90 degrees

[jymford]

Afternoon, folks

Have any of you had any experience MIG welding 3mm steel box section at 90 degrees? Ideally I want something to hold sections together at 90 degrees to make table frames. I need a gadget that's quick to use and that will free up my hands. A set square won't be ideal. Any thoughts on the following...

 

[cumbriasteve]

Personally I would not use a magnetic device, I always found I spent more time cleaning them or they were either too weak or too strong and difficult to micro adjust.

I always preferred a quality clamp type holder.

 

[jymford]

Personally I would not use a magnetic device, I always found I spent more time cleaning them or they were either too weak or too strong and difficult to micro adjust.

I always preferred a quality clamp type holder.

I had a play with the larger of the red magnetic clamps last night in a shop (in a clean environment!). The holding power wasn't too good. However, the type with the switch are meant to be very powerful but if there's contamination on them it can put the right angle out. I'll do some more research into the non-magnetic clamp type.

 

[Paul.]

Here's how I do it.
https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/stainless-tables.73668/#post-1005876

 

[jymford]

Here's how I do it.
https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/stainless-tables.73668/#post-1005876

Cheers, Paul. Beautiful work there - you should be very proud of those tables. Really neat ideas and appreciated. That's saved me a lot of searching on the forums

 

[jymford]

Here's how I do it.
https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/stainless-tables.73668/#post-1005876

Paul, what was the reason behind making the base smaller than the top? Thanks

 

[Paul.]

Paul, what was the reason behind making the base smaller than the top? Thanks

Artistic licence, anyone can make a table with a leg on each corner, sometimes I try to do things slightly differently.

 

[Hitch]

Artistic licence, anyone can make a table with a leg on each corner, sometimes I try to do things slightly differently.

I disagree



If its just steel, and your mig welding, i'd be inclined to make the rectangular frame up, then add the legs. Just tack one corner, offer up a square, tack the side, square up the other way, then tack the remaining corners. If youve a load to do, a jig is worth making, but id be inclined not to bother for a one off.
Once you've done it a few times it becomes easier.

 

[Tom O]

I have the top clamping unit and have never complained.

 

[cumbriasteve]

I had a play with the larger of the red magnetic clamps last night in a shop (in a clean environment!). The holding power wasn't too good.

I bought one of the Lidl magnetic clamps, it attached itself to my guillotine 6 months ago and is still there.

They are seriously strong and very difficult to use.

 

[Paul.]

I disagree

I'm assuming its the "anyone can make a table with a leg on each corner" that you disagree with, in which case I agree with your disagreement, seen plenty of frames and tables made by so called fabricators that could benefit from having a book under one of the legs.

 

[R-D-R]

I sometimes use the magnetic squares for setup but as others have said they can be a pain to keep clean (air gun works best). Few pics of how i setup and hold Box section in this thread:

https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/patio-furniture-build.82528/#post-1175006

I tend to square it all up and clamp it direct to the table for tacking. I have some of those corner clamps, they work but it's a bit fiddly and slow for me and you have to ensure you have something to keep it level at the other end - i prefer the metal flat on the table for earthing.

 

[s410man]

I have something similar to paul but i made 2 of them then tacked welded them together at 90 degrees so theyre freestanding and it gets it upright in both directions

One of the simplest things ive made but saves a lot of time!

 

[s410man]

Simple but works!

I usually just hold it by hand tbh and put a few tacks on the upright but it could be all clamped up if needed

 

[moggie1947]

Just about to use a magnetic 6 sided device to hold sheet metal sections together for mig welding. Does the magnetic field affect the quality of the weld?

 

[Morrisman]

Just about to use a magnetic 6 sided device to hold sheet metal sections together for mig welding. Does the magnetic field affect the quality of the weld?

Oh yes, makes the arc splatter and spitter all over, if you get too close to the magnet.

 

[moggie1947]

Thanks..not just me then?

 

[tom2207]

Paul, what was the reason behind making the base smaller than the top? Thanks

Also lets you butt the tops together ,,

 

[bigegg]

I use a cast iron "box table": space off with some 6mm plate to avoid damaging the machined faces

 

[SierraV6]

When I made our gates I used one of these but the 300mm version which appears to be out of stock:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/The-ORIG...m-laser-cut-and-precision-folded/152885624822

I clamped the box section to it with g clamps. It worked well, maybe not the quickest way but if you don’t have too many joints to make its fine .