Anything welding

I saw a railing at work with the same type of deal but no turnbuckles. Basically what it looks like they did is they went through with the cable on the end post and pulled the cable super tight and slid on a flanged sleeve and crimped it with a swaging tool so it would stay tensioned on the outside of the tube. Reasoning for the flanged sleeve was so the ugly part of the sleeve that was crimped could sit inside the tubing and the the flanged sleeve would keep the tension on the outside of the tube

 

That sounds like a good idea, I'll have to check into it.

 

Wanna know the trick to knowing if your welds are slick or not? Get your phone and take a picture of em lol. I swear this shit looked slick in my hands and then I take a pic and it's like ehhhhh.... lmao the struggle!

 

Confused???

What are you laughing about?

 

How many joints have you done like that??

takes some time

Was the pipe beveled??

 

I've done a few. It really did look better in person lol I'm pretty hard on myself when it comes to welds cause I wanna get slick at it.

Plus it was basically conduit to galvanized plate using 7018 lol. Wasn't basic mild carbon to carbon.

No bevel or anything. We are just building pipe supports so it's nothing crazy

 

That explains the undercutting.

Phone cameras are harsh. Don't take any selfies.

 

Yea I was burning it cold to try and counteract the undercut but oh well.

 

Meant to quote the picture.

 

I get sick just thinking of the welding of Galvanized Steel

When I was welding Mack Truck Cabs

It was not so much from my welding but the other welder on the other side of the cab

The Door post acted like a chimney all the fumes went up the door post through the space between the double cab roof and down the other side

 

I'm looking at getting a plasma cutter and I'm considering going with one that has an integrated compressor. Thoughts?

I'm considering the Hobart AirForce 12ci but also the Hypertherm Powermax 30 Air. I know I can cut thicker metal with the Hypertherm but it's also more than twice the cost of the Hobart. Unsure if I really need that much more or if I can make due with the Hobart.

I'm just a hobbiest with my 120v power in the garage and a Hobart Handler 140 but I'm ready to finally build up my RTT trailer. First order of business is removing the expanded metal and sheeting it as well as extending the tongue and building fenders. I share this so you know my position and what kind of stuff I'm wanting to work on/with.

 

If you plan on cutting anything thicker than 1/8", I would go with a 220v machine. You cutting speed will be so slow you will probably end up using a grinder with a cutting wheel instead..
Integrated compressor is ok, especially if you do not already own a large compressor. Also makes it more portable as you do not need to drag a compressor with you. I personally use a Miller 375. Have cut 5/8* with it, albeit slowly.

 

I'm leaning more towards the Hypertherm for those reasons. I've been watching the hell out of YouTube and watched a guy with the 12ci cut a couple inches then sit and wait just to cut a couple more. Fuck that...

I think the thickest I'll be cutting will be 1/4".

 

I never used the air supplied type plasma cutter. I've always had a compressor so can't offer an opinion.

 

Go Hypertherm !!! Don`t look back

While not a big fan of the built in Air Compressor the good thing is you don`t get moisture in the air

Being the Plasma Arc is around 50,000 Degree`s F water is not a Good mix

Besides Max Williams the Hyperthrm Rep is one hell of a nice guy to deal with

 

+1 moisture is the big killer. You'll end up ripping through consumables left and right. A stand alone compressor will always be best and isn't overkill even for the hobbiest. Hypertherm has bulletproof customer service which is a big thing with tempormental plasma cutters.

Just remember that the ratings for those are always short. Stainless steel takes about double the juice as mild steel.

 

The more Fabrication one gets into I know I used more and More Air Tools it is nice having a two stage compressor

Then I run a M-26 air filter right at the plasma unit

 

Basically they fall into the normal triangle.

Cheap
Powerful (+1/4")
Reliable

Pick any 2.

OP are you using it for anything besides steel? An OA setup might be the better fought if so, or if you can just farm out the few non ferrous jobs you have

 

So I'm pretty set on the Hypertherm Powermax 30...now it's if I get the one with or without the OBA.

I was a CNC Machinist in my previous career so I've got nothing but air tools. I've been wanting a good battery powered set of tools but it's hard for me to get away from pneumatic. With that being said, I've got everything I need to run air to the cutter...I just don't know if dealing with the extra lines is worth saving a couple hundred dollars.

We'll be selling this house and buying one that fits us better, so I also have to keep in mind that I will be having 220 in the garage (or shop...if I can be so lucky).