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    #46
    I am reluctant to post this online, but I couldn't bear to spend $543 more than necessary on the welder, so I backed out of the Airgas (brick and mortar) purchase and made the purchase online. I won't provide excuses.

    Also, the cart that I am buying (pictured below) only holds one tank and I am anticipating the need to back purge, so I will get this dual flowmeter/regulator: https://store.cyberweld.com/viredfm150du.html

    Click image for larger version

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      #47
      Here is one source of practice tubing: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...bargainbag.php

      As a gift for my lungs, I am getting one of these helmets (https://store.cyberweld.com/3mspad91wadf4.html or https://store.cyberweld.com/3m-speed...101-30isw.html or https://store.cyberweld.com/3m-speed...101-30isw.html) and this tungsten sharpener https://store.cyberweld.com/tugrpiii.html

      I also found a nice place for the lathe and mill in my (landlord's) garage. In order to make room, I will have to move the bike repair stand into the middle of the garage and completely remove two large metal shelves from the garage.

      I don't mind having the bike repair stand in the middle of the garage, but getting rid of the shelves will cause me to find a new home for what was on the shelves. There isn't much space left.

      With the welding cart and the welding table, I will have absolutely no room left for more tools, bikes or parts. I will, however, have barely enough room for one person to work.
      Last edited by commuter ebikes; 01-21-2018, 04:13 PM.

      Comment


      • calfee20
        calfee20 commented
        Editing a comment
        You can get new expensive tungsten's for $2.00 each. My question to you is how long will 300 of them last you. I think that sharpener is for a welding shop and a lot of welders.

        I bought a Speedglas helmet before they were bought out by 3M. At the time I paid $360? or there about. Everyone thought I was crazy but being able to see the work piece before striking an arc is priceless.

      • commuter ebikes
        commuter ebikes commented
        Editing a comment
        My motivation for buying the sharpener is to minimize the exposure to tungsten dust. A friend of a friend recently passed away from lung cancer; he didn't smoke, but he did TIG weld.

        For the electrodes, I will start with 1/8" and 3/32" Thoriated on steel, Ti and SS, and 2% Lanthanated on aluminum, but I have not yet found a link to a quality brand of electrodes. If I had to buy today, I would try https://www.arc-zone.com/thoriated-t...v5c6dph00u9b3g and https://www.arc-zone.com/lanthanated...v5c6dph00u9b3g
        Last edited by commuter ebikes; 01-21-2018, 06:57 PM.

      • geckocycles
        geckocycles commented
        Editing a comment
        I have been supporting Jody and that is where I get my Tig Fingers and tungsten.
        Brazing rod, silver solder, gas flux and past flux I get from Hank at Henry James since the 80's.
        I use cheap ass auto darkening HF helmets without an issue for the last 15 years I guess and I had one battery of the two fail once. They are button batteries and easily replaced if you have a spot welder. I did buy another one though. I did have a friend who got one and it flashed him so he returned it and got a lincoln. Maybe I am just lucky.
        HF angle grinders are great for the most part as long as you don't have to use them for more than 20 mins at a time. They are not very smooth running and heat up at the head, not unlike my Dewalts. If you only need them for short bursts, like I do, I have no issues with the HF. When I need to use one for extended periods of time I break out the Metabo. Hands down the best one I have.

      #48
      This is the first welding table that I am considering https://www.bakersgas.com/MIL951169.html , but I don't know what I need in terms of a welding table for a hobbyist framebuilding shop. I know that I will spend months or years sitting at the welding table practicing. Many welding tables are horrendously expensive, and many are kits that you have to weld yourself, but I have very limited welding experience.

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        #49
        You need practice, and simple mild steel is best. As long as you will be buying steel and making practice joints, build the darn table exactly as you need it.

        if you think it was embarrassing to admit online buying, settling for a sub optimal table because you aren't confident you can weld it?....come on!

        ;-)
        Fabrication is fun! Build something today. Show someone. Let them help. Inspire and share. Spread the desire.

        Comment


          #50
          Originally posted by JPLabs View Post
          You need practice, and simple mild steel is best. As long as you will be buying steel and making practice joints, build the darn table exactly as you need it.

          if you think it was embarrassing to admit online buying, settling for a sub optimal table because you aren't confident you can weld it?....come on!

          ;-)
          My only experience with welding is from when I had a very cheap Harbor Freight MIG welder; the results were poor. The welder that is on the way is TIG and stick only.

          I think it would be a good idea to weld my own table after the classes in April and May. I can wait a few months for a table.

          Here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecZs8JPEYeU is a video of a guy building this table https://weldtables.com/collections/p...ab-slot-u-weld and this leg kit https://weldtables.com/collections/p...kit-heavy-duty

          That table and leg kit costs $549-$640 delivered depending on if one purchases it from Eastwood Co. or CertiFlat.

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          Last edited by commuter ebikes; 01-23-2018, 09:09 PM.

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          #51
          This bombproof cast iron table and steel stand https://www.weldsale.com/product/wsc...x-3-ft-bundle/ weighs 620 lbs. The price is $2,875 plus $700 shipping for a 3' X 3' welding table.

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          Last edited by commuter ebikes; 01-23-2018, 09:26 PM.

          Comment


          • calfee20
            calfee20 commented
            Editing a comment
            The owner of the rental place I worked at thought he was a welder. When we moved into a new building with a lot of space he wanted me to build a welding table. A good welding table has to be rock solid and heavy will do that. We used a piece of 3' X 5' steel a couple of inches thick and welded 4" square tubing legs on it. It was so heavy you couldn't move it but we had a fork lift.

            It was not crude. The top had nice radius cuts on the corners and the legs also had radius corners.

          • commuter ebikes
            commuter ebikes commented
            Editing a comment
            That steel plate must have cost a fortune!

          • calfee20
            calfee20 commented
            Editing a comment
            I didn't have to buy it. It might have been 3X4. I don't want to exaggerate and he might have had it laying around. It was just that he never had a good place for one until his sons bought an old Agway store front and storage building. We moved the rental business out of the lumber yard and to this new location.

          #52
          You would probably want to stick weld the heavy sections. It's pretty easy to do, compared to TIG.

          I went to a local steel yard for my table materials. Cart, actually. 24X30 1/2" top, square tubes, HD rubber casters cost me about 250$, casters were about 80 of that IIRC.

          Steel is WAY cheaper at a dirty, crude steel yard, than online, if you have one in town.

          I think you could be making decent stick welds your first day, with recommended settings and some practice. Or, an hour if someone shows you.

          I'd recommend you try simple practice welds when the welder is set up, before the class, and if they are working decide to build it. If not, sure, wait.

          one great thing about welds is that you can add more, later. So, skills improve, later, OK, rework the table a bit as you gain confidence.

          maybe make a stool or smaller thing, first, so you don't risk expensive materials. Something you can throw into the salvage pile if you don't like it.
          Last edited by JPLabs; 01-24-2018, 02:34 PM.
          Fabrication is fun! Build something today. Show someone. Let them help. Inspire and share. Spread the desire.

          Comment


          • commuter ebikes
            commuter ebikes commented
            Editing a comment
            The next one or two years is just for practicing TIG and stick on steel, so this sounds like a great idea.

            Would you believe that I had forgotten that someone can grind down an ugly weld and redo it?

            We have a wonderful steel yard in my town. I have been going there for over 20 years. It seems to be a little expensive, but the products, people and service are top notch.

          #53
          I think you will enjoy it. With no time pressure, you will have it figured out, at your leisure, for sure. Boring as it may sound, just welding coupons together, then hammering them in half to see if they bend or crack, is fun for quite a while. Then, making welds pretty is a lifetime progression, you get better and better.

          'Proper' welding isn't needed for an over-designed bench, IMO. It won't crack. And, so what if it does.....

          Sure, you can grind welds. You can just lay more on top, too.

          Something else I have done is to go back over old stick welds with the TIG, later, no filler added. Just pretty them up. Play with the puddles. This won't work well if there is slag and porosity, but for a clean stick weld, seems to work fine.

          Take a steel plate and just write your name on it, like an engraver. Make the wife a steel birthday card. Melt smiley faces into coins. All kinds of ways to play with arc control, without committing to a welding project. Heck, I've burned stuff for fun with mine, tried to melt rock, all kinds of weird things. Playing with it and learning.


          Fabrication is fun! Build something today. Show someone. Let them help. Inspire and share. Spread the desire.

          Comment


            #54
            My laptop died which had some valuable notes on it, including my To Do list. I didn't back up the document because I am always adding to and crossing tasks off the list. Now that I am recreating the replacement To Do list, I see that this is a task in itself.

            I thought I lost my Art of Electronics PDF, but I found it in my Google Drive. If anybody ever wants a copy of this book for free, email me at erikmannie@gmail.com. It is a fantastic book on electronics. It is 28.9MB.

            I ended up buying these items:
            welder https://store.cyberweld.com/midy210dxcps.html
            wireless foot pedal https://store.cyberweld.com/miwifocosy30.html
            dual flowmmeter/regulator https://store.cyberweld.com/viredfm150du.html
            water cooler https://store.cyberweld.com/mico13cosy30.html
            coolant https://store.cyberweld.com/lowconan.html
            small runner cart https://store.cyberweld.com/mismruca30.html
            20 series torch https://www.amazon.com/CK-CK212SF-To.../dp/B00JV8NIJM
            electrode sharpener https://store.cyberweld.com/tugrpiii.html
            gas lens https://www.arc-zone.com/gas-lens-collet-body-ck-2gl
            gas lens cups https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-ti...s-10-pack.html
            standard cups http://www.airgas.com/product/Weldin.../p/RAD64005427
            helmet with respirator https://store.cyberweld.com/3m-speed...101-30isw.html
            welding table https://store.cyberweld.com/miar60wo.html
            welding curtain for table https://www.bakersgas.com/MIL300686....iABEgKyb_D_BwE
            shelf for table https://www.bakersgas.com/MIL300679....CABEgKGkvD_BwE
            two clamps for table https://www.bakersgas.com/MIL300613....yABEgKMLvD_BwE
            convenience kit for table https://www.bakersgas.com/MIL300614....CABEgLoy_D_BwE

            At the local welding supply store, I bought a Q size (80 cu. ft.) tank of pure Argon, some 3/32" standard collet bodies, three 3/32" 2% Lanthanated electrodes and a #7 standard alumina cup. The empty Q size cylinder was $218 plus tax. The fill was $30. The local welding supply was not very knowledgeable about TIG stuff. They had to look up the collet bodies and cups. Maybe that is normal; they probably wanted to make sure to get it right.

            My Dad and I put in one 220V, 50A outlet in the garage. This will probably be a problem with the landlord at some point. I should have obtained a permit; I will have to see about retroactively legitimizing this outlet.

            There is still a fair amount more to buy. It has been all work and no play for me since the New Year. I have created a lot of friction with management by maxing out my overtime every week.
            Last edited by commuter ebikes; 02-17-2018, 07:23 PM.

            Comment


              #55
              You've got a really good start there. You will also need a good 4-1/2" or 5" angle grinder for cutting and grinding heavy materials. Also get a 1/4" die grinder for finer work. I like air powered die grinders because you can control the speed with the air pressure. Now start fabricating stuff! Good tig practice would be to make some sculptures out of nuts and bolts and wire and whatever other metal tidbits you can find.

              Comment


              • JPLabs
                JPLabs commented
                Editing a comment
                Yes! With artwork as practice, birthday gift savings becomes ebike funding. Works for coat hooks, paper towel holders, boot scrapers, and all manner of useful things, too.

              #56
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              That's some of my practice, then gifted. Not difficult, just need scrap metal. Note the beak. I'd been meaning to throw that old drill away... Trash becomes treasure, if you have a welder!

              There is a spike into the dirt, under the foot, so it won't fall over.
              Last edited by JPLabs; 02-19-2018, 02:49 PM.
              Fabrication is fun! Build something today. Show someone. Let them help. Inspire and share. Spread the desire.

              Comment


              • calfee20
                calfee20 commented
                Editing a comment
                When I worked at the tool repair place we used to rebuild drill chucks. They actually come apart with a press. That one looks pretty good.

              #57
              I assembled the Miller ArcStation table, tried to hook up what I have and experimented with the electrode sharpener. Note the 220V outlet in the photo.

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              Last edited by commuter ebikes; 02-24-2018, 09:33 PM.

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                #58
                I was unable to figure out how to connect the red "coolant in" hose. I looked at the owner's manuals for the welder, water cooler and torch, but I have to research further to see how to connect it.

                Comment


                #59
                Originally posted by commuter ebikes View Post

                My Dad and I put in one 220V, 50A outlet in the garage. This will probably be a problem with the landlord at some point. I should have obtained a permit; I will have to see about retroactively legitimizing this outlet.

                There is still a fair amount more to buy. It has been all work and no play for me since the New Year. I have created a lot of friction with management by maxing out my overtime every week.
                Don't do it. The last thing you want to do is to tell the power company that you weld.

                Comment


                • commuter ebikes
                  commuter ebikes commented
                  Editing a comment
                  If asked, I could just say that it is a 220V outlet for a dryer in the garage.

                #60
                Originally posted by commuter ebikes View Post
                I was unable to figure out how to connect the red "coolant in" hose. I looked at the owner's manuals for the welder, water cooler and torch, but I have to research further to see how to connect it.
                I notice that the torch you bought is not a miller. I also found a pdf from miller that shows adapters too connect different torches. http://www.millerwelds.com/~/media/m.../e/a/ay7-2.pdf

                Page 4 of the pdf has the adapters. I also grabbed a photo out of the pdf.

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                • calfee20
                  calfee20 commented
                  Editing a comment
                  Left hand threads on some of the fittings.

                • commuter ebikes
                  commuter ebikes commented
                  Editing a comment
                  Yes, both of the coolant connections on the Coolmate 1.3 are LH threads. If they didn't do this, you know some idiot (possibly me) would send the coolant through the gas lines in the power supply.

                • commuter ebikes
                  commuter ebikes commented
                  Editing a comment
                  Am I the only person who finds it amazing that the both the water return and power are shared on that single red hose? How in the Heck is all that power (up to 210A at 220V) transmitted through what appears to be just a water hose?
                  Last edited by commuter ebikes; 02-24-2018, 08:54 PM.
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