26x27 detached in So Cal

[The J]

So what robot is welding those pieces???

Amazing work. Thanks for sharing the details from design to build.

 

[SPARTAN69]

Those welds are beautiful. How long have you been welding? & where and how did you start?

 

[Weekend_warrior]

Wow, those motor mounts look great. Just clear then like that when your done. You have some serious welding skills.

 

[JUSTA50]

Like everyone else has said, amazing work. Seems like you know a lot about equipment, so what would you recommend for a beginner? I know it has a lot to do with the task, but it's for general welding (sheet metal, fab parts like what you do). Thanks

 

[ZTFab]

Thanks everyone!

Those welds are beautiful. How long have you been welding? & where and how did you start?

I've been welding for about 15 years now.

I'm self taught and started when I was working on my hot-rods back in High School (66 Mustang, 70 Duster, 63 Nova) then I started racing off-road trucks with some friends in the late 90's. I was a full time Toyota mechanic and started prepping and rebuilding our race trucks. In 2002 I quit the dealerships and began fabricating full time.

Like everyone else has said, amazing work. Seems like you know a lot about equipment, so what would you recommend for a beginner? I know it has a lot to do with the task, but it's for general welding (sheet metal, fab parts like what you do). Thanks

I would recommend getting as big of a welder as you can afford. The 110 machines are great but, as I said, they have their limitations.

If you want to stay physically small but have some decent capacity then I would look into either Lincoln or Miller's 180 class machines.

 

[UN4GTBL]

Wow! BEAUTIFUL welds!!

 

[ZTFab]

Thanks!

 

[ScubaSteve]

Fantastic work! Sorry to add to the flattery, but I give credit where credit is due

I see you use solidworks quite a bit for modelling and have a Bridgeport, but it looks like a manual. Are you using a plasma cutter or some other machine to pattern some of your parts?

I'm a hobbyist myself, but I like to collect tools "just in case" Most times, I'm just looking to add capabilities to my shop and I see a lot of potential with some of the sheet metal fab equipment. Your shop is a very nice balance between size and capability....pound for pouund one of the best I've seen on here. It's not just a huge building with $50k in cabinets and SO toolboxes, and I respect that.

 

[cameby]

I'm stunned by your welding skills. It's too much. I might have to sell my welders.

 

[ZTFab]

Fantastic work! Sorry to add to the flattery, but I give credit where credit is due

I see you use solidworks quite a bit for modelling and have a Bridgeport, but it looks like a manual. Are you using a plasma cutter or some other machine to pattern some of your parts?

I'm a hobbyist myself, but I like to collect tools "just in case" Most times, I'm just looking to add capabilities to my shop and I see a lot of potential with some of the sheet metal fab equipment. Your shop is a very nice balance between size and capability....pound for pouund one of the best I've seen on here. It's not just a huge building with $50k in cabinets and SO toolboxes, and I respect that.

LOL, thanks Steve.

Yes, I use SW for almost all of my design work unless it's a simple job then I just wing it old school.

Yes, that is a manual Bridgeport. 9x42 Series 1, 2 HP with DRO and power feed on the x axis. I use it for prototype work as I have a local machinist who does great work for great prices.

I used to cut all my parts by hand on my bandsaw. Even with SW, I would just print out a 1:1 drawing (I also have an HP 450C wide format plotter) and layout the parts with dykem and go to town.

I have wanted to get a CNC plasma table for years. I assembled, programmed, and operated a Torchmate II 4x8 when I was the head R&D fabricator for Pro Armor but I could never find the space or money to buy one of my own.

I now use a local water-jetter or another local guy that does great CNC Plasma cutting (what most of the parts on the sand car were cut with).

Their prices and quality are good enough that I can do other jobs while they are cutting my parts.

I'm stunned by your welding skills. It's too much. I might have to sell my welders.

Thanks....don't sell them, just practice more and you'll get better!!

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

ZTFab, I'd like to add my applause for your welding skills; absolutely artful talent!

You've said you are self taught since you started 15 years ago, but I was wondering if you could recommend any online resources for welding self-education for the neophyte hobbyist welder? My OA and Millermatic 150 (Ar + CO2) rigs have been patiently waiting for me to get off my duff, break out some coupon material, and get busy practicing! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Looking forward to seeing Release 'X', Version 'Y', Mod 'Z' of your workspace. I'm still spinning my wheels on 'The Plan' for my home shop. The placement of equipment is constrained by existing power plug-ins, logical position in regard to workflow, dirty/clean areas, storage considerations, fume extraction, and future equipment space allocation. If you could share your thoughts on what you place where and why, it would certainly help us who are just getting started on Not-For-Release 'Alpha' shop plans. lol

 

[Olliecampbell]

I'm subscribing to this, for no reason other than to see the beautiful welding!

 

[ZTFab]

ZTFab, I'd like to add my applause for your welding skills; absolutely artful talent!

You've said you are self taught since you started 15 years ago, but I was wondering if you could recommend any online resources for welding self-education for the neophyte hobbyist welder? My OA and Millermatic 150 (Ar + CO2) rigs have been patiently waiting for me to get off my duff, break out some coupon material, and get busy practicing! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Looking forward to seeing Release 'X', Version 'Y', Mod 'Z' of your workspace. I'm still spinning my wheels on 'The Plan' for my home shop. The placement of equipment is constrained by existing power plug-ins, logical position in regard to workflow, dirty/clean areas, storage considerations, fume extraction, and future equipment space allocation. If you could share your thoughts on what you place where and why, it would certainly help us who are just getting started on Not-For-Release 'Alpha' shop plans. lol

Thank you!

I would take a look at Weldingtipsandtricks.com

Jody makes some great, no-nonsense, welding videos for all sorts of processes and projects. He does a great job of showing and explaining things.


As far as equipment placement in my shop goes there is no particular rhyme or reason. I do so many varying projects that I try to keep the layout as open as possible but easily reconfigurable.

I put casters on a lot of things to make that possible and plan to add more to some other machines and work surfaces. Not only does it keep the shop versatile it aids in cleaning up after throwing chips and sparks on a big project.

Hope that helps and I'll try to post some updated photos of the shop.

I just got a new horizontal mitering bandsaw a few months ago...I'll have to take some photos and show how much I love it compared to my dry-cut saw!!

 

[ZTFab]

I'm subscribing to this, for no reason other than to see the beautiful welding!

Thanks Ollie!

 

[raddksn]

Thank you!

I would take a look at Weldingtipsandtricks.com

Jody makes some great, no-nonsense, welding videos for all sorts of processes and projects. He does a great job of showing and explaining things.


As far as equipment placement in my shop goes there is no particular rhyme or reason. I do so many varying projects that I try to keep the layout as open as possible but easily reconfigurable.

I put casters on a lot of things to make that possible and plan to add more to some other machines and work surfaces. Not only does it keep the shop versatile it aids in cleaning up after throwing chips and sparks on a big project.

Hope that helps and I'll try to post some updated photos of the shop.

I just got a new horizontal mitering bandsaw a few months ago...I'll have to take some photos and show how much I love it compared to my dry-cut saw!!

Two thumbs up for weldingtipsandtricks.com. I have learned a TON from Jody!

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

ZTFab, thanks for the web site recommendation; I'll give it some serious study! Looking forward to more shop and project pics.

I like your approach to equipment layout. Some of my equipment is on mobile bases now, I need to buy more locking casters to equip the rest of my stationary stuff. Hey, the need for more bases will give me an excuse to scrounge some angle stock and start running clean looking beads; after a lot of coupon practice, of course! lol

 

[bika bill]

Sorry guys...been way slammed with work!!




Bill, the short answer, yes. I have used an SP-135 for many years and it is capable of making some great welds...BUT, like all 110v machines they have their limitations so I wouldn't expect to be welding 1/4" plate with the little guy.

I run .023" wire in my SP-135 with C25 shielding gas and use it on 1/8" material and thinner.

What do you mean by track? Are you thinking like a track torch used for cutting or submerged arc?

If so, no. No tracks or guides are used. Just a **** load of practice.

Yes, I was thinking of a track like for machine welding. You sure have given me hope for my little welder, but since following this thread I've gone through 2 lbs of wire and still my welds look like rotten fruit thrown against a fence -- and to think I was blaming my welder. So I ain't giving up! The "welding tips and tricks" site you recommended is good too. Thanks tons, and thanks for the encouragement.

 

[Wilbur]

Wow!......awesome weld ****.

Thanks for sharing so much info! I am learning SO much just reading this! I really appreciate it!

 

[fergus]

Just went through your thread again. Did you ever get around to the truss replacement? Did I miss it?

 

[JoeAverager]

Nah - he doesn't really weld that way. It's special effects from a movie. A George Lucas type of thing... LOL!

GREAT welds. New here and reading/learning alot.

 

[ZTFab]

Just went through your thread again. Did you ever get around to the truss replacement? Did I miss it?

No, unfortunately not yet. Other things keep popping up...new bandsaw, new StrongHand BuildPro table...I'll be getting around to it eventually.

Nah - he doesn't really weld that way. It's special effects from a movie. A George Lucas type of thing... LOL!

GREAT welds. New here and reading/learning alot.

It's all "smoke and mirrors"

 

[ckpitt55]

came across this thread after seeing your posts in the welding projects thread. you're self taught? so there is hope, afterall! you sir, are a wizard. zero tolerance fabrication indeed.

 

[BarnFab]

No, unfortunately not yet. Other things keep popping up...new bandsaw, new StrongHand BuildPro table...

How do you like the table ?

 

[cfaas416]

You might have mentioned this earlier but what do you use to notch your tubing? Im guessing your mill?

 

[ZTFab]

How do you like the table ?

I just bought it and should have it by next week.

I hope I like it A LOT for what it cost!

You might have mentioned this earlier but what do you use to notch your tubing? Im guessing your mill?

I use a JMR TN-1000 Tubing notcher.

 

[bika bill]

Hi again, ZT. Your welds have inspired me to do a lot of practice (there's still nothing pretty in what I'm laying down!). I'm not real clear that the attached weld was made with TIG or MIG short circuit?
(I hope it's attached...)

 

[ZTFab]

Hi again, ZT. Your welds have inspired me to do a lot of practice (there's still nothing pretty in what I'm laying down!). I'm not real clear that the attached weld was made with TIG or MIG short circuit?
(I hope it's attached...)

Awesome Bill!

That piece was done with short circuit MIG.

.030" ER70S-6 wire with 75%/25% Argon/CO2 gas.

Keep practicing...you'll get it!

 

[bika bill]

I went through another spool of wire (2#) last weekend and Labor day (yesterday). Welds are looking better -- it's like practicing writing, but only e's! That's a slick trick! I actually got a hint of the stacked dime appearance.

What about spatter -- how do you make the welds so spatter free? Also, what power source are you using?

Thanks, ZT. You're very encouraging...

 

[bika bill]

BTW, I forgot to mention that I'm using 308 wire on 304 base metals, so I figure the apearance may never be the same as what you're getting with the ER70S-6.

 

[TeckniX]

Zapster from welding web? If not you have similar skills it seems

Everything's looking great really and enjoying the builds. Are all of your pieces 1 of, or you create templates and can re-produce at will? (saw the solidworks)

Keep at it!

 

[NUTTSGT]

I haven't checked in for a while. How about some pics of the new stuff in the shop. Glad to see you're not losing your touch.


Do you have one "go to" welding helmet or does it depend on what you're doing ?

 

[cafyrman]

Zapster from welding web? If not you have similar skills it seems

I believe ZT and Zapster are on opposite coasts.

 

[SwampHouse Kustoms]

ZT, you are the man! Incredible work, truly inspiring to say the least. Did you ever get the BuildPro table set up? I have a couple steel tables and one homemade jig table and thinking about replacing them all with a buildpro when I get back from this next deployment. They are pricey, but freeing up space is probably worth it.

 

[skrap metal]

we need pics! we need pics! we need pics!

 

[Corvette Joe]

Awesome weld.

 

[RandyPenn]

Welding Tips and Trick on YouTube posted a video about you.

 

[paulrey27]

BUMP!

Got hooked on this thread... Great welds and helpful tips.

 

[ed_v]

No, unfortunately not yet. Other things keep popping up...new bandsaw, new StrongHand BuildPro table...I'll be getting around to it eventually.

Any new shop updates?

Ed

 

[ed_v]

look what I found!

Ed

 

[shortykorte]

Thanks for providing useful info. Any comments or pics on the new scissor lift?