Anything welding

i'll find a sharp edge on some scrap metal, and run it against that, sort of like how one sharpens a lawn mower blade, just run the sanding disc so the sharp edge is cutting into the disc--kind of opposite how one makes a real sharp edge. it tends to cut past the gunk into fresh material

some of it is the right selection of disc. we have 60 and 120grit discs at work. the 120 gunk up if you stare at them too long. the 60 is more of a general purpose disc, but leaves a rough edge. so most times, i'll rough out things with the 60, and then touch them up with the 120 for a final finish.

at home, i use the hercules 36 grit flappers for roughing out. they're far more aggressive, and less prone to gunking up--- especially on my trailer project that has multiple layers of primer on it from re-coating it for outside storage between weekend work sessions

 

Thanks, I’ll give it a try! I stock up on those 36 grit hercs whenever they go on sale because they work so well, just hate throwing them away with so much meat on the bone!

 

Since it's been cooler weather out here, thought I'd enjoy being outside this week so I took care of tomorrow's work

Welded up the 20 tabs on this thing and it's done





Got some lag bolts on the way which will secure the wood to the top

Wood top could be finished by the end of the week

 

$8 8" x 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" Abrasive Cleaning Eraser Stick for Sanding Belts Sanding Discs Paper Skateboards - Natural Rubber Eraser Stick

https://www.amazon.com/Abrasive-Cleaning-Eraser-Sanding-Skateboards/dp/B0D6V96JFJ

 

I do bake stuff but i stole that pic off interwebs

 

Ordered, thank you!

 

Interesting, never seen one of those before

 

Took about a week and a half but they're finally here



They seem to do well holding both 3/16" and 1/4" to the table top, and 3/16" to the sides

Since the sides are 5/16", it'll be the same as the top paired with 1/4"





I see Langmuir has a two piece set for clamping down their fixtures but that requires an allen key where this is completely tool less

Although if you wanted to really make things tight, you can use an allen wrench on top



We'll see how they hold up given the raw, cast iron underside





Edit: Mounting 3/16" towards the bottom of the sides doesn't tighten up as much as I'd like. Seems 5/16" measures down at the very bottom edge.

 

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...^^^... I will try that ... thanks ...

 

Guess i gotta change the way I hold the torch lol. Felt my finger getting hot but didn't think it was that hot hahaha. Was wearing 2 Kevlar gloves and a leather glove.



Welds that caused it lol

 

Do you have a water cooled torch? If so something may be wrong if you could do that before hitting the duty cycle of your machine. If not it's like the best investment a tig welder could make. Game changer. Hard to go back type thing for me

 

I dont. Definitely need to invest one asap.

 

I just caught my hair on fire a little… guess I do need a cap after all…

 

Bandana

Been using them all the times I've ever welded

 

What not nick said

Also, every welder should keep these around



Two weeks ago a freshly plasma cut edge burned through my glove and the top of my finger

It's basically just a scar now but the cooling gel those things have help so much with the constant searing you feel after a fresh burn

 

Is there anything special I need to know/do to weld HSS to mild steel? It’s nothing important, just a big positioning pin and HSS was the only option for this size that would get here tomorrow.

 

It's a harder material, so I'd treat it as such by maybe pre-heating it before welding.

Curious to see what others on here say.

 

If its not anything that will see signifficant stress or impact, just pretend is mild steel.

Normally you try to minimize the heat affected zone to mantain strength, but again, if you don't need the strength of HSS, dont worry.

The only i would do is preheat the area. HSS is more susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement. Some preheating may prevent a weld crack on the HSS side should you ever drop the thing.

 

Thanks guys, much appreciated!

 

Just got back from a welding lesson Amber got for me Super cool to get some one on one instruction and human feedback instead of having to decide which of the two YouTube videos saying the opposite thing are right!