Weld Test Stand

[erikmannie]

It is hard to balance the round T-handle on the round pipe to clamp it.

Still the same rod: 3/32” 6010 at 77A.

After welding, it wasn’t straight enough. I had to bang on it with a hammer to eyeball it straight.

 

[francist]

You have a milling machine don’t you, Erik? You might have milled a small flat in the centre of the T part to help stabilize it on the bolt head. Come to think of it, putting the T part crossways in your 4-jaw you could have made the flat on the lathe too. And I KNOW you have one of those!

 

[erikmannie]

Sleeves are coming along:

 

[erikmannie]

You have a milling machine don’t you, Erik? You might have milled a small flat in the centre of the T part to help stabilize it on the bolt head. Come to think of it, putting the T part crossways in your 4-jaw you could have made the flat on the lathe too. And I KNOW you have one of those!

Good recommendation. I will do that for the last two T-handles.

 

[erikmannie]

Tonight I used my PM-25MV to drill two 1/2” holes in two 3/8” plates. These holes are for the T-handled bolts that tighten the 1/2” bar that holds the plate or sheet coupons.

I used my PM-1030V to shorten the bolts to just the right length, & then welded on the T-handles.

 

[Just for fun]

Looking forward to the end result.

 

[wachuko]

Subscribed!

 

[erikmannie]

I went to the steel yard for the third day in a row to get supplies for this project.

Today, I bought a 1/2” thick, 10” square plate to use as the base. I also picked up 1/2” Grade 8 bolts.

I took pictures of the employee using the behemoth ironworker to punch the 9/16” holes.

 

[wachuko]

Nice. Having them punch the holes saves you some time, bits, and frustration at your place….

 

[erikmannie]

I didn’t get much of a chance to work on this today because my friend came over, and we worked on his stuff for a full 5 hours! We made a gun mount for his tractor LOL. He loves his combination .410/.22LR.

All I was able to do was make the base. This base will either mount on my indoor welding table (TIG only indoors once the new mill arrives!), *or* my outdoor, wooden workbench (where it will see most of it’s use).

One photo shows the deep bezel I put on the bottom of the pipe. All of the weld beads are 3/32” 6010 at 80A: very hot welding!

I will clean up the spatter at a later time.