My 1st project - New grill stand for bbq

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First time poster here Got a HF 90 amp fluxcore mig for Christmas. Other than a quick metal welding table i slapped together, this was my first real project. I'm completelynew to welding and still have ALOT to learn.I'm mostly a fiberglass person when it comes to any previous fab work. I've been lurking here for a few weeks and have learned alot from you guys so far. So thanks for that!I had a pretty decent propane grill but the stand it came with rusted out after just a year. I'm in south FL and between the humidity and salty air, stuff likes to rust out quickly. A shot of the old rusted baseStarting the new base on my "flat welding table" Didn't think to take any pics of the welds till after I put the first coat of paint on. Most of them are pretty terrible anyway so that worked out well.Back in business!I'm already kicking myself for not priming with some zinc chromate primer first.I sanded down the mill scale with 80 grit, wiped with acetone, and then did 3-4 coats with Rustoleum high temp grill paint, and some rust is already coming thru within the first week. I guess I'llstrip it back down and primer and then paint. This time around I'll be using marine grade primer and paint.Unless someone has a better idea to combat the rust?Last edited by thebuck; 01-07-2013 at 11:08 AM.
Reply:Looks good, ready for some steaks.Will   Supports Autism Awareness                            My ToysBobCat 225 PLusMillermatic 130Miller Spectrum 300 CutmateEverlast Power Tig 185 Micro April is Autism Month .
Reply:How much do I need to sand down the steel before primer/painting to prevent rust from coming thru? Just knock the rust and most of the scale off? Or all the way down to shiny metal?
Reply:Neat, simple effective job.I would recommend some sort of tie-down or securing brace for your propane tank, though.
Reply:Originally Posted by shortfuseNeat, simple effective job.I would recommend some sort of tie-down or securing brace for your propane tank, though.
Reply:Originally Posted by thebuckHow much do I need to sand down the steel before primer/painting to prevent rust from coming thru? Just knock the rust and most of the scale off? Or all the way down to shiny metal?
Reply:Originally Posted by shortfuseNeat, simple effective job.I would recommend some sort of tie-down or securing brace for your propane tank, though.
Reply:Originally Posted by IronHide2x that.  Maybe you could even weld up a small square out of that angle iron, just big enough for the tank's round foot to fit in, then weld that to your expanded metal grate. Just a thought.
Reply:I think I'll show your projects with my friend. That's totally a very neat work! Great job. Bart www.bandsawblog.com
Reply:Another option if the steel is rusty, you could coat it in POR15 the stuff is brushed on, and needs rust to stick to. It holds up well. I coated the tube steps on my truck with it. (after letting the steel rust for a while) and it's held up well after about a year. They get abused and the paint has come off in one spot. But I'm surprised it's not worse. Since there was no prep, and brushed on. (it is self leveling and looks great when done) you can then paint over it after it's dry,Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.
Reply:Great work!What'd you use to cut out the circle?
Reply:Originally Posted by reallifedogGreat work!What'd you use to cut out the circle?
Reply:Probably rusted cause the finish wasn't sealed. I guess grill paint won't burn off though. LolJust a thought....Good luckSlowhand
Reply:After looking at the expanded metal grill on the bottom shelf again, some strengthing of the hole might be suggested.  Don't know if IronHide's idea of the square frame is along the same thought, but I believe that after you change out the tank a time or two, you'll find the expanded metal will bend and flex the hole out of shape.  Maybe you could find or fabricate a metal ring, say 1/8" thick and about 1" wide to rim the hole.  No need to weld it, just use a few machine screws, nuts and washers to keep it in place.  It would add support to the mesh as well.
Reply:Nice!! Looks good, my first welding project was a sled with skis lol. the welds looked like bird poop dripping down a brick wall... lol. So id say you're off to a pretty good start, how is the frame for squareness?? Google BBQ grills you'll probly see a couple good ideas for securing the propane tank.... once you start metal working, a whole new world opens up to u, one where you can make almost anything you can dream up... do keep the projects comin!! http://www.philswelding.com
Reply:Originally Posted by slowhandProbably rusted cause the finish wasn't sealed. I guess grill paint won't burn off though. Lol
Reply:I'd say you got it now. Nice fit-up by the way.Good luckSlowhand
Reply:Thanks, we'll see how she holds up!
Reply:Scrape the spatter off before you paint. Makes everything look alot cleaner.
Reply:I was able to get some of the spatter off some of the welds but the others wouldnt scrape off. I figured i'd make more of a mess trying to grind em off. I've recently read about using Pam for anti spatter spray, so I'll try that in the future.
Reply:Originally Posted by thebuckI was able to get some of the spatter off some of the welds but the others wouldnt scrape off. I figured i'd make more of a mess trying to grind em off. I've recently read about using Pam for anti spatter spray, so I'll try that in the future.
Reply:Yeah, you can get some anti-spatter spray too.  I find it's best to scrape the spatter right after the weld cools down a bit.  I like to use a putty knife. But a long file works great too.  At a previous job, they had 2 full time guys who just scrape spatter, 40 hours a week. Damn, I don't know how those guys could do that every day, day in day out. I did it for an afternoon and I was literally falling asleep while standing up, lol.