Give me your welding experiences
- Thread starter Mith
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Hope I am not getting too far off the subject. I aquired (for free) a fairly large piece of 1/4 inch stainless. It's about 18 inches wide by 12 feet long. How would this work for the top of a welding table?
Have always avoided working with stainless for obvious reasions and have no expierence with it at all. Was thinking of using two lengths which would give me a 36 inch wide table but not sure how I could cut it. Can you cut stainless with a cutting torch?
Have always avoided working with stainless for obvious reasions and have no expierence with it at all. Was thinking of using two lengths which would give me a 36 inch wide table but not sure how I could cut it. Can you cut stainless with a cutting torch?
MarkStewart
Silver Member
I don't think you could cut it with a torch, to cut with a torch the metal needs to oxidize(rust) from what I understand. Bandsaw, hacksaw, metal cutting wheel on grinder etc.
<font color="blue"> </font> How would this work for the top of a welding table?
Stainless makes a good work surface. Get someone who has a Plasma torch to cut it. for 2 cuts it would probably be 4 bucks. Cost you that much in cut off wheels if you do it yourself.
Stainless makes a good work surface. Get someone who has a Plasma torch to cut it. for 2 cuts it would probably be 4 bucks. Cost you that much in cut off wheels if you do it yourself.
40Kchicks
Gold Member
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I think the best material for a welding table is a thick piece of mild steel. The reason I like it best is that you can tack weld your metal to it to clamp it down or get the metal your welding into just the right angle. After the weld is done just break your piece off the table and quickly grind the small tacks off.
Inspector507
Super Member
I use a piece of red brass plate that I found when I moved in here. Conducts nicely and nothing sticks /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Inspector507
Super Member
So far, I weld inside. Red Brass will not rust, it may need a little cleaning now and then but /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
texastomtom
Gold Member
Thanks Mith,
You got me all fired up about doing some welding now.
I havn't had a welder for decades but since i recently moved out to the country I have been wanting to get my hands on one for the odds and ends one needs to tend to.
It struck me finally that my brother probably still had our old equipment from the farm.
Went by his house earlier today and picked up not only a welder but also and torch/guages/gas cylinders combo.
Tested the torch already,, works great - just needs a new tip and hoses will need replacing.... I guess now I'll be able to cut apart all the things I weld incorrectly and have to redo.. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Replaced the rod holder with a new one he had laying around and tested the welder briefly. All in all the unit is in pretty good shape.
I dont guess I ever knew the difference between a dc welder and ac welder as this is the only one we ever owned at the farm - but it is an AC welder. Montgomery Ward brand 230 amps. 100% duty cycle.... Does anyone know if this is a decent unit. It must be ok as it is probably 35 years old and years ago was used regularly.
Ok,,, I'm just rambling now but thanks for spuring me on to get started on this. I should have everything in top notch shape this week. ( new hoses, tip, pick up some 6011's )
Nothing is open for such supplies on Sunday around here so I'll just have to get out the Wax and polish it up so it will look nice too... ( the wax remark is just for you Mith )
If I can figure it out I will post some pics of my tractor and implements that I plan on converting for imatch. I suppose this is the right forum for the implements at least - as they are projects to convert to quick hitch compatibility.
tom
You got me all fired up about doing some welding now.
I havn't had a welder for decades but since i recently moved out to the country I have been wanting to get my hands on one for the odds and ends one needs to tend to.
It struck me finally that my brother probably still had our old equipment from the farm.
Went by his house earlier today and picked up not only a welder but also and torch/guages/gas cylinders combo.
Tested the torch already,, works great - just needs a new tip and hoses will need replacing.... I guess now I'll be able to cut apart all the things I weld incorrectly and have to redo.. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Replaced the rod holder with a new one he had laying around and tested the welder briefly. All in all the unit is in pretty good shape.
I dont guess I ever knew the difference between a dc welder and ac welder as this is the only one we ever owned at the farm - but it is an AC welder. Montgomery Ward brand 230 amps. 100% duty cycle.... Does anyone know if this is a decent unit. It must be ok as it is probably 35 years old and years ago was used regularly.
Ok,,, I'm just rambling now but thanks for spuring me on to get started on this. I should have everything in top notch shape this week. ( new hoses, tip, pick up some 6011's )
Nothing is open for such supplies on Sunday around here so I'll just have to get out the Wax and polish it up so it will look nice too... ( the wax remark is just for you Mith )
If I can figure it out I will post some pics of my tractor and implements that I plan on converting for imatch. I suppose this is the right forum for the implements at least - as they are projects to convert to quick hitch compatibility.
tom
Have you priced the brass plate, just might be worth enough to buy a new portable welder. the metal costs are raising.
And to you Mith, I weld where I need to. I like welding inside with the A/C if the part is small enough, otherwise in the shed. But if I have to, I take the Portable down in the field to what ever needs welding, but I don't care much for welding in the sun, unless I have to. Surface rust on the table don't hurt anything. Out of Habit, I grind the table before I start a new project, just to be sure it is flat and has no dings, etc. I spend a few extra seconds where the ground clamp connects.
And to you Mith, I weld where I need to. I like welding inside with the A/C if the part is small enough, otherwise in the shed. But if I have to, I take the Portable down in the field to what ever needs welding, but I don't care much for welding in the sun, unless I have to. Surface rust on the table don't hurt anything. Out of Habit, I grind the table before I start a new project, just to be sure it is flat and has no dings, etc. I spend a few extra seconds where the ground clamp connects.
