Welding Tips and Tricks

Well heres another. This is my version of a harvest table. I built it to compete with a local guy doing them in all wood. Threw the bench together with some drops.

Nice job man.

Well done! I like how you controlled the warpage on the bottom square tube runners having been welded one side only.

Coldman wrote:Well done! I like how you controlled the warpage on the bottom square tube runners having been welded one side only.

Thanks for the complement but I didn't control nuthin..I knew it was gonna warp so I put levelers on it...I had the clamps on it but she moved a bit...not bad but nothing anyone will notice.

GreinTime wrote:Nice job man.

Thanks bro. Sometimes I wish I was a hi-tech guy like you and others but I sure am having fun!

Maybe so, but I've seen em go like bananas, so you did well anyway.

jeff
i really like this table!
are you smoothing the welds
or leaving showing them?
i can't tell from the pics
craig

Craig....I got fancy on this table and tig welded most of the T joints to make them flat. I also tigged the caps on but decided to grind them smooth later. I round the corners of the table top and any edges I think might snag clothing or cause a problem. These tables are great practice for out-of position tig welding but it takes too long so I am back to MIG but turn the WS down to flatten the welds. I grind them if they look bad or if I feel like it.

jeff
i like the rounded corners and the angles
on the end caps.
what wall thickness is that square tube.
craig

Craig...the tubing is 11ga. but I have decided that it is too thick for all the parts so I am going to use 14ga on non bearing areas. I have been selling these tables and benches as fast as I can make them.

jeff
agreed TIG is nice but slow and if you want to make
any money on these its like any other job.
save on the labor.
craig

jeff
where or how do you advertise them?
craig

motox wrote:jeff
where or how do you advertise them?
craig

I have them in 2 stores near me that re-sale and sell artisan wares. I literally had a table and two benches in a store for less than an hour and the owner called me and told me she needed more as they were sold. I got a custom order today$$$ Im lovin it!

jeff
thats awesome
all it takers is a good idea!
craig

jeff
check this site out
i bought end caps for the aluminum
rakes i built for my truck from these guys.
they have stuff that might work for your
tables
craig
http://www.prescottsupply.com

Thanks Craig..I see a couple items I want to try

jeff
thought you might find some
things there you might like.
le me know if they are workable

craig

motox wrote:jeff
thought you might find some
things there you might like.
le me know if they are workable

craig

Will do...I am gonna try some of those tube caps...hope they are weldable...it sure is a PITA cutting and welding in all those tube caps I make. Thanks again for the heads-up.

Just want to say, these are awesome built table and bench and congratulations for you've got customers rooting for your
designs already.