2014 POTD Thread Archive

[Cadillac STS]

Found the lights at home depot

 

[Boswell]

"Made a night time dog walking or just walking light."

Simple, practical and looks good.

 

[zmotorsports]

Tig welding has peaked my curiosity since I have been reading up on welding. I will be looking to add a tig welder to the shop in the future. I wouldn't call it cheating...I would call it using your resources!!

You will love Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding. About 10 years ago, 80% of what I welded was MIG and the other 20% was TIG. Now that has completely reversed and more. I would say about 10-15% MIG and 85-90% TIG welding. I have a Miller MM251 MIG machine running C25 gas and a Miller Dynasty 300DX Tigrunner for my TIG. I also have some samples sitting around so when people need something welded I can show them a few samples of each and let them decide the process in which they want to pay for. TIG welding generally takes a little longer but not as much as some people think once you get proficient at it.

For large pieces on trailers or Jeep/truck frames MIG seems to be the best economic choice. However, for small items and especially the 4130 chromoly chassis that I built in the past, TIG is the choice hands down. Much easier to control the heat effected zone for a sounder weld and also more aesthetically pleasing on a race chassis. All of the motorcycles that I work on get the TIG process, also a couple of the street rod chassis that I have welded I have used TIG as they are for show as much as go.

 

[Vince_O]

The boys have been busy working on some tractors, mostly what we do, break and repair, LOL But my oldest Vince had to make a game for the fund raiser at the animal shelter that he works at and wanted something like wheel of fortuin on tv. This is all his desighn. I welded it, he cut it. The wheel was made by a local cabinit maker. He made the bushing the wheel spins on.

 

[Johnwright]

While I was doing a small turning project a couple of days ago, I decided that I needed a shield on the back side of my small lathe to contain the chips flying off the cutter and hiding in a difficult to get to place. I was able to locate a clean rectangle of 1/8" sheet aluminum and I marked it where I needed some bends. It was then that I discovered that there was NO shop in my small town (pop. 18,000) that had a sheet metal brake that would handle this small job. (WHAT THE HECK?) I marked the top (lengthwise) at 2" and the bottom at 1 1/2". I then took a 4" cutting disc on an electric grinding tool and carefully cut a line approx. half way through the sheet, effectively weakening the material along the marked lines. I then clamped the sheet and bent both cut lines, the top at 90 degrees and the bottom at 45 deg. It is interesting to note that after bending, one cannot even see the cut line. The bottom, I bolted to the Jet chip tray with 3 small bolts. I plan on drilling holes of various sizes in the top bend to hold my cheapo tail stock chuck and other items such as screwdrivers, etc. I cleaned the part with acetone and then etched it with an acid solution, cleaned it again thoroughly, and rattle-can sprayed it with a close-enough color from Rustoleum. All it needs now is an official "Jet" decal to place in the center. Just shows you that "Po" folks have "Po" ways. John W

 

[Ripthorn]

My project is not one seen around here much. Machining is a secondary hobby for me behind woodworking. Most of my woodworking is in building guitars. I recently finished one that needed a bridge that fit an existing footprint. So I grabbed a piece of 6061 and put it in my little CNC, pocketed the main area, and center drilled the mounting holes. Then some work on the drill press and sander, and it was done. This was my first actual machining project on my CNC, first use of a fly cutter, and first pocketing. Here it is on the finished instrument:

 

[mzayd3]

The boys have been busy working on some tractors, mostly what we do, break and repair, LOL But my oldest Vince had to make a game for the fund raiser at the animal shelter that he works at and wanted something like wheel of fortuin on tv. This is all his desighn. I welded it, he cut it. The wheel was made by a local cabinit maker. He made the bushing the wheel spins on.
View attachment 87259View attachment 87260

This is fantastic! more kids should have this type of experience. I know my kids will, once they are older though.

 

[markknx]

Wish I couldget my son out in the shop more. Every now and then I trick him into comming out, and hewill get sucked into something.

 

[markknx]

Brian, When you come to an edge try stopping a little short of the edge, and bring the lead angle of your rod up to 90 deg. and let the puddle flow ahead of the rod. as soon as the puddle makes the edge break the weld by pulling the rod up and away from the edge. this works the best for me. Mark

 

[Cheeseking]

Dang a homemade angle plate!! Pretty neat. I agree stress relieve for sure.

Fir me tonight it was a set of custom end of arm grippers for a guys bottle screen printing machine. Sure is nice cutting HDPE after wrangling w/ 304 stainless on the lathe