Finally took a welding class

[pequeajim]

I know you guys do a lot of fabricating, and to read the posts in the forum has always amazed me. I finally decided to take a welding class to see if it was something that I would be like to do.

Well, after the first class I was lovin' it /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The instructor is very hands on and pushes everyone to work on projects. Power Trac makes and sells an adapter plate for the build it yourself type person and it goes for $150.00. I decided if I could make a couple of them, it would easily pay for the class!

I thought I would tell you guys how I made out.

 

[pequeajim]

After playing around with several practice welds, I wanted to see if I could make a PT mounting plate for a trailer hitch.

Here is what I came up with, worked out pretty good. It's made of 3/8" steel for the top, 3/8" for the slots and 1/4" for the bar around the top with a 1/2" rod.

It took me about 4 hours for the first one, but now that I have the template and somewhat know what I am doing, I think I could do it in about an hour and a half.

The pic shows the original PT plate on the right and my home made version on the left. I had no way of bending the bottom locking plate, so I welded it on.

 

[pequeajim]

Here's a closer view of the plate. It fits perfect.

I did a micro fillet weld between the 1/2" rod and the 1/4" top flat bar. Then I did another weld over top of that.

Excuse the sloppyness but at this point, I had only been to 4 or 5 welding classes.

 

[pequeajim]

This shows the 1/4" flat bar stock that is welded to the 3/8" adapter plate.

It's funny, I thought I had to take the flat bar and bend it to fit, THEN weld it to the plate. My instructor had me tack weld it to the plate on one side, and then use a torch and hammer to bend it to fit. I then tack welded it on the other side and let it cool.

 

[pequeajim]

Here's my welding project in the beginning setup and tacking stages...

 

[pequeajim]

I'm just havin' too much fun doing this!

 

[pequeajim]

And now all welded up.

I made 3 passes everywhere with a 200 amp MIG.

 

[pequeajim]

And the painted project with it mounted on the Mean Green PT Machine!

The paint's not even dry yet /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I used square tube for the side supports in case I decided to use them for something. I only wish I had made them a little longer for additional support of anything that I slide in there.

The only thing I have left to do it drill out the locking pin hole to size on each receiver.

 

[RonR]

Great job!

You could tow a tank with that hitch!

Ron

 

[rosey]

Are you taking the classes at your local community college??

 

[pequeajim]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Great job!

You could tow a tank with that hitch!

Ron )</font>

Rosey: Here in PA, they call it a Career and Technical Center. It is kind of like a CC, but much more trade oriented.

The class costs $350.00 and the shop is enormous with lots of heavy equipment. I'm going to take another one just for building 2-3 projects.

Here's a pic of one side of the shop. They have about 25 Miller welders, plazma and torch cutters, drill presses, band saws, etc. all sorts of stuff.

 

[johnday]

pequajim; Now where have I seen those photos before? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Good job.

 

[pequeajim]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( pequajim; Now where have I seen those photos before? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Good job. )</font>

To quote an older SciFi show...

"By your command" /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Henro]

<font color="blue"> I made 3 passes everywhere with a 200 amp MIG. </font>

pequeajim

Great job! Good decision to take the welding class, wasn't it?

I could kick myself in the butt about 55 times (once for each year on the planet up to that point) for not learning to weld sooner.

I must say you had me worried though...my class was a stick welding class...I don't think my stick welds look anywhere as good as your welds...and when you said you built the first one after a few hours of practice...I hung my head in shame... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Never tried MIG yet...look forward to sometime. Stick is hard for me to make pretty and TIG is too slow...

Keep up the great work!

 

[KiotiJohn]

I'd say you're doing quite well in the welding department. That's a nice looking project, and you haven't even gotten through all the classes yet. You must have a natural bent for it. John

 

[pequeajim]

Thanks guys. I'm happy that I have started to learn welding before I got too old. Then I'd have to get my wife to do it for me! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I really have taken to it. I guess I do better at projects when I like them. I have built radio control model airplanes for several years. Maybe some of that modeling skill has carried over.

I still need lots of practice but at least I can make something now.

Next project will probably be a rake.

 

[hhw]

A true work of art. How could anyone not see the beauty in such a thing?

 

[tomrscott]

Pequajim,

Your welding looks wonderful. Like Henro, I am still trying to learn to stick weld and my welds don't yet look that "purty."

I'm sure that I'm not the only one who is just a little jealous. I wish I had the time to take a welding class and learn from a pro. Too many other comitments already. Barely have time for the projects I'm in the middle of between work, night school (finishing a bachelor's degree at 51 years of age!, and then probably going to have to do a Masters, just to stay employed these days), kids, honey-do list, etc.

But a welding class is definitely on my list down there someplace, after seeing your work!

Congrats! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[pequeajim]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( (finishing a bachelor's degree at 51 years of age!, and then probably going to have to do a Masters) )</font>

Good for you!

Who says we old dogs can't learn new tricks huh? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( finishing a bachelor's degree at 51 years of age )</font>

Congratulations. I didn't finish mine until I was 35. And now I have a 36 year old daughter who expects to finish hers next year.