it was getting hot, so I would stop and wait 15 min or so before continuing.The top, or screen, over the pit was the hardest part to make. You need about six hands to hold it together. I only had four hands (mine and my brothers) so I welded some temporary supports to my table to hold it while I tacked it up.I've attached as many pictures as I could. Please note that these weren't taken with the intention of posting on here, so they don't show my welds very well (or maybe not at all).I've noticed folks want to know the welder settings so:The MIG was set on full blast, power on 4. Wire speed was slooowww, right between 10 and 20. I don't know if that is in "/min or what. I don't know how many amps, volts, or anything. I do know that the shop is several hundred feet away from the transformer, and we're probably not running on a full 120V. I don't really know why I have to have the wires speed so slow, but that's the only way I could make a nice looking weld.The stick welder was set on 60 using a 3/32" 6011 rod. I intended on using a 7018 rod. I knew I bought a brand new box of 7018's, but they disappeared. I found them when I was cleaning up.Thanks for looking! Attached ImagesThermal Arc 211i FabricatorAutoArc 130Lincoln AC 225O/A setAssorted hand tools and implements of destruction
Reply:Your designs are clean and nicely done. Put pictures of your work on Craigslist or ebay and test the market. While you're waiting for business to come knocking on your door, take a welding class at the local community college to sharpen your skills. You've got talent, and a few pointers in a class will make you better. Thanks for joining us on the site!
Reply:Welcome and nice works PaulAnother day in paradise You only have to be smarter than the metal". WeldiniMaking an honest living is nothing more than stealing from someone who can afford it and everyone feels good when it's over . Weldini
Reply:Use heavier material for scrolls on gates and areas that people will congregate. Kids and even some adults will bend them either by accident or out of meanness. Nice work.Two turn tables and a microphone.
Reply:Thanks for the replies.What would you reccommend I use for scrolls? How do you guys bend them?Thermal Arc 211i FabricatorAutoArc 130Lincoln AC 225O/A setAssorted hand tools and implements of destruction |
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