Show us your welding projects

[zmotorsports]

Got a long long delayed project off the list. I bought a Wilton 4.5” vise from auction a while ago and got some reason it was missing the guide plate inside the base. I have a feeling the base isn’t original so maybe that was why.

Anyway, find a bit of scrap about the right size, turned it more or less flat and drilled a hole in it. Turned a plug and welded that in, then tried to turn the plate down to size. This is when I discovered I had used a piece of stainless plate, doh!

Fought with that for a while, drilled a couple of holes for the bolts, then decided to make a couple of new bolts as the current ones were bent

Used a grinder (mill is not working yet, summer project) to thin the plate so the clamps would work, then did a test fit to measure how long the new nuts needed to be.

Made a couple of washers out of brass and two nuts out of hex bar and it’s all finished. Doesn’t look as bad as it did before and the vise is finally solid as a rock

Nice job on the vise repair and getting rid of those awful sliding T-bar style fasteners. I despise those hideous things. I welded a nut to my vise adjusting nuts about 25+ years ago and never have to deal those again.

 

[mattthemuppet]

Thanks, I hated them with a passion too. Pretty sure I got the idea off someone on here

 

[Beerhippie]

Nice job on the vise repair and getting rid of those awful sliding T-bar style fasteners. I despise those hideous things. I welded a nut to my vise adjusting nuts about 25+ years ago and never have to deal those again.

Next mod for my daily-driver vise--thanks!

 

[Ultradog MN]

I got rid of the swivel base.
It's stashed in a cabinet somewhere.
Bolted my vise directly to the stand.
I never swiveled it anyway.

 

[kaymccampbell]

I got rid of the swivel base.
It's stashed in a cabinet somewhere.
Bolted my vise directly to the stand.
I never swiveled it anyway.

I don't know how I'd live without the swivel base on mine. I rarely use it in the locked and upright position.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Cut off the experimental rock roll from the dogeater. It pulled in more rocks. Chopped off the old skids, too. Welded up and installed new longer, higher skids. Maybe this'll reduce its hunger for driveway rocks.

 

[lolaetype]

I welded a nut to my vise adjusting nuts about 25+ years ago and never have to deal those again.

Great idea. I also despise the "T" handles.

EDIT: I just went out and looked at the the "T" handles on mine. I can replace them with M10-1.5 bolts about 1-3/4" long and a couple of washers under each head.

 

[Firebrick43]

Cut off the experimental rock roll from the dogeater. It pulled in more rocks. Chopped off the old skids, too. Welded up and installed new longer, higher skids. Maybe this'll reduce its hunger for driveway rocks.

That’s a good idea.

The MA115 could catch a rock just right in the dog eater auger and break the bevel gear in the gearbox. It happened to mine. Luckily I had someone give me a second one the summer before.

If you need a part I still have the old one and could send them your way

 

[Beelzeboss]

I'm pretty rusty with the TIG, but these turbo manifolds are coming up alright.

 

[iagsxr]

I'm pretty rusty with the TIG, but these turbo manifolds are coming up alright.

Whatcha building there?

 

[Beelzeboss]

Whatcha building there?

It's a 1946 Ford chassis with 1991 Toyota Soarer mechanicals grafted onto it, then a custom made Willys Jeep body on top.

You can follow along on my garage thread, if you'd like: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/cncs-and-hot-rods-a-sydney-garage.486817/

 

[PowerWagonBuilder]

Going to be helping a friend expand his vineyard this weekend by pushing in over 1,000 metal trellis posts. I could use the bucket heel but decided to throw together an Xchange adapter that can later get turned into something else, or just stay as is in case I end up helping with any other fence projects in the region. Two evenings of tinkering after work. Didn't fully weld the cup on in case I do salvage this for a different attachment later down the road. Made of 5/8" A36, some 3/8" A50 HRPO, and a piece of 4x4x1/4" box. All done in the garage shop here. Ohh, the pin bushings were from some 1.75"x3/8" 1026 DOM. Millermatic 255 that was almost out of gas, so I was working sparingly to get this done as I can't get to the LWS till next week.

 

[PowerWagonBuilder]

^ Worked like a charm pushing in all of these metal posts.

 

[86turbodsl]

Excavator? Nice idea!

 

[PowerWagonBuilder]

Excavator? Nice idea!

Aye,
I turned 40 and this was my "midlife crisis" buy. Some people buy fast cars, but I figured this was more useful and fun in its own way.

2024 Bobcat E48, Long Arm, Extra Counterweight, Angle Blade, Deluxe Package Closed ROPS w/ every option except for the backup camera and extra PTO leads (I can buy and install / build both cheaper than they were with the package). Bought an 18" tooth bucket from Bobcat as my template and have been building all of my own attachments otherwise. This is just a "toy" for property maintenance. Have friends with other equipment and land so we just go around to each other's places and play pretend construction like a bunch of kids in a sandbox.



10" wide waterline trench bucket with depth indicators that are easy to see from the swing boom side.

42" x 42" brush rake with AR400 tine teeth, hardfaced in.




36" grading bucket that I am building a hydraulic tilt coupler for at the moment.


Stump / rock / whatever is in the way - ripper. Has replaceable AR blades front and back for cutting roots, or whatever. I actually used it this weekend to cut some 1" wide banding straps on a bundle of timber fence posts because the snips that were on site weren't doing much. One quick swipe and that thing walked through that banding. I've probably pulled close to 300 stumps with this thing since I built it last July. It will pull pines and cedars under 10" in a single grab. Oaks and maples are a little more trouble. Also, the tap root on a Sugar Gum is amazingly long around here. Yanked out 20 plus large Trees of Heaven just a few weekends ago.

 

[Old Man Roger]

Going to be helping a friend expand his vineyard this weekend by pushing in over 1,000 metal trellis posts. I could use the bucket heel but decided to throw together an Xchange adapter that can later get turned into something else, or just stay as is in case I end up helping with any other fence projects in the region. Two evenings of tinkering after work. Didn't fully weld the cup on in case I do salvage this for a different attachment later down the road. Made of 5/8" A36, some 3/8" A50 HRPO, and a piece of 4x4x1/4" box. All done in the garage shop here. Ohh, the pin bushings were from some 1.75"x3/8" 1026 DOM. Millermatic 255 that was almost out of gas, so I was working sparingly to get this done as I can't get to the LWS till next week.

Way over kill, I love it.

 

[stinkity stoink]

Aye,
I turned 40 and this was my "midlife crisis" buy. Some people buy fast cars, but I figured this was more useful and fun in its own way.

2024 Bobcat E48, Long Arm, Extra Counterweight, Angle Blade, Deluxe Package Closed ROPS w/ every option except for the backup camera and extra PTO leads (I can buy and install / build both cheaper than they were with the package). Bought an 18" tooth bucket from Bobcat as my template and have been building all of my own attachments otherwise. This is just a "toy" for property maintenance. Have friends with other equipment and land so we just go around to each other's places and play pretend construction like a bunch of kids in a sandbox.



10" wide waterline trench bucket with depth indicators that are easy to see from the swing boom side.

42" x 42" brush rake with AR400 tine teeth, hardfaced in.




36" grading bucket that I am building a hydraulic tilt coupler for at the moment.


Stump / rock / whatever is in the way - ripper. Has replaceable AR blades front and back for cutting roots, or whatever. I actually used it this weekend to cut some 1" wide banding straps on a bundle of timber fence posts because the snips that were on site weren't doing much. One quick swipe and that thing walked through that banding. I've probably pulled close to 300 stumps with this thing since I built it last July. It will pull pines and cedars under 10" in a single grab. Oaks and maples are a little more trouble. Also, the tap root on a Sugar Gum is amazingly long around here. Yanked out 20 plus large Trees of Heaven just a few weekends ago.

That last picture looks like something that might be used in a saw horror movie. Nice job on those attachments!!

 

[kaymccampbell]

Welded the shelf ring to the legs of the cheapie fixture table. Got 4 more inches of vertical space, and the ring no longer jumps out of the stupid little slots.

 

[XJSuperman]

Latest project finished:

 

[aka Larry]

Here's a quick couple of pics from my drop axle project on my kayak trailer. I got the laser-cut brackets (1/4" plate) welded to the center tube section (2"x2"x1/4") last night. I need to do a little clean-up tonight an get it painted. I should have it all buttoned up and ready for use by the weekend.

 

[Beerhippie]

I had a big project today:



We have outdoor seating areas with shade tarps over them. The stress of the tarps pulling on the eyes of the eye bolts that support them has opened the eyes, causing it all to come loose in a good blow. I don't think these eyes will pull open.

I removed the galvanizing with phos acid, which not only keeps me healthier (even 'though I did the welding outside), but will allow the bolts to rust some and match the old well casing that serves as poles.

I have another dozen to go.

 

[Beerhippie]

Here's where the welded-eye eye bolts are going:



That's looking NNE. Our strong winds come from the SSW--right behind my back. There's lot of sail aloft there.

It does this:



To the unwelded eye bolts. Now to figure out how to replace the bolts without having to re-rig the whole shebang.

 

[Gutman]

Now to figure out how to replace the bolts without having to re-rig the whole shebang.

Ratchet straps are your friend.

 

[Beerhippie]

Ratchet straps are your friend.

That's the plan. That and the fact that the bolts are over-long, so I can engage them with less tension on them, then tighten using the nut.

Tomorrow. I have some more lawn to mow and some beer to drink.

 

[kyrbz]

Here's where the welded-eye eye bolts are going:



That's looking NNE. Our strong winds come from the SSW--right behind my back. There's lot of sail aloft there.

It does this:



To the unwelded eye bolts. Now to figure out how to replace the bolts without having to re-rig the whole shebang.

I did a similar project last year. A "cable grip" and a "ratcheting cable puller" sure made life a lot easier. You could use a cable grip to hold your cable while you're replacing the eyebolt. A cable grip is around $20.

 

[Beerhippie]

I did a similar project last year. A "cable grip" and a "ratcheting cable puller" sure made life a lot easier. You could use a cable grip to hold your cable while you're replacing the eyebolt. A cable grip is around $20.

With several cables anchored to each eye, I think the ratchet strap will be easier as I can catch them all at once.

But we all know how plans work out on first contact with the job....

Last time I had to modify something in that system, I used a come-along--what you call a "ratcheting cable puller"--and managed to get it stuck to the point I had to cut stuff away to get it out.

 

[Beerhippie]

Project complete!

I didn't end up having room to use a ratchet strap--not even a small one, so it was rope skills to the rescue:





One scrawny old hippie got 'er done. Having the extra threads on the eye bolts was a real help. After everything was rigged, I tightened the bolt down snug and took up any remaining slack. I had all four of this set done in an hour.

Now to wait 'til the next good blow... which might be today.

 

[stinkity stoink]

Got back in my garage working on my fender project. I shaped two more pieces and finally got the chance to weld one in today and finish it (still a little wavy though).
The newly shaped piece and getting ready to scribe and cut.
I put a copper strip in between the old fender and new so when I tack weld the pieces I don’t weld the new and old together.


all done and this distortion still scares me. Good thing this is practice. It was tig welded in one pass.


Grinding and planishing and I was able to correct the distortion.

 

[kyrbz]

Off to the powder coater

I might have to move this project over to the woodworking thread, but I got my frames back from the powder coater awhile back and have started working on the wood and fabric parts. The drawer boxes are made of pre-finished birch and melamine. The drawer fronts are baltic birch veneered in walnut (scrap I drug home from my old day gig). One if the units is for hiding a slightly 80's looking sub woofer. The front panel of that unit is covered with a vintage "Marshall" style speaker cloth. Still a lot of parts to make to complete this project, but I thought some might like seeing how the wood parts integrate with the steel frames.

 

[zak77]

Since i mainly use my push mower for tight areas the lawn tractor cant reach it was getting old constantly lifting the front wheels so i thought a mower with swivel wheels would help. I looked online for a kit i might be able to make work but they were either a POS or expensive. So i figured i'd make my own. After looking in the cutoff pile i found all i needed. I'm just waiting on bushings.

All done!

 

[harley jim]

Bought a Mule, it had some sloppy linkage.

I had a new hyme joint, I put a fine thread bolt into the hyme joint and cut off the head.
little bit of welding and clean up.

 

[aka Larry]

Update on my drop axle project for my kayak trailer from this weekend.

Got the springs bolted to the axle tube and rolled under the trailer via a couple of HF moving dollies:




Springs attached to the trailer frame and the new JK hubs bolted in place:






As suggested by a fellow GJ member, I made my own redneck version of a castle nut via the grinder:






Wheels mounted and it's ready to roll:









A buddy of mine runs a large local roofing business and said he could build me a set of fenders. I sent him a flat layout drawing so he could have one of his guys bend the sheet metal for the fenders. I'll add pair of struts to hold those when I get 'em. Stay tuned...

 

[larry4406]

Update on my drop axle project for my kayak trailer from this weekend.

Got the springs bolted to the axle tube and rolled under the trailer via a couple of HF moving dollies:




Springs attached to the trailer frame and the new JK hubs bolted in place:






As suggested by a fellow GJ member, I made my own redneck version of a castle nut via the grinder:






Wheels mounted and it's ready to roll:









A buddy of mine runs a large local roofing business and said he could build me a set of fenders. I sent him a flat layout drawing so he could have one of his guys bend the sheet metal for the fenders. I'll add pair of struts to hold those when I get 'em. Stay tuned...

I have seen these used as fenders on trucks and trailers...


Wasn't there some recent joke about having obnoxious lights on a boat trailer?

 

[kaymccampbell]

I have seen these used as fenders on trucks and trailers...


Wasn't there some recent joke about having obnoxious lights on a boat trailer?

The trailer that came with my boat has those for fenders.

 

[PugetDude]

I have seen these used as fenders on trucks and trailers...


Wasn't there some recent joke about having obnoxious lights on a boat trailer?

Strobe lights on a Kayak trailer. Now required in all 50 states and the Western Provinces.

 

[VR6ix]

One if the units is for hiding a slightly 80's looking sub woofer. The front panel of that unit is covered with a vintage "Marshall" style speaker cloth.

The tweed fabric looks mint! You should add a custom logo in one corner and really make it look like an amp

 

[kaymccampbell]

Welded the smoker to a hand truck for easy transport from its storage under the deck.

 

[PowerWagonBuilder]

Steering damper bracket for the old Dodge truck. As much as I didn't want the look of one on the truck, the feedback fatigue from the crossover steering setup and how tight everything is made me go ahead and give it a shot. I was limited on clearance at the front axle cover so this was my solution. Some 1/4" plate, 3/8" U-bolts, a piece of drilled and tapped 5/8" round stock, and a half slice of 2" x 0.250" DOM (Tie Rod is 1.5" OD).

 

[ObnoxiousFumes]

Steering damper bracket for the old Dodge truck. As much as I didn't want the look of one on the truck, the feedback fatigue from the crossover steering setup and how tight everything is made me go ahead and give it a shot. I was limited on clearance at the front axle cover so this was my solution. Some 1/4" plate, 3/8" U-bolts, a piece of drilled and tapped 5/8" round stock, and a half slice of 2" x 0.250" DOM (Tie Rod is 1.5" OD).

I’m saving those pics as I still need to make one of those for the T style tie rods on my ‘96

 

[cpttuna]

fabricated this stainless steel soda can crusher awhile back, but never took any pictures. It took 4 trips to the local scrap metal yard to get the materials. The plans came off the internet.