Questions, questions.....

[Alibongo]

Hi Guys,
A few weeks ago I decided to treat myself to a mig welder as I wanted to 'try something new'
I'd never even seen one before this!
I know that I will have loads of questions as I get going so I thought i'd say 'hi' :-)
I've started the transformation of my 'i'll shove it out there in case i need it' garage into a workshop & had a go under the supervision of a great bloke who has been welding truck bases for years.
I dream of being able to come up with stunning objects like those from Chunkolini & Strada but here are my first!
My first question........I want to make something bike related but I have no idea how to make circles for wheels so is there something I could use that anyone can point me in the direction of please??

 

[cumbriasteve]

Welcome:

re the circles, do you mean bending flat bar to form a circle, if so one of the easiest ways is to draw the circle out so you have the curve to follow then simply bend the bar a little bit every 25mm or so, eventually you will form a curve and it can be tightened by extra bending if required, the closer the bends the better the curve.

Many people weld 2 heavy bolts to a bit of angle with a gap between the same as the bar then work it through gradually applying pressure.

You could make a plywood former and bend round that also.

It all depends how workable (thick) the bar is but up to 3mm or 4mm is manageable by those methods

 

[strada]

welcome alibongo
Dito what cumbriasteve has said Reguarding bending , I don't have any bending or rolling machines myself and just use my big vice and a hammer,lol
Loving the cat by the way

 

[Spot the welders dog]

Another 'thumbs up' for the kitty....Although a bit cheeky using a wozzaah as inspiration for the second!

 

[Alibongo]

Thanks for the advice - I will try the vice & hammer technique along with a template as it sounds interesting.
I'd like to get some bending stuff at some point but don't even know where to begin.......Plasma cutter is also on my wish list.....one day!
I have no idea what a 'wozzaah' is Spot? :-)

 

[cumbriasteve]

Thanks for the advice - .
I'd like to get some bending stuff at some point but don't even know where to beginon my wish list.....one day!

Well you won't go far wrong with Metalcraft tooling, it's expensive stuff but well respected as top quality and will do exactly what it advertises.
Do a forum search for metalcraft.

 

[Spot the welders dog]

I have no idea what a 'wozzaah' is

Ah! There be tales told of a creation that roams freely on internet forums that will visit you in dead of night or early morn, and without hinderer extract your written word for their own devilish enjoyment and those of a likened mind. You may of a time hear the faint 'putf purf of a Renault 4 as he comes a calling with his master at the helm....They call themselves::::::::::::::THE MODERATORS:::::::::::: AAArrrr

Sorry Alibongo - two posts in and you have me in your thread minimal sleep in the last three days is starting to have an affect on me I do believe

With regards to bending/folding: There are a few variations, but 'tonyBMW' displayed a simple diy version that you could size to your requirements from angle iron.
Perhaps make a few 'stakes' with legs for the vice from various sized tubes/angle/box, whatever shapes you find most pleasing.

You'll prob best taking advice from those that do _Me I just vaporize rusty cars, but whatever you choose I do believe you are now hooked!

 

[strada]

Ah! There be tales told of a creation that roams freely on internet forums that will visit you in dead of night or early morn, and without hinderer extract your written word for their own devilish enjoyment and those of a likened mind. You may of a time hear the faint 'putf purf of a Renault 4 as he comes a calling with his master at the helm....They call themselves::::::::::::::THE MODERATORS:::::::::::: AAArrrr

For some strange reason i read the above in a pirate voice,lol

 

[Alibongo]

Glad it wasn't just me reading in a Pirate voice there!!
Thanks for all advice so far - please bear with me......my knowledge on all this is roundabout zero & I'm a girl so its a bit alien!
I'm now going to spend a Saturday night in my garage, dressed in overalls & mask........Hooked??........Probably! :-)

 

[strada]

what are you planning to make ?

 

[chunkolini]

Looks like a good start they both have a feel of life and loo original. I like the spiky hair.
Wheels? in round bar say 8mm get a tube of the inner diameter you are after. Fix it upright in a vice, drill a hole same size as the bar , push the bar in then walk around the tube holding the bar and it will form a coil. You can do this to a degree with flat strip.
try to use hot rolled bar it is easier to bend than the bright finish.
or make one of these.
I have a series of tubes that slide over other to make rings up to about 100mm diameter

 

[Alibongo]

what are you planning to make ?

Strada, I made this! :-)

 

[Alibongo]

I'll give that a go Chunkolini - your set up looks impressive but I'll start with the vice idea as I have one of those. I'll let you know how I get on.... Thanks!

 

[cumbriasteve]

Strada, I made this! :-)

I think you will do well in the artistic metalwork, even though your 3 examples are simple little projects they have that 'something' about them, especially the cat and giraffe.

It will be interesting to see what you are producing in the future.

 

[strada]

I like it, have you seen the giraffe chunkilini made ?
keep it up

It will be interesting to see what you are producing in the future

couldn't agree more

 

[chunkolini]

Looks like another regular to the arty corner.

 

[Wolfgang]

I think you have an eye for it. Cool little firsts. I like the scared-cat!

 

[Wozzaaah]

Another 'thumbs up' for the kitty....Although a bit cheeky using a wozzaah as inspiration for the second!

Ha, it's got my hair from back in the early 80s!

 

[Alister]

I like the giraffe. BTW being a girl is no excuse! You're already doing way cooler stuff than most of us.

 

[normspanners]

Why not go to a nut and bolt stockist and ask for very large steel washers for your bike wheels? you can get around 75mm id