Anything welding

Another vote for band saw way more versatile and less shit to clean up.

 

What about a reciprocating saw? Wouldn't they work basically the same?

 

not welding, more of fabrication, BUT what do you guys think of a 1/4" 6061 aluminum rear High clearance bumper? the cnc guy at work said he could design one for me on the computer and cut it out but im not sure how i feel about an aluminum rear bumper.

 

i hate portoband saws, i always grab the recip saw when i need to make a cut

 

Makes crappy cut.

Porta-band with the Swag stand.

A chop saw is nice but abrasive blades throw sparks & crap all over the place and that pretty much wrecks the table. You can get steel blades but they're expensive.

 

Another vote for porta-band

When I cut its usually a porta-band, zip, or torch.

 

Wait, dont let this one slip past you guys

 

This^

 

any1 here using lincoln welder handy mig or lincoln 140 hd, im plan getting 1 but dont know which should i buy. any input pls

 

Well I ended up getting a chop saw. I couldn't justify the extra cost of the portaband. Got the Ridgid chop saw. Lifetime warranty

 

When you start cutting with the abrasives, coat the table part of the saw with something to keep it the material from sticking to it.

 

Better yet build a covered rolling table with an open slot in the back for all the crap to fall to the bottom. It will still get all over the place but it keeps most of it contained, we had one for a job we cut miles of aluminum and brass, it helped keep cleanup to a minimum. Though we were using a compound miter saw with a blade but same idea.

 

Tig welding, my last class in the welding program I'm in, started today. I'm pretty excited.

 

My favorite process by far

 

I don't know a whole lot about aluminum other than with proper design, it can be made as strong if not stronger than steel on a per-weight basis. it may take extra gussets and other reinforcements here and there but you will end up accomplishing the same goal with less weight.

downsides would be cost, and aluminum is much more prone to disappear when drug over rocks

 

My first crack at it wasn't so hot... Ha. But I'll get better quick I'm sure. So much cleaner

 

Go with the Longevity Migweld 140.. Almost the same exact welder but for alot cheaper and it has a longer warrenty.. (5 year I think)
I love mine!

 

I used to build armor for military trucks. We ran spray arc on all the heavy stuff. It was hot, but fun. I run a lot of spray arc with my LN-25 at home.

 

Or even better get a tweco fabricator 141i

Better company than longevity.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTFhh8dAK10