msharley
Well-known member
Dang! That RINGS a Bell!
Show us your welding projects
- Thread starter neonnblack
- Start date
Wilmington NC is the end of the road when it comes to competitive pricing. We’re limited by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and surrounded by farms on the other. Unlike lumber, steel suppliers don’t really have any competition and they know it!
On top of that, they seem to only stock 14ga and thicker.
GaryM909
Well-known member
I showed up to buy steel a my normal place once and the saw was broken so now
I take a 6" cordless grinder with 3 batteries and a bunch of zip discs just in case.
And a cut sheet.
mattthemuppet
Well-known member
I’m going to make it into a rolling disco party you can see from space! Oh wait, that’s my bicycleWhatever you do, don't put strobe lights on it.
sqznby
Well-known member
That's the truth. I'm down the road in Atlantic Beach/Morehead area, it's crazy.
sqznby
Well-known member
The majority of my targets have been 1/2" to 1", it's just what I had laying around. But they were being hit by 17, 9, 40, 223, 308, 7.62x39 and 5.7x28I used 1/4" mild steel plates for my targets, as they were meant for .22/handgun use. The spinner had to be at about 30 yards or the .22 wouldn't have the oomph to get it going, putting the shooters well within the ricochet zone.
You can see one of my knock-downs didn't respond well to .223 Rem.
The rifle is one of my custom Ruger 10/22 builds. The only part that was actually made by Ruger is the receiver. Stock is a modified/customized Boyd's Blaster. That one weighs right about 12 lb, so it mostly sees use from a bipod. I built another ultra-light for field use--squirrels, grouse, etc.
That one weighs in at 4 1/2 lb, using a Tony Kidd/Walther-Lothar aluminum sleeve barrel. The stock is Ruger, cut down to my pull length.
I need to get them out and play with them more often. Unfortunately, asshats using the various old gravel pits around the county as dumps and just expressing their general ***-hattery have caused nearly all of the informal shooting ranges in the county to be shut down and gated off. The formal shooting range is a little too formal for my tastes.
I just realized that the stock on that first rifle wasn't yet finished in the photo.
Here it is, all finished:
Haha I noticed the hole in one of them and was going to ask.
Nice rifles man, they look great and I'm sure are equally accurate. Tack drivers.
I haven't shot for a long time. Like you're saying, it's the same here. I need to ask a buddy to use his land, the better way to go and peaceful, nobody around is nice.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
Yeah, AR500 is the "approved" stuff for center-fire rifle targets--not mild steel. What's interesting is that the "crown" on the hole was the entry side! The target--which I never expected to find again--barely moved, when .22LR often sends them tens of yards. .357 really makes them hard to find.
As for accuracy with my modded 10/22s,
That's tuning the barrel dampener on the keyhole stock/scoped rifle @ 100 yards. 10 rounds per target. I think I got it tuned in by the last one--but there's always a flier.
sqznby
Well-known member
Oh yeah, familiar with good ole AR500, made a few targets and shot some AR as well.Yeah, AR500 is the "approved" stuff for center-fire rifle targets--not mild steel. What's interesting is that the "crown" on the hole was the entry side! The target--which I never expected to find again--barely moved, when .22LR often sends them tens of yards. .357 really makes them hard to find.
As for accuracy with my modded 10/22s,
That's tuning the barrel dampener on the keyhole stock/scoped rifle @ 100 yards. 10 rounds per target. I think I got it tuned in by the last one--but there's always a flier.
To keep this on topic, here's a bucket I had to repair and reinforce with some AR500 plate, not sure why I didn't get pics of the outside but had to put a bunch of plates outside as well.
Man, that makes me want a 10/22. She's a shooter that's for sure.
My 17 is a tack driver at 100 too but it's stock out of the box. I'll get a pic up tomorrow.
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Beerhippie
Well-known member
^See, you're a welder--I'm more of a hobbyist. Maybe part-time welder.
As for the 10/22, keep in mind that there really isn't much 10/22 left on my rifles. Everything is either aftermarket or (mostly) my own mods. I learned to make the stock Ruger triggers crisp, short and light (sub-2 lb), but it takes doing.
Kinda like making a stock car from a Chevy Nova....
As for the 10/22, keep in mind that there really isn't much 10/22 left on my rifles. Everything is either aftermarket or (mostly) my own mods. I learned to make the stock Ruger triggers crisp, short and light (sub-2 lb), but it takes doing.
Kinda like making a stock car from a Chevy Nova....
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Thanks, Cam.
I buy most of my commodity square/rectangular tubing, angle, etc at American Steel (NE corner of Broadway and Extension) in Mesa. Haven't found another supplier at anywhere close to their pricing.- and they don't charge to cut 20' sticks in half and load them into my "overly large truck with a ridiculously short bed".
Specialty stuff comes from Industrial Metals, but never in any quantity worth getting excited about. Usually just hit the remnant racks.
Scrolls came from Davis Metals, but I find them to be really overpriced on commodity sections. And, they are the furthest away from my place, so I only buy from them if it's something I can't get anywhere else.
If I need one piece of something or need to exchange a gas bottle I go to Old West Welding in Apache Junction. Local, very helpful, and reasonable pricing (with limited inventory.
sqznby
Well-known member
I am? Hahaha just kidding unfortunately I've been doing it for a little while. I wish I worked in a brewery and did more sanitary stuff.Here's my 17, pretty much all stock. SS bull barrel, AccuTrigger and I found some 10 round magazines for it. It's great, tack driver for sure but, my buddy told me to get a 10/22 and I was stubborn and wanted the faster bullet so I got this. I'll end up getting a 10/22 sooner than later just because there's so much available for them. Everyone needs a modded 10/22
Hahahaha exactly
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Beerhippie
Well-known member
I finished the stand--aside from painting. The last part arrived this AM:
A little top-heavy on the casters, but usable. I may end up welding some more weight to the base. I may also add a tool tray at some point.
A little top-heavy on the casters, but usable. I may end up welding some more weight to the base. I may also add a tool tray at some point.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
I, too, wish I did more sanitary welding. I used to do quite a bit, but my eyesight and manual dexterity just ain't up to it any more--even with my readers and 2X cheaters in my helm. Getting the back-gas balanced for those welds was always interesting.
Here's my 17, pretty much all stock. SS bull barrel, AccuTrigger and I found some 10 round magazines for it. It's great, tack driver for sure but, my buddy told me to get a 10/22 and I was stubborn and wanted the faster bullet so I got this. I'll end up getting a 10/22 sooner than later just because there's so much available for them. Everyone needs a modded 10/22
Hahahaha exactly
Sweet lookin' Savage! I have an old Savage .17, but it turned out to be the Walmart model--no aftermarket parts available. It has a horrible tupperware stock that I can easily flex in my hands.
.17 is a great caliber for varmits. There are lots of places around here where shooting .22 isn't possible anymore, due to gentrification and the ricochet factor. 17 basically doesn't ricochet--the little bullet just vaporizes on contact with anything hard.
What's your scope?
sqznby
Well-known member
I feel your pain my friend my sight is going down the drain to. Using cheaters and readers pretty both all the time now and my trusty flashlight haha.
Thanks, it's a fun little shooter and very comfortable.
I have only shot targets with it, never lived anywhere where varmint control was really allowed, you know in city limits haha the neighbors wouldn't like that too much
It's a Vortex, can't remember what model though. Nothing fancy but it works.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
The last time I attempted a sanitary weld, I drew a beautiful line of fusion weld... about an eight-inch from the join.
For those not familiar with sanitary tubing welds... they're a PITA. The stainless tubing--usually 316L--is very thin, maybe about 16 gauge. The join has to be nearly invisible, as it's a fusion weld--no rod added. The weld has to be back-gassed to prevent "sugaring" AND to keep the weld perfectly level, inside and out with the pressure of the argon. Full penetration, for sure.
If someone tells you they can do sanitary welds, always ask them to show you first. Too gawddamned many welders have a "can-do" attitude, when in reality, they "can't do" and just make a freaking mess out of expensive equipment. If there's something I really hate, it's polishing someone else's turds.
kaymccampbell
Well-known member
That was in the day. Nowadays I depend on my essential tremor to keep my MIG weave looking good-ish.
sqznby
Well-known member
THAT'S why I have my trusty flashlight haha, can't tell yah how many times I have done that and I'm not ashamed to admit it either.
The story of my life "everyone's a welder" until it comes time to weld, they either lay down a caterpillar or some droopy chunky monkey and then the excuses come out. And what happens, you have to clean up their messes. I can't agree with you more.
Bob Heine
ALLIANCE MEMBER
@Beerhippie and @sqznby, you have to listen carefully to people. "I am a welder" and "I own a welder" almost sounds the same. I own several welders but all I can do with them is make caterpillars and chunky monkeys. With one arm my weapon of choice is a MIG. With double vision (thus, no depth perception), guessing my stickout is 3/8" usually results in a 3" stickout. I bought a TIG with dreams of fusion welding stainless exhaust tubing but my end result is often 'tack holes' rather than welds. I'm too stubborn to quit and too stupid to ask for help. But I do love owning welders.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
What I was referring to wasn't someone with no business welding, but someone with no business sanitary welding. The guy my boss hired to do some modifications on one of our fermenters was a highly experienced commercial welder--he just didn't know **** about sanitary welds but had his "never say can't" attitude and, frankly, had about zero fucks to give about any advice I offered re: back-gassing, etc. It took me several days to get his welds ground down to where I could even think of passivating them--stainless "sugaring" is damned hard stuff.
I won't touch pressure vessel, pipeline nor serious overhead structural work as I know my limits in ability, training and certification. Sanitary welding is similarly a technical skill.
Old Man Roger
Well-known member
The only ''sanitary welding" I've done was welding a D hook on the side of the flatbed we used to deliver porta potties.
Counts right?
Counts right?
ScepterToad
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2023
- Messages
- 329
If'n you don't mind, I'm gonna find a place to use that. Probably before the end of the day.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
To "polish a turd" is to fix someone else's screw-up. Not sure if it's a local thing or what. Might be a cowboy expression. Or sports.
Bob Heine
ALLIANCE MEMBER
@Beerhippie, the phrase has been around for a while. Although it won't help any of us, Carpy (of Carpy's Cafe Racers) sells Turd Polish:
Beerhippie
Well-known member
^Actually, considering my annual consumption of Mother Mag and Aluminum Polish, that might be handy. Besides my just liking the name.
kaymccampbell
Well-known member
Isn't that just for sticks? Original or Quick Humps?
For your long board….
PlanB
Well-known member
Another 30% just answer "no" to any question they can't heat
Beerhippie
Well-known member
$25 for 5 oz? I guess I'm sticking with Mother's.
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Your mom makes turd polish?
iagsxr
Well-known member
Wow, I hadn't thought about that guy in years.
When I was into vintage Japanese bikes he was kind of a polarizing figure in the hobby.
Glad he's still around.
mattthemuppet
Well-known member
Keeping up with the practice, making a height extension for the engine hoist. Getting better at reading the bead and figuring out amps and wire speed. Second pic is a cap weld - first weld was decent, but i wanted to make sure
jblnut
ALLIANCE MEMBER
A buddy purchased a cheap Amazon 3pt mover deal and go figure, it isn’t quick hitch compatible. He right away blamed John Deere for making a proprietary quick hitch lol.
I stuck a couple heavy wall pipes over the lower pins and will have to cobble something together for the top hook. He was too tight to give me $100 to build one this summer so now he’s gonna pay my shop rate to modify this $45 amazon one
I’m not sure I like the pipe sleeves yet but they were quick and it’s going on a 1025r so they shouldn’t get torn up
I stuck a couple heavy wall pipes over the lower pins and will have to cobble something together for the top hook. He was too tight to give me $100 to build one this summer so now he’s gonna pay my shop rate to modify this $45 amazon one
I’m not sure I like the pipe sleeves yet but they were quick and it’s going on a 1025r so they shouldn’t get torn up
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sqznby
Well-known member
Man what a long week haha looking forward to the holidays
I can definitely relate. But the majority of polishing I had to was all of the above accept pipeline work.
I may have posted these before, here's a couple of different pressure vessels, tested to 1200 psi yikes.
And some components to another vessel that was assembled at the other end of the facility.
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Beerhippie
Well-known member
Those are some nice welds! Machine?
What are you doing with all those brazed-plate heat exchangers at 1,200 psi?
What are you doing with all those brazed-plate heat exchangers at 1,200 psi?
larry4406
Well-known member
It's not pretty at all, but it's so much better than the previous attempt. This totally reinforced to me that there's no replacement for practice.
ez-duzit
Well-known member
Well done.
sqznby
Well-known member
Thanks guys, I appreciate it
They're for air dryers for large compressor systems. I should've also said hydrostatic testing.
Yes