The first time I've had a go at arc welding in 24years (the last time was for a few days as an apprentice, and I got a low mark).
I found some interesting bits of scrap at work, and thought they had to be turned into a bbq. So I hired a Sealey Arcwelder180, and the results are below.
I did some practise runs, and obviously would have liked to do more, but time and the weather was not on my side, so I had to crack on.
The first few are fairly self explanatory but are just examples of the practises:
Stainless weld:
Now came the job of welding together some car wheels, which would act as the base for the bbq:
A few blow holes that I've not photographed were an issue (one could be described as "spectacular"), but eventually, I also got the stainless tank on top:
It really was a learning curve, as I'd never welded stainless, let alone to mild steel.
The current stage is:
The tank was flame cut from a vessel, which means that the edge is still very rough. This means that the positioning of the U-bolts was tricky, as getting them in a practical position depended on the state of the cut in that area.
One of the problems I had was setting the ampage, as there was no indication on the front of the box how to see this, so I had to use good old trial and error (more error!). It was only when I got the thing back to the shop that I found out there was an indicator on the top of the box (this was covered in muck, so I didn't realise it had a use).... duh! Also I couldn't find a manual online.
I still need to get a stainless disk to stick on the bottom to prevent the bottom wheel from rusting away, and then I'll tidy it up and paint it.
The bar across the front is from a fire hose rack which I cut up, and is for hanging bbq utensils. I hope to find some sheets of some steel with holes in to put in the bottom (my own welding my do that!)
The valves in the wheels all line up, but this is pure fluke! I didn't even try to do this.
The grill has been bought, as it is just the right size, and has flaps for putting more charcoal in. Its like it was meant to be.
When I welded the last bit on, I had some spare sticks, so I did some more pratcising, where my welds seem to really improve... just too late.
When I get an arc welding box in again to do the base, I might grind up some bits and re-do them. Any comments for improvement welcome of course.
I found some interesting bits of scrap at work, and thought they had to be turned into a bbq. So I hired a Sealey Arcwelder180, and the results are below.
I did some practise runs, and obviously would have liked to do more, but time and the weather was not on my side, so I had to crack on.
The first few are fairly self explanatory but are just examples of the practises:
Stainless weld:
Now came the job of welding together some car wheels, which would act as the base for the bbq:
A few blow holes that I've not photographed were an issue (one could be described as "spectacular"), but eventually, I also got the stainless tank on top:
It really was a learning curve, as I'd never welded stainless, let alone to mild steel.
The current stage is:
The tank was flame cut from a vessel, which means that the edge is still very rough. This means that the positioning of the U-bolts was tricky, as getting them in a practical position depended on the state of the cut in that area.
One of the problems I had was setting the ampage, as there was no indication on the front of the box how to see this, so I had to use good old trial and error (more error!). It was only when I got the thing back to the shop that I found out there was an indicator on the top of the box (this was covered in muck, so I didn't realise it had a use).... duh! Also I couldn't find a manual online.
I still need to get a stainless disk to stick on the bottom to prevent the bottom wheel from rusting away, and then I'll tidy it up and paint it.
The bar across the front is from a fire hose rack which I cut up, and is for hanging bbq utensils. I hope to find some sheets of some steel with holes in to put in the bottom (my own welding my do that!)
The valves in the wheels all line up, but this is pure fluke! I didn't even try to do this.
The grill has been bought, as it is just the right size, and has flaps for putting more charcoal in. Its like it was meant to be.
When I welded the last bit on, I had some spare sticks, so I did some more pratcising, where my welds seem to really improve... just too late.
When I get an arc welding box in again to do the base, I might grind up some bits and re-do them. Any comments for improvement welcome of course.
