Repurpose lathe stainless steel chip tray

[R_C]

For my Atlas lathe restoration project I found a set of the original stand legs which came with a large 24" x 65" stainless steel chip tray. Looks to be 14 or 12 gauge. I don't have room for such a large chip tray and my lathe is much smaller. So I thought I could occasionally put the tray on a wood work bench and use it when cleaning oily greasy engine parts. But I would need to fill about 10 holes, some 1/4" and some 3/8". I am a poor welder and I have never welded stainless steel. What are some options for filling the holes?

 

[The Cobbler]

POC, you can send it to me & I will get rid of it for you.
seriously, nice piece ! easy way would be to put some nuts & bolts with washers

 

[R_C]

I was hoping for something smooth both sides so it will sit flat on the bench and nothing to get in the way. Right now my only thought is some metallic tape on the bottom then JB Weld to fill the holes. But I'm not sure that will hold up.

 

[ItsNemo]

Find a local welding shop and have them buzz the holes closed and you can clean it up back at home.

Though welding stainless isn't that hard for something like this, doesn't even need to be TIG, you could MIG it but ideally need tri-mix.

 

[slowtwitch73]

^^^ yup.. mig or tig whatever is cheapest and tell them you will clean up. Hit it with a flap wheel on angle grinder.

 

[Jswain]

Do you have a mig welder? Would be pretty easy if you do & already run c25 gas, just missing the stainless wire.

It won't be as corrosion proof but won't be a problem for this task and would a hell of a lot better then jbweld

 

[R_C]

I only have a flux-cored wirefeed welder. I did think about bringing it to a welding shop but wondered if there was a DIY solution I might try. I can certainly clean up their welds so that may be the solution.

 

[Jswain]

I only have a flux-cored wirefeed welder. I did think about bringing it to a welding shop but wondered if there was a DIY solution I might try. I can certainly clean up their welds so that may be the solution.

You can also get flux core stainless wire if your welder will burn .035

 

[LXCam]

Back the holes up with a piece of copper, weld it up with what you got and grind it down.

 

[R_C]

A little project like this can help me add to my skill set so I will look into the MIG option. I can get a MIG conversion kit for my Lincoln Electric Weld Pak 100HD.

 

[Jswain]

Once you convert you will wish you did sooner! .023/.025 wire in the 120v welders is a treat

 

[R_C]

Once you convert you will wish you did sooner! .023/.025 wire in the 120v welders is a treat

Glad to hear that. I just ordered the MIG conversion kit.

 

[bubinga]

For my Atlas lathe restoration project I found a set of the original stand legs which came with a large 24" x 65" stainless steel chip tray. Looks to be 14 or 12 gauge. I don't have room for such a large chip tray and my lathe is much smaller. So I thought I could occasionally put the tray on a wood work bench and use it when cleaning oily greasy engine parts. But I would need to fill about 10 holes, some 1/4" and some 3/8". I am a poor welder and I have never welded stainless steel. What are some options for filling the holes?

I'll repurpose it for you, I'd put my lathe on it (10" Logan)
That thing is NICE!!

 

[Jswain]

Where's the pictures of the lathe anyways??

 

[R_C]

OK. Here's my Atlas QC42 project so far. You can see why a 24" x 65" chip tray is too big.

 

[R_C]

Next question. Where does one buy a tank and C25 gas? I'm in rural Wyoming and my initial searches found nothing in the nearest towns but an AirGas and Linde 100 miles away.

 

[Jswain]

Real nice lathe! You could asking your local welding shop/supply shop about the bottle they might be able to point you in the right direction.

If it is that far get at least an 80cuft tank then it'll last quite awhile for a hobbyist ~1 year or more

 

[WhoWhatNow]

Tractor Supply may sell 80cuft.

 

[R_C]

Tractor Supply is also 100 miles away. I'll make some calls on Monday. I appreciate all the comments and suggestions.

 

[Jswain]

If you can get a CO2 tank locally/refills that is also an option

20lb CO2 tank will prob. Be about the same to purchase as a 80cuft c25 but the refills will be much cheaper and you will get ~175cuft of gas. Slightly more spatter & slightly more penetration

You would need an adapter for your regulator as well but they are common and cheap

 

[R_C]

I read several posts about tanks and refills in these forums and that helped a lot. I just bought a full 80 cu.ft. C25 on Amazon. The tank is within 2 years of its hydrotest date and reviewers say no problem exchanging. Delivered to my door beats the long drive. 80 cu.ft. should last me quite a while and that will give me time to find a closer source for exchanges.

 

[Jswain]

Hell ya

 

[Cruzan80]

I like how nobody's answer was to simbly get a longer lathe bed. The 54" bed would fit nicely on it as is...

 

[cpttuna]

For my Atlas lathe restoration project I found a set of the original stand legs which came with a large 24" x 65" stainless steel chip tray. Looks to be 14 or 12 gauge. I don't have room for such a large chip tray and my lathe is much smaller. So I thought I could occasionally put the tray on a wood work bench and use it when cleaning oily greasy engine parts. But I would need to fill about 10 holes, some 1/4" and some 3/8". I am a poor welder and I have never welded stainless steel. What are some options for filling the holes?

unless you are a great ss welder, put pieces of scrap ss on the bottom side and weld from the bottom