Welding table build

[ovrszd]

Please don't think I'm questioning this, I'm just trying to educate myself.

Will the table remain straight after the frame is welded to the plate??

Are you going to weld the tubing on the top of the plate as pictured? If so will that tack welding help pull the plate straight too??

Thanks for your answers.

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

The frame will be welded to the side opposite the straps -- at least that is the plan at the moment. I realize that is counter-productive to the heat shrinking conversation that has gone on but I'm not sure I have any other way around it as the only way that I can pull it straight is from the convex side which puts the straps and blocks in the way of the frame.

I plan on taking my time with welding the frame together to ensure it stays straight and being mindful of overheating it while welding. I'm going to tack the frame together with my mig for convenience then use the stick to finish weld -- it's been a several years since I've used the stick so the practice will be good. After the frame is fully welded, I'll stitch weld the top plate on while the straps hold it straight. I don't expect that I'll have enough stitches on it to overly affect it other than holding it in place. I think I'll have an inch or two of stitch every foot or so which I can't imagine will be enough to shrink it any.

Heading back out to the shop now to continue

 

[muddstopper]

Good info on straighting out bent metal. I watched a fellow straighten a axle tube once. He did so by just running light beads of weld in the bent area. The welds pulled the tube back straight. Also watched a utube vid of a guy straighten a large steel shaft using a tig torch. Pretty much the same procedure as running welding beads, except with the tig, no filler metal was used. Everything I try to straighten usually ends up worse than it was before I started.

 

[Shield Arc]

Everything I try to straighten usually ends up worse than it was before I started.

I remember those days. When I worked in a fab shop in the 1970s, I got stuck building 200 of these for the Seattle Metro bus system. The legs had 1/8-inch tolerance at the bottom. If you ever welded much square tube, you'll know how reactive it is to heat.:shocked: Every one of the legs had to be heat shrink back into spec.

 

[Reverser]

I remember those days. When I worked in a fab shop in the 1970s, I got stuck building 200 of these for the Seattle Metro bus system. The legs had 1/8-inch tolerance at the bottom. If you ever welded much square tube, you'll know how reactive it is to heat.:shocked: Every one of the legs had to be heat shrink back into spec.

My goodness!!!
Is there anything you haven't done? :laughing:

 

[Shield Arc]

My goodness!!!
Is there anything you haven't done? :laughing:

Oh I've built a few things in my time.

 

[Reverser]

SHAZAM!!! :shocked:

Yep, I guess you've been one busy fella. :confused2::laughing:

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

SHAZAM!!! :shocked:

Yep, I guess you've been one busy fella. :confused2::laughing:

No kidding!

What's the deal with the bridge in pic #3? Looks like it is floating

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

SHAZAM!!! :shocked:

Yep, I guess you've been one busy fella. :confused2::laughing:

No kidding!

What's the deal with the bridge in pic #3? Looks like it is floating. Where is it?

 

[Shield Arc]

There are 7-floating bridges in the world. 4 of them are here in the Puget Sound area. I've only worked on 3 of them. The company I worked for is replacing the 4th one now.