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I want to get a few squares. I'm not sure what to get. I make gym equipment and steel furniture. Cast Iron or Aluminum? Size?
Reply:I use combination squares mostly but only if they are high quality. They do it all but the speed squares that are magnetic are pretty nice when the project is mostly normal stuff.
Reply:
Originally Posted by Reebz
I want to get a few squares. I'm not sure what to get. I make gym equipment and steel furniture. Cast Iron or Aluminum? Size?
Reply:I have a bunch of them. For my needs, aluminum is best, but there's nothing wrong with the cast iron ones. I wouldn't bother with the smaller ones. I find they are limited for the tables and such that I build. I like the mega square and the monster square...you can do different things with both. If starting over, I would go with a 12 inch mega and a 12 inch monster. If you can only afford one, I would probably make it the monster square.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:
Originally Posted by Bob
I use combination squares mostly but only if they are high quality. They do it all but the speed squares that are magnetic are pretty nice when the project is mostly normal stuff.
Reply:Reebz, watch this before you decide.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Yeah, mine are all 12" the little tabs also really come in handy when lining stuff up. I just recently bought the magnetic shim kit he sells as well which saves a ton of time when squaring things with offsets.Lincoln 350MPMillermatic 350PSyncrowave 2501969 SA200HTP Invertig 221
Reply:I have the small alloy two piece magic square. I find it doesn't resist weld shrinkage so the frame goes out of square. Never use it anymore and I regret buying it. Stay with the one piece squares you can't go wrong.
Reply:Glad you said that because I have been considering getting one of those.Lincoln 350MPMillermatic 350PSyncrowave 2501969 SA200HTP Invertig 221
Reply:Not nearly as nice as the Fireballs but I made my own from a couple of FREE cast iron table-saw extensions.
I mentioned FREE didnt I ?
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Reply:I have a few. They are pretty good and handy for large projects for fixturing before tackingI use a speed more. Only issue I have is clamping through the holes. I typically use vice clamps without swivel pads. There is no way to angle the clamps, thus potential interference in tight spaces. Not aways convenient to clamp on the open side.Mine are cast iron. I thought that was the most durable choice. Less chance for marring when used as a hammerBonzoo and other members posted some alternative squares that seemed nice.
Reply:I have the 8 inch cast iron versions of all of the squares, Mega, Monster, Magic, and then Minion. I am not doing really large projects so did not need the 12 inch versions. I was able to buy mine directly from Jason when I attended several Fabtech conventions. That gave me a good discount over the online price. I chose cast iron over aluminum for durability since I have a habit of dropping items or letting them hit each other. The Minion squares I have are nitride coated so they resist rusting. I would get that coating or the black oxide on any other squares if possible. It was not available when I bought mine. I use the Magic square to hold items at weird angles so I can tack them in place or start welding. The longer pins available now and the tabs make these even more versatile. If you are still making the gym equipment, you might need the larger versions. Watch the clips or pics of how he is using them together to set known heights, angles, combinations, etc. I also have a set of the magnetic shim blocks. They come in handy for my uses. He now has some thin shims which are a nice addition. I may end up getting them. It looks like he is using a better quality box for the shims now. The version of the box I have is pretty cheap and not up to my expected quality considering the quality of his other items.Millermatic 252 MIGMiller Dynasty 200DX TIGMiller Spectrum 625 PlasmaAltas 12x36 Metal LatheBridgeport Milling Machinewww.psacustomcreations.com
Reply:I have a pair of all of the squares in black oxide cast iron. I really like them. I have a bunch of his various clamps as well. Very happy with it all.Miller Syncrowave 180SD
Reply:I know you asked about Fireball , but have you considered Bessey Welders Clamps ? I don't know if they will work for your application or not.I had a job for custom gates for a horse farm and these paid for themselves. There are knock offs avaiable but Bessey are definitely worth the dollars. They are avaiable in two sizes. The largest ones are really BIG ! Mine are made in Germany, not sure about current ones.https://www.amazon.com/Bessey-WSM-9-...9248787&sr=8-3https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Originally Posted by BD1
I know you asked about Fireball , but have you considered Bessey Welders Clamps ? I don't know if they will work for your application or not.I had a job for custom gates for a horse farm and these paid for themselves. There are knock offs avaiable but Bessey are definitely worth the dollars. They are avaiable in two sizes. The largest ones are really BIG ! Mine are made in Germany, not sure about current ones.https://www.amazon.com/Bessey-WSM-9-...9248787&sr=8-3https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Reply:I recently picked up one of the Stronghand 3 axis clamps. Nice piece.
Miller Syncrowave 180SD
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Originally Posted by slodat
I recently picked up one of the Stronghand 3 axis clamps. Nice piece.
Reply:The bottom line is you can't have enough styles of clamps or vise grips.
And don't forget the usefulness of a ratchet strap. My cheap 1" Harbor Freight ones have been used for many fabricating projects. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:Thanks guys. Great advice, I will probably get the mega and monster. I seem to build big crap. I also have the 3 axis is it great.
Reply:Thanks guys. Ok stepping on my own thread. What do you use to spread a work piece? Like two uprights need spread apart.
Reply:I use a hydraulic porta power. Do you have woodworking type pipe clamps you can reverse?If you have holes in your welding table "pusher" clamps from Stronghand are available.
Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkLast edited by Lis2323; 12-29-2020 at 09:22 PM.:
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Originally Posted by Reebz
Thanks guys. Ok stepping on my own thread. What do you use to spread a work piece? Like two uprights need spread apart.
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Originally Posted by ronsii
I grab the biggest BFH I can find
unless it's a really tough frame then I do like Terry and grab the porta power
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Originally Posted by Lis2323
Whaaat?? Thought for certain you'd grab the mini.....how disappointing.
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Reply:The cast iron Fireball squares are awesome, but they sure are heavy!Don't forget that there are other options out there....The fellas from Genuine Metal Works offer some neat squares that are just bent sheets. I've heard nothing but good things about their product and might have to add one of their gauges to my collection!https://genuinemetalworks.com/produc...e-speed-square
The only downside is that they aren't really great for doing a 45º set up. You can bolt them together to get something that'll work, but it's nowhere near as convenient as the Fireball tools. Of course, they are also far more economical than the Fireball squares and come in a range of sizes that might be better suited for your needs.Texas Metalworks make squares up to 24 x24 x6
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Reply:
Originally Posted by Lis2323
Texas Metalworks make squares up to 24” x24” x6”
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Originally Posted by ronsii
Somehow that just doesn't look like a picture in your shop???
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Originally Posted by Reebz
Thanks guys. Ok stepping on my own thread. What do you use to spread a work piece? Like two uprights need spread apart.
Reply:
Originally Posted by Lis2323
Texas Metalworks make squares up to 24 x24 x6.
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Originally Posted by VaughnT
The Certi-Flat folks also offer a style like that, though their's doesn't go up to 24".https://weldtables.com/collections/fabsquaresAlso not in your shop....
I have the original adjustable square from Fireball Tools and love it, but it looks like Weldtables.com has done something a little different and maybe even more handy. I might have to put that on the list of things to buy in the near future!
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Originally Posted by ronsii
Wow!!! that does look cool!!!! all kinds of possibilities
just need more money...
Reply:Do you guys use anti spatter on those nice tables? I'd be sick if I got a big ol' blob of metal on that surface. But, I guess that most wire process's don't put out much in the way of spatter that will stick to anything.
Reply:I made my own table and blued the surface and wiped down with enox spray. I find mig spatter pops right off with the back of a hacksaw blade if it sticks at all. Usually bounces off.
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Originally Posted by Lis2323
I forgot about this Strong Hand clamp that exerts horizontal clamping forces that may work also
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Reply:
Originally Posted by Reebz
Thanks guys. Ok stepping on my own thread. What do you use to spread a work piece? Like two uprights need spread apart.
Reply:
Originally Posted by farmersammm
Do you guys use anti spatter on those nice tables? I'd be sick if I got a big ol' blob of metal on that surface. But, I guess that most wire process's don't put out much in the way of spatter that will stick to anything.
Reply:I have both size Bessey square clamps. But these look pretty wild for the price and they hold up to 2 3/4" material. https://www.amazon.com/Hobart-770565...GC0V62ZNK&th=1Sinerely, William McCormickIf I wasn't so.....crazy, I wouldn't try to act normal, and you would be afraid.
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Originally Posted by Woznme
I made my own table and blued the surface and wiped down with enox spray. I find mig spatter pops right off with the back of a hacksaw blade if it sticks at all. Usually bounces off.
Reply:I'm glad I asked, always learning. I have not seen those strong hand clamps. I drilled my table and love there clamps. I have seen the hydraulic porta power at HF and thought about that. I have to watch some videos I have never seen one in action. Lis2323 and Pscustom. You never setter me wrongThanks again Happy new year
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Originally Posted by Reebz
I'm glad I asked, always learning. Lis2323 and Pscustom. You never setter me wrong
Reply:
Originally Posted by Reebz
Lis2323 and Pscustom. You never setter me wrongThanks again Happy new year
Reply:Regular turnbuckles make good spreaders also. Use jaw & jaw TB's & you can make all kinds of ends that pin in for different uses. Excellent way to rack a square or rectangular frame that has drifted out of square. clamp ends on a diagonal & screw!
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Originally Posted by psacustomcreations
You can get pipe clamp ends that work as a spreader. That way you can adjust the length of the pipe to whatever you need.
Reply:
Originally Posted by Lis2323
This type of pipe clamp can be reversed to SPREAD....
Whereas this style doesn't.....
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Reply:And don't run out to buy a Porta Power. A cheap hydraulic bottle jack would work. Check to see if it will work horizontally though. Or a mechanical scissor jack.
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Reply:On a budget ? Get creative and tack a tab on your table and use a wedge .....
Or coupling nuts with bolts of assorted lengths.
Or watch for machinists screw jacks at garage sales. Most are homemade and SOOO handy.
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Reply:
Originally Posted by Lis2323
I had to Google enox . I use Walter products also , the anti-spatter in particular. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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Originally Posted by psacustomcreations
And of course Terry has a set that can spread. .
Reply:Thanks again. I learned from the pictures, some items I had not heard of. Last night I was looking at the pipe jack and knew it could be reversed to spread but it was not "making sense". In my defense it was at the end of a long day. lolI may go to HF and look at a porta. I hate buying foreign toolsLast edited by Reebz; 12-30-2020 at 07:13 PM. |
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发表于 2021-9-1 23:14:11