Anything welding

Im at the point i could use the tig to do some stainless (car exhaust) and leave mild steel on the mig.

More or less i was just surprised how easy the tig was so it wouldnt hurt to have it. Maybe ive just been fighting that shitty clark for so long.

 

Those Clark and Chicago welders have probably turned off more people to welding than any other units. They are utterly shit.

I've tried dialing those units in and it's a ridiculous struggle. It takes forever.

I'm sure many novice peeps have gave up thinking welding is not for me. Sometimes you really can blame the tool.

 

Which i have been

 

My weld has the dimple in it.

 

How much space and lifting capacity you got? If you like tig there's quite a few old transformer machines that can be had for real cheap and will outperform most inverters under $15k except for a couple a/c settings. Only catch is they're usually around 5-800 lbs and minifridge size
Also if you can work out getting a water cooled torch - do that. Most underrated thing in all of welding

 

I dont have that much space, lol. Small size and portability are prime to me.

 

Tried to finish up the exhaust rear section but ran out of argon. This is what I was able to get done.

 

Sharing something I thought many of you would like to see - I'll preface by saying I personally own a number of Fireball tools but I've stopped investing in them ever since I learned about their practices and shit on social media last year.

Fireball Tool removed the ability to comment on their videos on YouTube (or implemented heavy moderation) that prevents anyone even questioning any part of their business in any way shape or form. Dude is always acting on the defensive and this is especially true after people came out stating that their fab tables are made in China (which was proven to be true). While there's nothing wrong with that since many of us own Chinese-made goods, Fireball Tool has always touted how they're all about made in USA and shit.

A recent post in another forum just reinforces that -

 

https://youtu.be/xX762RFzucg?si=SqGpvVSl9Oyjchw8

 

I was going to make north Korea joke.

But now let's talk about tãçotunes. Or ktjo4x4....

In the end, always vote with your wallet.

 

Looking for some opinions. I am a relatively new hobbyist starting to dabble with some side work in the hopes of turning it in to more in the future.

My customer is encouraging (and helping) me to get a nice table for some larger size projects we’re planning! Think I’ve zeroed in on Texas Metal Works, they are reasonably priced (including free shipping which is a discriminator alone) and the self fixturing assembly looks like the best possible outcome I could hope for on a DIY table. Understood I’m not going to achieve machined cast slab level of flat/square, but being able to tighten, check and adjust before making it permanent is pretty damn cool!

Curious for y’all’s opinion on thickness? This article was an interesting read. Logically I agree that thicker won’t necessarily result in stronger/flatter since that is achieved by the ribbing, but I am maybe a little concerned about deforming the holes with tooling over time. I can’t imagine I’ll ever be “high volume,” but if tooling gets sloppy after a few years I’m gonna be really bummed I didn’t spend the extra cash… At this price I’d really like to keep this table for the long haul.

Is 1/4” A50 up to the task or should I drop more for 3/8”? Price is $900 vs $1350.

https://texasmetalworks.com/2020/09...BpJUZVlTC62Yt9TX4aAKHC7oU-tfo_A-gHOCJZDq6vW-X

 

I'd chalk this one up to personal preference, one that normally comes from experience.

I loved the flat, solid tables I used in my two fab jobs as they allowed me to place whatever, wherever on the table without fear of losing anything.

They're cheaper and easier to find, making this option much more budget friendly but at the risk of having something 'wavy' or 'curved'. It can be helped with some manipulation and welding it under a frame you make up and brace yourself.

From there I went from my own fixture top I cut out on my CNC table, to a thicker metal top I got done locally on CNC laser, to finally sticking with the fixture tables I'm running now.

If I did it all over again, I'd go right to fixture tables because I love having a thick top along with strong sides I can affix things to.

Not knowing what all you'll be working with exactly, I'll just say this - go with something both thicker and larger than you're telling yourself to buy, you'll be glad you did.

 

Somewhat related, I did borrow their designs for two different accessories they offer.

The first, is their stop and clamp holder they sell for +$30.



About $8 worth of steel, and a few minutes of cutting and bending time and I had my own version.







Along with their other tool holder they sell for $60-80.



My version, all in at less than $5.



Although I did spend about $10-15 on the large bolts, but I was able to use them for both tool holders.

 

Great point, I know what I’ll be working on near term and none of it would I consider “heavy duty” or in need of excessive clamping force, but if I want this to grow and the table be something I keep long term, thicker is probably better. An extra $450 now will be a lot cheaper than a whole new table down the road.

Envelope-wise I’m for sure going with as big as I think I can get away with still keeping one car in the garage and still have some kind of access to our storage. Think that’s going to be 30”x60”. One of the cool things with TMW though is they sell kits for extensions, so I can get 10/20/30”x60” to add to it if my space changes!

I’ve seen your tables but never really asked about them. What make/kit are they? Thickness? Anything you would want to change about them? Maybe PM me if you don’t want to clog up the normal conversation.

 

Badass man! I’ll definitely reach out for an accessory order when I get this sorted and set up

 

Anything Welding - Anything metal pretty much goes in here

I run two PrimeWeld fixture tables, affixed together with their bolt kit.

Originally only bought one, because my garage is pretty small as is. Here she is at only 2' x 3'. She's 3/8" thick up top and 5/16" thick all around the sides.



Unlike the Langmuir fixture table, the PrimeWeld comes with legs included (albeit at a slightly higher price) along with heavy duty adjustable feet that I decided not to use in lieu of some leveling casters.

The other table there is the one I got cut out locally on a CNC laser table. Actually came out ahead when I sold it because I was all in at under $175 and I sold it for +$200





Having a vice and press brake though, that's when I said fuck it and ordered a second table shortly after. I set it up to have a length of 2', at 6' wide.



Been useful for a ton of shit and even though I don't need a ton of room, I'm glad I opted for the second table.

 

When your customer (friend) is a huge dick!

 

The veins are a nice touch

 

Looks like he needs half a blue pill ..