(very) First project: miter jig

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Very first time joining 2 pieces of steel.The first go I botched it good enough that I decided to cut / grind it back apart and try again.So, I know it's ugly. The thing is, I been laying down beads on coupons(?) and was feeling pretty good. Joining 2 pieces of steel together proved to be different. I learned a ton just melting wire on pieces of metal, but I learned 2 tons trying to make one piece out of 2.I Am So Stoked!Never give up!The idea came from here https://weldingweb.com/vbb/threads/706897-DIY-miter-jig

Obviously I'm not done yet.

Other side.

So, just today, I picked up this table. It used to be a radial arm saw except the saw part quit working and no parts.I got it for free and it will eventually be a small welding table / cart(?) on casters.

Just for completeness, This is the rest of my side of the garage.

p.s. I know my bench is a mess, get over it!Titanium MIG 170
Reply:I've seen worse.The one thing you have to ask yourself..............why didn't you make it better?  Keep at it till it was perfect.  Do that, and you have the fire in ya.This isn't a rebuke, it's just a nudge to do better.
Reply:There is nobody that's so unskilled that they can't do a serviceable weld.  They teach this stuff to kids in the Service.  I think you have it in you, just take the time to bring it out.
Reply:You have the interest, so take it one step further.  Practice a lot until you're happy with what you see.Meanwhile............I gott go roll out a bale of WEEDS to the gurls............Gawd help me.........they will turn back to you, standing around the bale, and moo like a foghorn if it's not to their liking.
Reply:They're eating it, so let's talk welding.You're on your way, keep at it, and you'll eventually love it.
Reply:Good job!I'm not a big fan of "padding beads" for the general hobbyist weldor after the very beginning learn to press the trigger and move your arm phase.  If you're a pro, you already found what most are looking for and know what you're after when padding beads (most pros I know don't really practice save for a pre run to dial in your settings, this includes new procedures or ones that you haven't done in a long time.  I know what the you-tube videos claim)There are so many factors that go into making and repairing things, and learning to work with real world variable conditions (weird angles approaches, weird material combinations, welds moving!,  corners moving!, etc etc etc) is where the ART of welding/fabricating lies IMO.  Even learning to take welded/solid pieces apart without destroying them is a big learning curve. Just about anyone could learn to lay a near perfect bead on two coupons on a bench.  I love welding because of the things it allows me to make and repair - I don't think I would just sit and lay beads on a coupon for fun for more than 2 minutes a month.Once you get a chance to make something a little more complex you'll be at first frustrated by what you don't know, but amazed by what you learn.Good job, and good luck!  How's that titanium welder?  People seem to be very happy with theirs, but I've never tried one.
Reply:Is there a reason the inside corners (top of the triangle) aren't welded together?  It would be sturdier and I doubt you need that little sliver of space that's there now.  If you're going to clamp tubing to it to weld a miter...Will this thin metal hold up well?  It looks like 16 gauge?  Trash day bed frames are a little thicker.
Reply:The reason it's open is for welding the outside corner.
Reply:

Originally Posted by M J D

The reason it's open is for welding the outside corner.
Reply:Here's what I mean.  Weld in the solid red triangle.  And cut on the red line to get rid of the excess on that leg.  Next version: make from thicker bedframe angle if this one is too flimsy.