Basic Workshop Gotta-haves

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To date I have been playing around trying to put into practice the basic (repeat basic) skills that I learned in a 12 week welding course (one night a week).  Now I intend to set up for some basic fabrication projects.  The first is a welding table.  Next shall be a trailer.  I have the welder and, thanks to advice from you guys, bought a DeWalt "chop saw" last weekend.  The salesman tried to steer me towards some Chinese ones, but I told him that I couldn't possibly because DSW and crew would never talk to me again...I see the major problem being getting things to be true.  For example the first step in the table is to lay out the frame on the floor and weld it.  I just know that is not as simple as it sounds.  I have some magnetic squares, but they will only tell me how much I buggered it up after the event.What do I need as basic workshop inventory to keep things square? Anything else that you think that I should have at hand?  Apart from the basics - rods helmet, gloves etc. I have a grinder and a chipping hammer (which has had more use knocking oysters off rocks than chipping slag)[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Global warming = rising sea levels = more fishing spotsBring it on...
Reply:You can never have too many clamps. Clamps of every size and shape. Then ya need good sqaures. Big sqaures and little sqaures.
Reply:so...you true it up using the squares and then clamp the workpiece onto the squares?  I assume you would tack weld the four corners first and then weld one side of each corner at a timeI know this is basic stuff to you guys, but I really am trying to get a handle on this (and save money by ruining as little material as I possibly can).[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Global warming = rising sea levels = more fishing spotsBring it on...
Reply:Tape measure, framing square, "speed" square (those alum ones that have a lip on one side) in large and small. I have a small machinist's square for doing funky angles and layout also.As said clamps and more clamps. I have one true welders corner clamp. I use it when I just can't hold all the parts in place any other way to tack it up. I've also found ratchet straps to be useful to pull things back into square and hold them where I want. The only problem being nylon straps and weld spatter don't play well together, so you have to use common sense. A large bar clamp also works well to tweak things where you want them.One note on working on a floor. Frequently concrete floors are neither flat nor level. Guy where I used to work, fabed a table on the shop floor. Checked the square and all as he put it together, or so he thought. The table had a terrible twist to it when finished. The floor had a drain and pitched in all directions to it. Because he laid all the parts out on the floor, while the corners were square, he ended up with a twist to the top.
Reply:I seldom weld up compleatly with the welders clamp on. Usually I tack the outside edge, check and resquare and tack the inside edge and check and see if I need to break a weld loose and resquare.Small parts if I can square them up and clamp them to the table, I'll tack both sides at once and then check and see if I have to fix it.Weld the 2 sides 1st then outside and inside. again if it's important I keep checking as I go to see if I need to adjust or not.Some of this is just practice. As you weld the joint will pull that way. in time you can get a feel for how much you need to set it out of square at the start so it's square when you are done. I can't say any better than that.
Reply:You're not going to clamp to your sqaures. You use those for layout and verification. I do have or make jigs, angles, plates and so-on that you do use for clamping pieces together and still leave tacking spots open. Lots of small clean scraps come in real handy. Especially nice pieces of angle of various dimensions.
Reply:Some sort of saw, and/or grinder is a must in my opinion.  Ideally, you'd have a cutting torch and/or plasma cutter as well.
Reply:A roof!Nothing like starting a project and have it start raining on you and your work!#1. If you don't like what I wrote, or if it offends you, then don't read it!#2. I am living life the way I see fit, if you don't like the way I'M living, tough sh**!
Reply:So I'm not scrambling to find stuff when I need something welded, a separate batch of clamps and tools get stored behind my fold-up table.Ready to work:And hidden away:I keep larger squares over my other workbench, since I also use them for woodworking.Other basics worth mentioning:Mig PliersWelding HammerStainless Brushes in different sizesSandpaper in different gradesCut-off sawSawzallFiles and punchesSoapstone and Sharpie markersSafety glasses, ventilator, face shield, steel-toe boots, jacket, ear protection, exhaust fanLots of glovesspare tipsMetal thickness gaugePam Spray or other anti-spatter stuffThree or four angle grinders, grinding/cut-off/sanding-flap/steel-brushWelding blanketsStand-up welding curtainsBench GrinderA first-aid kitFire extinguishers and sand/water bucketsandMore clampsAnvilVise
Reply:many thanks, fellas...Jack, that is sooo tidy.  How do you convince the wife to keep her junk away?[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Global warming = rising sea levels = more fishing spotsBring it on...
Reply:Originally Posted by Jack Olsen
Reply:Same garage, this week:I'm making a fence for my front yard.It'll be neat and clean again, but not until the fence is done.Last edited by Jack Olsen; 07-29-2009 at 02:25 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWI seldom weld up compleatly with the welders clamp on. Usually I tack the outside edge, check and resquare,,,Weld the 2 sides 1st then outside and inside. again if it's important I keep checking as I go to see if I need to adjust or not.
Reply:Originally Posted by BoydieTo date I have been playing around trying to put into practice the basic (repeat basic) skills that I learned in a 12 week welding course (one night a week).  Now I intend to set up for some basic fabrication projects.  The first is a welding table.  Next shall be a trailer.  I have the welder and, thanks to advice from you guys, bought a DeWalt "chop saw" last weekend.  The salesman tried to steer me towards some Chinese ones, but I told him that I couldn't possibly because DSW and crew would never talk to me again...I see the major problem being getting things to be true.  For example the first step in the table is to lay out the frame on the floor and weld it.  I just know that is not as simple as it sounds.  I have some magnetic squares, but they will only tell me how much I buggered it up after the event.What do I need as basic workshop inventory to keep things square? Anything else that you think that I should have at hand?  Apart from the basics - rods helmet, gloves etc. I have a grinder and a chipping hammer (which has had more use knocking oysters off rocks than chipping slag)
Reply:what band of clamps are those?
Reply:In utter words, what everyone is trying to say is.Make the steel work for you and not the utter way around, even if you have to beat it into submission! #1. If you don't like what I wrote, or if it offends you, then don't read it!#2. I am living life the way I see fit, if you don't like the way I'M living, tough sh**!
Reply:Originally Posted by gofasterwhat band of clamps are those?
Reply:thanks
Reply:http://www.lincolnelectric.com/knowl...ldingtable.aspdemonstrates how to use Clamps and some angle iron to keep things together/sqaure for weldin'http://www.millerwelds.com/interests...welding-table/Good table with plans.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Originally Posted by gofasterthanks
Reply:Northern Tool caries the Strong Hand brandhttp://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...2944_200342944Bessy makes one also but are quite a bit more $$Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1Northern Tool caries the Strong Hand brandhttp://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...2944_200342944Bessy makes one also but are quite a bit more $$
Reply:Originally Posted by piniongearAfter the discussion on the corner clamps I decided I would get another pair to finish out a set of 4.The clamps are Wilton AC-325 Welders Angle Clamps.I cannot find them anywhere. Apparently Jet has bought out Wilton in the clamp department anyway. I found one place that had the Jets listed but when I called they had none in stock. So I guess the Wiltons are no longer available......... pg
Reply:Originally Posted by paweldorHere's a link to the Wilton web site.  You can locate a dealer near you, or an online dealerhttp://www.wiltontool.com/
Reply:Man I need a real GARAGE(as I don't have one but a dirt basement lol)