Anything welding

Good idea! Never thought about the scrap pieces.

 

Its worth asking at least. Ill usually go in with the sizes of pieces I actually need and just let the guy know. Sometimes they have something in the "scrap" pile that will work and sometimes they don't. But when its from the scrap pile can get it for cheap. Usually its a piece that's been cut funky or multiple pieces cut out of it so its an odd shape but who cares when you still get what ya need out of it. The place by me that I go to sells it for a tad bit of scrap prices so its a win-win for both...they make a little bit extra on something they would have scrapped anyways and you get a deal.

 

Has anyone built a portable band saw stand? Any pics?
Debating between building a simple one vs spending $130 for one from swag.

 

Getting some ideas from here
http://www.palmerartprojects.com/gallery/portable-band-saw-table-plans.html

 

I want one as well and the add on options from swag seem wicked awesome like foot pedal power switch, my big decision is which portaband to get but I'm leaning towards Milwaukee

 

Milwaukee. I've had mine for 20 years.

 

First day of welding class at the local community college and I had a great time. I've always wanted to learn how to weld ever since I built a CJ5 12 years ago and had to farm out all the welding. Now my Tacoma needs a cab mount chop and weld on alignment tabs, so no better time than now to learn a new trade. I have zero welding experience, so go easy! Today the instructor gave us all a coupon and said we would be using it for the next 2 classes, so basically weld the hell out of it. He showed us some of the basics of the machine, then turned us loose to experiment. My initial welds were pretty rough, but I began to get the hang of it (sort of) after about an hour of making passes. He told us he wasn't going to critique any welds until next week; the goal of today was to get everyone up and running. I'm very much looking forward to laying down the proverbial stack of dimes! For now, I'll settle with globs of weld.

Today we used what the instructor called the "shitty gas" 75/25.
Most of my practicing was at 200 amps and 19.5v with .45 wire.

 

The Swag stand works great. But building one is a good project and will help home your Fab skills.

 

Running straight beads on the first day?

 

I'll fab this one. Not looking to break the bank.

 

I just don`t see the need for a vertical band saw Never Had a need for one.

Gotta be years since I used the Portaband maybe 3 times since 2000 when the truck got sold

 

I use mine about half the time and the plasma cutter the other half. It is still one of my important cutting tools. If it died, I'd run out and get another.

My problem is the present one is over 20 years old. I don't think I would need another to go 20 years. I think if I got 10 years out of a HF unit, I would be fine.

I've never saw the need to have a stand made for mine. They do look like a neat project though.

Also, I don't have bench space to put one.
I don't have work benches, only Fab tables. Work benches are only places to improperly store your tools.

 

No plasma for me or any other means to cut metal tubing. This is a hobby for me so I'll make the best I can with my $100 HF portaband and the stand I'll make from scrap.

 

"No plasma for me or any other means to cut metaltubing"

Yet.

 

Portaband stand in the works...

 

@Rakso

Drill an 1/8 dia hole at the end of your blade access slot. For easy chip escape and also to keep the tooth set from rubbing on the steel.

 

I only have an angle grinder and have been looking into oxy acetylene torches in hopes to finding a quicker and quieter means of cutting plate. I'm trying to be mindful of my fiancé, neighbors, and tenants.

I want to dig into some plate to build bumpers and skids this spring. I cut some of the 3/16" plate with the angle grinder and wanted to die. so loud and dirty! the 1/8" plate for the smoker wasn't nearly as bad as this plate.

Seems like w a torch I could cut any shape / size steel that I'd need. I see plasmas can cut more types of metal, but those are $$

 

I know Chinese stuff isn't the best option but I picked up a Lotos lpd5000 plasma cutter last year and it's worked well for the light use I've used it for. Mostly cutting brackets off and thinner stuff. But I have cut 1/4" with it. Wait for it to be on sale and you can get it closish to $300.

It's no hypertherm or even in the same league as one but it has come in handy quite a few times