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cheebaTHEamoeba t1_j0wv87b wrote

Someone will be along shortly to crap on the thin metal and stitchwelds. You ignore this and stack that wood. Its nice. I like it.

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richriggins OP t1_j0wz0y0 wrote

It ain't goin to space. Thanks friend!

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Spartacus777 t1_j0x7gk7 wrote

This makes me want to learn to weld. Nice job!

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NuclearWasteland t1_j0x8bnf wrote

welding is fun, but annoying to set up and do casually. For similar fun that also comes with toxic fumes, try stain glass lead work or plastic welding. All of these are basically just melting like materials together. it's mostly just different heat sources and materials.

Plastic welding is remarkably fun and can be done with a soldering or wood burning iron. Lots of plastics can be had for free if you learn the plastic names and materials usually printed somewhere on most plastic objects for recycling purposes.

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BloobityBloobity t1_j0y0jic wrote

> annoying to set up and do casually

I disagree. I was gifted a very compact stick welder this spring. I think it cost maybe $80 on Amazon and it plugs into a 110V outlet. Welding rods are cheap as hell, and using 6013s doesn't require much metal prep. It's been indescribably handy and takes less than a minute to set up.

I wouldn't be so quick to discourage someone from trying it. Stick welding is the best way to learn and extremely simple.

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[deleted] t1_j0y5u7q wrote

Professional metalworker here: 1000% this! A stick welder is the simplest thing. No movíng parts, low barrier to entry.

A hobbyist should keep the following rod on hand: 6011: Deeply penetrating, high tolerance for rust/paint/etc. 6013: Great for sheet metal! Anything 14ga and under. 7014: Nice bead appearance, simple to use "drag rod", better shelf life and easier arc starts than 7018.

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Lampshader t1_j0yhnr4 wrote

The annoying part is setting up a work space with ventilation, screens, no flammable materials, etc.

It's quite a bit more involved than, say, drilling a hole or using a hot glue gun.

But yeah, if you have the suitable garage space, it's not rocket science!

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NuclearWasteland t1_j12dur1 wrote

This is the "annoying" part I was referring to. Eventually I'd like to have a space just for welding, grinding, anything that will spark, all of it ventilated and away from explody stuff. That's a luxury for me, and an impossibility for many people so yeah, stick is simple, and a GREAT way to learn, but to be safe about it there's other steps involved, and with it raining most of the year and the stuff that sparks would damage in the limited indoor space, it's a hassle and checking the weather report for a good portion of the year. Summer, yeah, that's easy, just keep it away from the grass and hydrate, every other part of the year, pain in the bits.

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richriggins OP t1_j0xav4q wrote

Do it! You can get started for about $300

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c1e2477816dee6b5c882 t1_j0ywdrx wrote

The metal itself is so expensive!

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Tableau t1_j0z8rdt wrote

If you buy it at the hardware store. They mark that shit up crazy high. If you go to an actual metal supplier it’s much more reasonable

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reddof t1_j0zwtks wrote

This is incredibly important, but so easy for hobbyists to overlook. I had been buying metal at hardware stores and online for a while (I wasn't using much thankfully). I wanted to build a nicer welding table and needed thicker metal than I could find at usual sources. I tracked down an metal supplier locally. They cut some of the pieces to size for me and then helped load the plate into my truck. I went to pay and was bracing myself for the total. It was about 1/5 of what I was expecting. I was amazed at how much I had been overpaying. They get all my business now.

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Flimsy-Statistician3 t1_j0zizhq wrote

My dad also made a forge for relatively cheap. From there collecting scrap metal that people throw away or that you salvage from broken things becomes a hobby in and of it’s self.

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outflow t1_j0z15wr wrote

You got that right. I have many welding projects I want to get started on but I might as well just make it out of pure silver or gold, the way steel prices are lately!

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fkn51 t1_j1eivg9 wrote

You can generally find mostly free scrap metal from farmers or even check with scrap yards

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FactoryBuilder t1_j0yen5v wrote

That cheap? I know how to weld, took a class in high school, but didn’t realize the equipment was so cheap

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reddof t1_j0zx49w wrote

There are some exceptionally good hobbyist grade welders available for dirt cheap.

4

nagi603 t1_j10suxi wrote

Check on youtube for videos cheap kits. Prices have plummeted quite a lot contrary to popular belief, and the cheap ones are not all bad, not by a long shot.

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randomvictum t1_j0xxknt wrote

Did you get your machine for $300? I've debated getting into this and would be open to suggestions.

5

marsrover001 t1_j0yt91c wrote

Harbor freight, get the $150 flux core wire feed welder. $80 auto darkening helmet (the one that comes with the welder is garbage) $22 spool of flux core wire. $8 gloves. $free some old long sleeved shirt.

Have at it. Yeah your welds aren't gonna look great. But by the 2nd spool you should have the hang of it.

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captain_carrot t1_j0yy0n5 wrote

I'd recommend getting an actual welding jacket with a protective snap collar and made out of actual fire resistant material. I think I got mine off Amazon for like $20, it doesn't need to be anything fancybut after the first couple hot pieces of slag got down my collar I learned my lesson lol

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randomvictum t1_j19c5go wrote

I had been looking at a Forney MIG welder for about $300 but yeah that Harbour Freight is hard to beat. You have and use that exact machine?

1

marsrover001 t1_j19p1j0 wrote

I do. Still have yet to upgrade as despite some spatter it still handles fine. Gone all the way to 1/4in and still got acceptable strong welds.

I'm about to do some frame rails and I don't think I'll get enough penetration, so I'll be borrowing the neighbors stick welder that runs on 220v. But other than that I've not needed anything different.

Grinder and paint, hides it fine.

2

rewardsthroway t1_j0xtuow wrote

I have a dumb question because I don't weld. If the stitch welds are so close together why not just do the full way across in the first place? Is it a difficulty thing, expensive, or something else I'm not thinking of? I'd just like to understand is all.

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rdmille t1_j0xul41 wrote

To do it all the way across, you do it in one pass, and the metal gets really hot and warps as you weld (unless you are very good at welding). The best way around it is to do a short weld, move to a different area far away, do a short weld, move, do a short weld...

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Shovelfuckurforehead t1_j0xxvfh wrote

I mean, the best way around it is to just Tig weld it and you can move around from spot to spot and nothing gets to hot. If you did want to weld it all in one go, just do your proper tack welds and then clamp everything down so it doesn't move. U/rewardsthroway

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[deleted] t1_j0xv5xe wrote

[deleted]

−5

richriggins OP t1_j0xwjz6 wrote

Well, the reason they gave isn't the reason I had. Warping wasn't a concern as these are big pieces of 1/8" steel. Time and effort were the bigger concerns.

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[deleted] t1_j0xyhpd wrote

[deleted]

−43

N_Inquisitive t1_j0ysti1 wrote

They weren't responding to you at all there. You're also not owed an answer.

Try not being rude, and try looking things up. You would do well to save your comments and think before you post.

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richriggins OP t1_j0xuci9 wrote

There outside of each joint is welded fully. The inside has a handful of long stitch welds. Reason: see above, not going to space.

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object109 t1_j0y95zh wrote

All the answers you got so far are correct but another reason is that welds are strong, a proper weld is stronger than the material around it. Most stuff doesn’t need all seems welded.

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slugo17 t1_j0xs8pt wrote

A grinder and paint make me the welder I ain't!

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[deleted] t1_j0y5ehi wrote

Looks great! I did a compost tumbler this same style and I kinda want a rack like this now.

What gauge is it? Looks to be like 14 or 16? Bet it will last ya a lifetime. Good work!

3

HolycommentMattman t1_j0xz3b5 wrote

Sorry, I'm late! I was watching the worst movie I've ever seen.

It's not bad at all for a first project. Though, I do think it could use a coat of paint or something. The stark color of sheet metal just screams "unfinished project."

18

hidemeplease t1_j0ym16l wrote

that, and having sheets layered together like that is just asking for rust

7

JohnnySmithe80 t1_j0zyfd5 wrote

I'll just put it together now and paint it next week when I have time...

...

...

...

...

That project I built 3 years ago is looking a bit rough, I need to replace it.

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richriggins OP t1_j0zu8iv wrote

Wife did not want it painted. Wanted "rustic". We will see how it does through the winter. Will paint it next year if need be.

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GoldVader t1_j10isix wrote

Let it get a nice natural patina, then clear coat it, that way you will end up with a rustic look that will also last.

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Max_Thunder t1_j10s0p8 wrote

> I was watching the worst movie I've ever seen.

Come on, tell us

2

HolycommentMattman t1_j10tm7q wrote

Amsterdam.

Has Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, Zoe Saldana, Rami Malek, Anya Taylor Joy, Robert Deniro, Chris Rock, Taylor Swift, Mike Myers, and Michael Shannon.

Such a star-studded cast. It's unbelievable how bad it is. And it's not like some "so bad it's good" sort of movie. It's really just bad. Like so so bad. Don't watch it. I'm afraid that by telling you this, it makes you want to watch it. Do not waste the 2 hours of your life.

Go read some reddit reviews of it. Don't watch it.

3

Enginerdad t1_j10t3wx wrote

I am going to comment on the stitch welds, but not because they're low quality or lazy or anything like that. I'm a bridge engineer, so I tend to have an eye for corrosion-susceptible details. With the stitch weld as it is, water can get in between the joints between the welds which can lead to accelerated pack rust. Going to a continuous weld will keep water out of those areas that trap and likely improve the life of the structure.

3

TemporaryLingo t1_j10r3ft wrote

My first thought was that my wife would love the aesthetic and the shape is so practical for weather. Everyone wins.

1

JoanOfArctic t1_j0xblwl wrote

>"I bet I can make that for... at least twice the price"

As someone who DIYs a lot of things because they just don't exist the way I want them.... Yes 😭

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dadbodsupreme t1_j0yhanz wrote

I originally picked up a welder for the home shop for this reason. Sometimes you need a space to be filled in the exact way it needs to be filled.

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believe2000 t1_j0wwc2d wrote

Hexagons are bestagons.

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Gfgd420 t1_j0ycozq wrote

Thanks, now the rest of my night is going to be filled rewatching CGP Grey videos.

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Takpusseh-yamp t1_j0wzyy0 wrote

This will just attract beevers.

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ihugfaces t1_j0x1nyk wrote

If you’re in the lower 48 please give some more clearance between the ground and the bottom of your awesome rack because, you know, termites.

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TheRealRacketear t1_j0x9xrc wrote

I'm in Seattle and as long as the wood isn't rotten the Termites will leave it alone.

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FireITGuy t1_j0xwc5e wrote

Speak for yourselves. They get into ours even when it's up off the ground and green. We're <50 miles away.

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Averiella t1_j0yceeh wrote

I’m over in Renton and… it never even occurred to me that we’d get termites in our wood. I feel it’s just as likely to happen as getting termites in your house, which we’ve never had.

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muckpucker t1_j0wzyjz wrote

Looks cool AF.

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richriggins OP t1_j0x0knm wrote

Thank you! I originally wanted to just build a regular timber framed lean to wood shed, but my partner encouraged me to try something different.

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fajita43 t1_j0xzm0k wrote

The last picture there is just pure sexy.

Great job!

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stay_sweet t1_j0xl4ny wrote

My dumbass thought this was a giant cookie dough cutter. On that note, you should bake a giant-ass honeycomb-shaped cookie

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richriggins OP t1_j0xr4ze wrote

I don't think my mixer is big enough.

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FartMongerSupreme t1_j0zjkph wrote

You just need a big rolling pin, use a 4x8 sheet of plywood as your rolling surface and you've got hexagonal pizza sized cookies before you know it.

This post has me seriously considering dipping my toe into welding, like I need more hobbies..

Great work!

5

Popeye_01 t1_j0xwebl wrote

Btw, if you plan on making more. Cut down on time by using long sheet of steel and cutting the lines just deep enough to bend metal into shape. Then, fold and weld one edge. Good work

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richriggins OP t1_j0yzk7s wrote

Good idea, I just don't have the tooling to do it that way.

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Tableau t1_j0z98m4 wrote

Angle grinder

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richriggins OP t1_j0zugvb wrote

Cutting all that by hand doesn't really cut down on time and effort.

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Tableau t1_j0zwty2 wrote

Getting your supplier to do it on the shear like you did is a better way, for sure.

Just pointing angle grinder is all you need for the score and bend method. May actually save time in so far as it saves fit-up, but the cutting is a bit of a pain. Though on 1/8 it should be fairly quick

3

leviwhite9 t1_j0x8ifh wrote

Your blue welding magnets have a lever on them, what does that do?

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richriggins OP t1_j0xen52 wrote

It turns them on and off! Wild right?!

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leviwhite9 t1_j0xjkub wrote

I was thinking that may be it but wasn't sure as I hadn't seen them like this before!

Heck yeah they're awesome! A company, maybe the pioneer of this style, called "MagSwitch" I believe makes all sorts of similar including a little keychain style one that I had for a while.

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Valalvax t1_j0z2dbq wrote

Technically the lever pulls the magnet up into the frame far enough away it doesn't hold anymore, but yes it turns them on and off

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HarlanCulpepper t1_j0wz6k0 wrote

Call it modern art and sell it.

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richriggins OP t1_j0x0exf wrote

Nah, at the price I'd have to charge for it to make it worth my while, nobody's buyin. Just a hobby.

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HarlanCulpepper t1_j10yv2r wrote

Honestly, If I saw that in the backyard of a Malibu mansion as a piece of landscape sculpture, I wouldn't even question it.

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dinoaids t1_j0x5sfp wrote

How did you cut the steel?

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richriggins OP t1_j0xexzo wrote

I had metal shop do it for me on their shear.

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dinoaids t1_j0xf505 wrote

Ah ok, I was curious how you did it in what looked like a garage shop.

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PuppyPunch t1_j0xcbja wrote

The ends look pretty clean, sheared I imagine. You can cut it up with a band saw too and grind the edges if you got a big enough set up.

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LeanDixLigma t1_j0yr9u9 wrote

The scale was deceiving until the last pic showed It full of wood, then it looked a lot bigger

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halfway2MD t1_j0xha9k wrote

hexagon is the bestagon.

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ghostwail t1_j0y9nr6 wrote

Cool! I'm thinking about getting started, and I wonder where you get the raw material?

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richriggins OP t1_j0yxeqc wrote

I live in a town with a lot of industry, many metal supply shops to choose from.

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drfarren t1_j0z06vk wrote

You know you're going to regret this, right? One day you'll find the wood missing and the whole thing covered with big wax caps then when you open them up you'll find giant bees in there. Three giant bees.

Then you'll have to keep them warm in your house for the winter if you want ANY hope of giant bee honey in the spring.

You did this to yourself! Now protect your corgi-sized bees!

4

KorbanDidIt t1_j0xb07d wrote

Cool project! Great work!

3

NA_Panda t1_j0xlt2e wrote

Honeycomb is big

3

Trolleitor t1_j0zat0h wrote

Pathetic wood hexagon stick holder vs proper metal wood storage

Looks rad man

3

bluewales73 t1_j0zrx68 wrote

That was a fun sequence of pictures. Well done!

3

Nordeast_Nester t1_j0zud6h wrote

This is really great! I signed up for a welding class and will see if I can use this as my project, thanks for sharing the idea!

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ImFuckinUrDadTonight t1_j0y2fat wrote

At first I thought the kid was OP and was about to be extra impressed

2

nvrmor t1_j0y8m5n wrote

I like yours better

2

bcvickers t1_j0ze9s5 wrote

Nice work.

FYI for the future though, 3 - 1" long welds along each of those seams would have been more than enough. If you wanted to make them all look uniform just grind the welds down and apply a small bead of black or grey polyurethane caulk down the seam.

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richriggins OP t1_j0zm7w3 wrote

I figured I was way overdoing it by welding the entire seam, but it was as much about getting the practice (first real welding project) as anything.

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turkeyherder34 t1_j0zxo1w wrote

This looks incredible! You did a great job

2

tkst3llar t1_j10dub7 wrote

Encouraging giant bee mutations

Not cool

2

Paterculus523 t1_j10i98d wrote

Looks great. Now the challenge next week. Build a hexagon smokeless fire pit.

2

mydirtyboots t1_j11dkrc wrote

I think you should make a video on how to make a firewood rack.

2

Moorion t1_j0ycggc wrote

Mig?

1

richriggins OP t1_j0yxak8 wrote

Flux core

1

Moorion t1_j0z0wtd wrote

Nice work. Thinking about learning welding myself. These are good examples of implementation. Thanks for posting.

1

YourPlot t1_j0z3xyh wrote

This looks way better than my flimsy Amazon purchased wood rack. I wonder if I should pick up welding…

1

se69xy t1_j0z43at wrote

The metal looks better than the wood…well done.

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Browneyedgirl63 t1_j0z51kt wrote

You did a great job. Looks like you might need more.

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richriggins OP t1_j0z5k3z wrote

Yeah, calling my steel folks tomorrow to place a material order for 3 more...

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reidmrdotcom t1_j0zskuu wrote

If you really are making more, the inside of the hexagon could share walls, basically would reduce your material use by three pieces. Looks good!

2

richriggins OP t1_j0zt5wq wrote

For sure. Doing it this way let me do most of the work in my basement shop and then bring everything up for final assembly.

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Browneyedgirl63 t1_j0zalvx wrote

It’s great how you can just keep adding and adding. And it looks nice and neat.

1

Tableau t1_j0z9ljc wrote

Looks good, but if you wire brush that flux off it would look a little nicer

1

richriggins OP t1_j0z9z0y wrote

Notice how in the picture where it's full of wood you can't see those welds?

1

Tableau t1_j0zbpbh wrote

I do, but it takes literal second to do

1

JohnnySmithe80 t1_j0zz95t wrote

Good idea on the ventilation but I don't see any respirator.

Seriously should consider a respirator for any amount of welding our grinding. About $30-40 for a good, comfortable one and will last years with only filter replacement. You want one with nuisance level organic gas filtering.

Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/3M-Facepiece-Respirator-Respiratory-Protection/dp/B001NDN29O

1

TheDoctorBlind t1_j10rxgm wrote

Perfect! Looks good!

Also always try to duplicate for double!

I wish my duplicate projects only cost double.

1

Pabi_tx t1_j10wfeo wrote

You can't fool me, that ain't honeycomb, that's metal.

1

mslashandrajohnson t1_j10yscr wrote

I could wax eloquent but I’ll simply say I’d bee proud to store firewood in this.

1

PanZlty t1_j0z3umk wrote

JFYI the actual inside walls of the honeycomb are round not hexagonal.

−1

hazpat t1_j108htk wrote

No rust control?

−1

Valalvax t1_j0z2xi8 wrote

Disappointed that you never mentioned the final price... My guess is about 140 for the welder, 50 for the fan, and 200 or so for the metal, but just spit balling with basically no reference except for the welder

(I actually assume that fan cost about the same as the welder, but decided to low-ball my guess)

−2

rdmille t1_j0wvoml wrote

Drink your milk, it's galvanized. And don't forget to paint it before it rusts.

−3

richriggins OP t1_j0wz3lf wrote

Was thinking about just letting it weather

17

Staerebu t1_j0x2moj wrote

The welds will likely rust first unfortunately

13

jooes t1_j0xkxp5 wrote

It'll just get all rusty and shitty if you do that.

I'd at least throw on a coat or two of clear coat.

5

MUYkylo t1_j0xn4d8 wrote

That's why the original is nice and thick. Oxidized and still strong.

4

demonsun t1_j0xot4o wrote

The original is also made of a weathering steel like corten, so it rusts and then stops rusting. The thickness doesn't matter so much as stopping flexing breaking the outer layer and exposing fresh steel.

8

richriggins OP t1_j0xr1ym wrote

The original is made from much thinner stuff than this. This is 1/8".

4

Uninstal t1_j0yrtsa wrote

It only looks thick because it has flaps at the edges.

3

Navlgazer t1_j0x8fod wrote

He’s not kidding about drinking milk after welding on galvanized metal.

Google it .

−10

Fioricascastle t1_j0xgny9 wrote

Had no idea what this was. Googled it. Appears to be an old wives tale. Fumes go into the respiratory system. Milk goes into the digestive.

12

Navlgazer t1_j0yxytr wrote

It’s no wives tale . The fumes go into your lungs and into your blood and will make you very sick

The milk goes into your digestive system and then into your blood on its way to your kidneys . And on the way , while the poison fumes that got into your blood are in the blood at the same time as the milk is in your blood , the poison fumes are attracted to the milk and somehow will attach to the milk and pass out with your urine .

Trust me on this , you do NOT want to inhale the fumes from welding galvanized metal. And if you do , or think you may have , drink as much milk as you can stand for the next two or three days .

My neighbor is a certified welder , it’s not a old wives tale , or if it is , it’s an accurate one .

Plus , unless your lactose intolerant, whats it gonna hurt to drink a bunch of milk ?

−2

[deleted] t1_j0z13pp wrote

[deleted]

1

Navlgazer t1_j0zljz2 wrote

Why wouldn’t something in your stomach enter your bloodstream ?

You know , like caffeine and alcohol and protein and everything else that’s in your stomach ?

Either way , be very careful welding galvanized steel .

The fumes will fuck you up.

1

tandata1600 t1_j0xhwyt wrote

Am I missing where we're told it's gal? Looks like regular mild steel welded with gasless mig.

13

rdmille t1_j0xo8s9 wrote

Looked galvanized to me, but I'm old. Gal or not, it needs painted.

−2

MerlinTheWhite t1_j0xswrp wrote

Not plated, just mill scale. You might be looking at the flux on the metal which kind of looks like burned off zinc .

3

cigarking t1_j0xe5gm wrote

WTF. Is no one going to comment on the damn store bought welding cart?

All y'all know the first you thing fab after buying a new welder is a cart!

And that HF Titanium is a surprisingly nice unit for the price.

−15

honkyg666 t1_j0xiywy wrote

Didn’t know that was a thing but the cart was definitely my first project when learning.

5

mrchaotica t1_j0zmek4 wrote

I have the same cart. I'm pretty sure it's significantly cheaper than the material for a DIY one.

2

richriggins OP t1_j0zuyrk wrote

Ding ding ding

2

cigarking t1_j0zwu05 wrote

Well duh. Of course it. This is DIY sub....

0

richriggins OP t1_j0zyzii wrote

Do I need to skin a cow and tan the leather for my welding gloves too?

1

cigarking t1_j10pk5l wrote

Well I don't know. I don't subscribe to the animal husbandry sub to know what their running gag on costs is.

1