Tattoo bench

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Didnt finish it up because the ol lady and I skype'd it up tonight, but heres the start of something pretty sweet. Was at the tattoo shop getting my latest ink done up, and the girlfriends first tattoo, when I struck up a deal with the artist Ive had for a while. Told the guy that I have been getting into welding and he offered to do my back cover up if I welded up a couple benches for him. One for doing arm stuff (just a little arm rest), and the other is sort of a horseshoe bench for girls getting their tramp stamp. Here's what I got done so far for the arm bench, still thinking up ideas for the other one.The base is 12"x12" 1/4 plate. Its heavy/wide enough for a good base. Atleast moreso than the one he currently uses.The piping was grinded down so I can weld a nut on that little flat spot, and there will be a bolt screwing through the nut and a hole into the smaller tubing to hold it still. On the bolt Im throwing one of my old extral allen keys to make it easier to turn (The artists name is hex, he got it from riding bmx freestyle as a kid, and carrying around hex keys with him everywhere). More pics to be posted tomorrow! Attached Images"The credit goes to the man who's actually in the arena..."
Reply:Got a litte more work done on it. I punched a hole in the tubing, and tacked a longer nut to it. I also tacked the hex key to the threaded rod I cut, and now it has its little bolt vice holder upper dohicky. I welded the pipe to the baseplate, but the welds suck. Definately a rookie here. I cannot weld tubing for nothing! lol. Thinking of grinding away and starting over, but it would only be to make it look pretty, because it is holding. I dunno, Im open to criticism, although you wont be able to see the welds going from the tubing to the plate because I sort of took a flap disk to it, rather than a wire brush to remove all the slag. Be gentle... Attached Images"The credit goes to the man who's actually in the arena..."
Reply:If you aren't happy with the welds, then grind them out and redo them.If the welds are not of a good enough visual quality that you really don't want people to look closely at them, then grind them out and redo them.Although you said that you just "tacked" the coupling nut to the tube, those 'welds' look like they are just piled on TOP of the parent material (coupling nut and the tube) and not really fused INTO the steel itself.And you should smooth any and all sharp edges before delivering the project to the customer.  It's still early in that project's build cycle, but I would have deburred or smoothed the tube/pipe pieces -before- they were all welded together.  Usually a little easier to do the pieces by themselves instead of a larger and heavier and more awkward to hold and move assembly.  IMHO.You used a hex key and welded that to the threaded rod to act as the handle?  Hex keys are hardened and tempered alloy or high carbon steel.  (well, except for some Chinese import hex keys which seem to be made of something in between peanut butter and a zinc bar in terms of hardness.    )  Welding to that kind of steel usually results in things cracking because of the high carbon in the steel and the high heat from the welding (you are melting steel, after all!) resulting in a hard and very brittle weld and/or HAZ around the weld.  Granted, this project is not along the lines of an over-the-road cargo trailer or an aircraft, but still welding to 'tool' steel is usually NOT a good idea.If your workmanship is not to the level where you are PROUD of the workmanship, practice more and/or redo things until it all looks good enough to be proud of.  IMNSHO.  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:Thx for the guidance. I think this made my rookie status pretty obviouse, but live and learn right?So how would I solve the problem with welding the bolt to the steel. Im using a Harbor Freight Mig and thats about as high as I can set the Amps. Should I slow the wire speed to allow heat to build up?"The credit goes to the man who's actually in the arena..."
Reply:you could preheat the hardened material before welding, although with that machine it may not have enough power to get good penetration on that thick of an allen. As an alternative, you could go buy some octagonal stock and use that instead. It would look the same and would work fine for a handle. I would suggest trying to grind a bevel and preheat the end of the nut you welded on though and try welding it solid instead of tacking it. When the tattoo artist gets to using the clamp it will get a surprising amount of force on it when screwing it in, people tend to over-tighten things and this will likely be no exception. Also, I would grind off any plating on the section of bolt you plan on welding, you will get a better result. Good luck.
Reply:I have had fair to decent luck welding cut off hex keys to sockets to make extra long hex sockets. I anneal both pieces. when fully cooled do the weld (I like to use TIG) then immediately heat to dull red with oxy/acte torch and quench in ATF fluid.A tattooist that needs welding is a good contact to have. I got this done for doing a couple small repairs on a motorcycle subframe.
Reply:Thanks guys, appreciate the guidance. Ill give it another go and post new pics"The credit goes to the man who's actually in the arena..."
Reply:that be the day ill let someone stick me with a needleunless my life ws on the line
Reply:lol I have several. This ones to cover up my exwifes name"The credit goes to the man who's actually in the arena..."
Reply:Originally Posted by a.james.smith1lol I have several. This ones to cover up my exwifes name
Reply:Post up some pics of your bench in the tattoo studio when its finished. Best welding related tattoo ive ever seen.