Anything welding

Can't say, although I highly doubt it since I've read people asking "what do you guys do in the winter..."

Some just develop a system for easy draining/refilling.

Others just run it even if the water froze cause it'll easy melt after you start using it.

YMMV

 

As long as I've been in the FB group and read tons and tons of issues regarding people getting shocked, having interference, or ground loop issues, I have to say it must be specific to someone's wiring where it is installed and plugged in.

I say this because you have a ton of people saying DON'T PLUG IN YOUR LAPTOP WHEN YOU'RE RUNNING YOUR TABLE, meanwhile here I am running 2 years with a laptop plugged into the same power strip that my control box is connected to.

Not everyone will have the same issues as everyone else and it all depends on how well (or bad) your wiring is done in your shop.

So as for the whole "grounding your table" no, I've never done that on either and know of many people that haven't or don't as well; think if you asked them they'll be like "what?"

 

it just came today, i won't have a chance to unbox and use it until saturday though.

part of it was definitely the youtube stuff-- dirt lifestyle got one to use, and uses the crap out of it. another few i can't recall anymore now, but almost no one has bad things to say about it outside of the price. it's almost like cutting 2x4's on a normal saw.

not cheap, but good tools rarely are. i did look into both the abrasive wheel cutter, or the significantly cheaper chop saw version at $400 that still does infinite-angled cuts, as well as converting my existing wood saws to metal cutting.

Evolution Power Tools | 14" Chop Saw | 15-Amp Motor | 0-45˚ Miter Range | 66T Mild Steel TCT Blade | Metal Cutting EVOSAW380

https://www.amazon.com/Evolution-Power-Tools-EVOSAW380-15-Inch/dp/B003TX1UPO/

or a much more basic chop saw at $255

$350 Evolution Power Tools R355CPS 14" Chop Saw Multi Purpose, Multi-Material Cutting Cuts Metal, Plastic, Wood & More Miter Cut up to 45˚ Degrees TCT Blade Included

https://www.amazon.com/Evolution-Power-Tools-R355CPS/dp/B07Z9KL7CD/

i also seriously looked into running a $50 metal blade(i can get a lot of blades for $800!) in my existing 14" harbor freight sliding miter saw, that i barely use except for remodeling projects. there was a surprising amount of info about doing this. but almost all of it comes down to making sure that one cleans up really well between materials to prevent cross contamination. but also, wood saw speeds are higher, which will result in slightly reduced cutting action, but also reduced blade life span. some Amazon blade reviews claimed less than 10 complete cuts in many cases before the carbide pieces self-ejected.

in the end, i didn't like the potential waste of lots of $50 blades. i'd realistically need to purchase at least 4 at a time to ensure i can get through a project if 5-10 cuts/blade is expected out of a wood saw. i also didn't like the standard chop saw models, as the bases are extremely small, almost requiring some sort of additional table/fixturing to deal with any material on either side of the saw.

a big part of it came down to the larger size and clamping options. because it has a bigger solid base with integrated clamps, i only need to worry about vertically supporting any length of material. it also means i can just toss it on a work bench, or saw horses, and don't need additional table supports or fixturing to use it, which is a big benefit because i'm stretching the limits of big tools that will still fit in my garage work space without kicking a vehicle outside permanently, which i'm not ok with doing.


i don't expect it to cut faster/smoother than any of the other options, but the adjustable mitering options gives me plenty of space to grow into options that the other chop saws sort of support by force--meaning they'll do it, but requires a lot of re-working the work space to make happen-- by either rotating/moving the saw, or moving around the supports and clamps. this way, i can set the saw in one place and just keep working, regardless of the angle i need it at.

currently, i'm hoping to replace my crooked-cutting harbor freight band saw with this-- mainly to cut straight, which in my experience, most band saws don't do no matter how much time one puts into aligning everything.

at least that's the theory. remind me in a year, and i'll give my real-use thoughts on it better.

 

Good choice on the EVO

I had the smaller one

Only gripe is how it slings big chunks of metal bits, and how loud it is (I always wear earplugs, even then it was loud) otherwise it was a great saw

Cuts were clean as hell, and they were always square which was the most important part

As for blades you can just grab some Diablo blades from HD

 

My laptop and controller are plugged into the same circuit. I've had no issues with missed steps or EMF interference.

I also did no laptop power management, even though many sites claim not to use a laptop for fear of the PC going to sleep.

My only thought is maybe some older home wiring systems had poor grounding, thus would interfere with your controller.

My table is on rubber pads, so I know the only grounding it gets is thru the structure ground system.

 

picked up something I have wanted for years, but never had any real use for. but now that I have the plasma table I can see where they can be useful

https://www.tmrcustoms.com/collecti...ece-starter-set-includes-1-2-1-and-1-1-2-dies

later one I can add other sizes as needed. the set is rated for 3/16"

some info on designing for dimple dies
https://sendcutsend.com/guidelines/dimple-forming/#elementor-toc__heading-anchor-2

 

Oooh I've considered a set, but from a different company (forget who else sells them)

 

eastwood has a set, but they're significantly more. i drool over them every time i walk through the store. so far, been able to talk myself out of it.

https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-dimple-die-set.html

now i'm price-shopping... the eastwood's are cheaper for the 5-piece 1/2-2" than tmr's same-size set.. tmr wants $400 for the same kit...

but tmr goes up to 3/16, the eastwood is only good to 1/8"

china still wins, Amazon's set is cheapest at $200, but only 1/8" max thickness again.

$230 UTVDISTRIBUTION Dimple Die Set Sizes 1/2"-3/4"-1"-1 1/4" 1 1/12" 1 3/4" 2"

https://www.amazon.com/UTVDISTRIBUTION-Dimple-Dies-Choose-Size/dp/B09R9RX9JF/

 

I remember now, Swag Offroad!

https://www.swagoffroad.com/product...e-die-set-1-2-3-4-1-1-1-4-1-1-2-1-3-4-2-2-1-2

https://www.swagoffroad.com/products/swag-pipe-dimple-dies-5-piece-set-3-4-1-1-1-4-1-1-2-2

 

@soundman98

The Amazon set doesn't state what thickness it supports does it?

Probably only 1/8"?

Edit: Found it, no more than 1/8"

 

I got eastwoods kit a while back and this is the furthest I got to using it so far. Planning on using it for the Bronco sliders in a couple weeks.

IMG_9255 by MJH Creations, on Flickr
IMG_9256 by MJH Creations, on Flickr

 

Doesn't help us know what thickness that is

(that's a clean dimple)

 

i don't know how i feel about the size differences swag offers. i can think of a few cases where 3/4" might be too large, and 1-1/4 just seems odd to me...

 

Ha well that is 20g. But Eastwood's site says capable of 1/8.

 

Oh damn, that's super thin

Still came out really clean

 

True, but that's Swag Offroad

They put out some good stuff but browsing their goods you can tell they set you up to get nickel and dimed especially when you buy a kit of theirs, here's another $200 purchase and another $300 option on top of it

 

I made this sign this sign for the wall of my 18-year-old nephew's arm-wrestling teams' practice dojo. He passed away a few weeks ago. Mostly men 25-40 but they all really loved the kid.

I kinda liked it plain, but my brother wanted some red, white, and blue action.

16 gauge with 18 gauge back plate.

 

I'm sorry for your loss.

 

I did a thing and ordered another fixture table yesterday.

The issue however, I will need to repurpose my welding table or get rid of it altogether.

So I need to find ways to hold my fixture tools and clamps so here's a start -









The idea is not mine as I found it online and decided to make my own.

The stops holding it in place are temporary as those will be stored on top like the other two shown.



Going this route because I will not be drilling or welding into the fixture legs at all.

 

Cut this for my next door neighbor. He keeps chickens and I owed him for a piece of pipe he gave me for a flagpole. Design was someone else's. I made a few changes but can't take credit for the idea/joke.

His kids are gonna paint it.