Stick Welding Steel to Cast Iron + Clamp Mini-Project

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Goodmorning everyone!!So, this is my latest mini-project:Recently, I wished I had a way to tack things to the "inside" of my table... Too far from the edges to conventionally clamp them... And this is what I came up with...I bought a BESSEY 8" C clamp from the local lowes, spark tested it to determine it was malleable iron, and then cut if off and simply 7018'd it to a couple scraps of mild steel plate, which I can tack anywhere I need to...Anyway, the clamp welded very well... It was my first time welding malleable cast iron, and first time welding dissimilar metals...And I got another tool for the shop... I'm pretty happy with how it came out Just thought I'd share... I'm probably not the first one to come up with this idea... Hope you guys enjoy the video, and have an awesome weekend everyone  [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUcCb9H9Ff0[/ame][Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:Cool tool, Lanse Curious....did you heavily peen the top weld due to dissimilar metals and for extra strength?
Reply:Good idea.I'm going to make a couple myself except I think I'll make the bottom piece longer 10" or 12" so that I'll be able to clamp it to my table instead of welding it.
Reply:Some people call them "screw Dogs", "half clamps", bunch of different names. Use them all the time.
Reply:I have a bunch of screw dogs that are plate with nuts welded to them.  You can then run a bolt through the nut.    I also have a bunch of dogs that uses wedges.
Reply:Originally Posted by shortfuseCool tool, Lanse Curious....did you heavily peen the top weld due to dissimilar metals and for extra strength?
Reply:I'd slot the table..
Reply:Lanse, Nice job! Consider that idea stolen!  . . That's what someone told me the other day when I cut the table off of a burned up Harbor Freight chop-saw, and made a drill press vise out of it.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=254931The member "MinnesotaDave" said he was going to use it for a welding table clamp! . . I hadn't thought about using it on a welding table. . So he gave me an idea. . Now I can use it for two different things! I like your clamp too and plan to make one! Thanks for posting the YouTube video too!Hobart Handler 190Hobart Spool-Gun 100Lincoln 225 ACMiller & Pipeliner HoodDewalt 14" Chopsaw, GrindersHarris O/AVictor TorchCustom Built O/A CartCustom Welding CartHeavy Duty 16 Speed Floor Drill PressPipe-BenderDrill Doctor
Reply:Originally Posted by jamesyarbroughI'd slot the table..
Reply:I decided to give Lanse's table clamp idea a try.  I couldn't get a clamp from Lowe's (nearest store is 30 miles away), so I got one of the "Husky" 6" clamps from Home Depot instead.Got it home and did a spark test on it and it barely sparked moderately and they were small. The spark test was somewhere between what you would see with mild steel and cast iron.  Not sure what rod to use on welding the clamp to steel plate base.Anyone know for sure what kind of steel or iron the "Husky" brand of clamps from HD are?  I guess for light clamping, just use 7018 (or 6011 for penetration).  The nickel rods are just too expensive for a simple job like this.Last edited by shortfuse; 03-26-2013 at 10:08 PM.
Reply:Sounds like actual gray or white cast, unlike the malleable cast I had to work with...I'd recommend nickel rods for this job, second choice would be stainless filler.... 309, 312, 316 or so... And if all else falls through, 7018 with a pre and post heat.[Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:You can also make these type clamps from scrap and a coupling nut and some threaded rod. Just an FYI.  Great idea though for busted clamps.200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:Originally Posted by LanseSounds like actual gray or white cast, unlike the malleable cast I had to work with...I'd recommend nickel rods for this job, second choice would be stainless filler.... 309, 312, 316 or so... And if all else falls through, 7018 with a pre and post heat.