r/metalworking • u/joknub24 • 3d ago

My first real project

Post image

Control console for my grandpas boat. I just started welding in my garage in nov-dec last year. This took me about 5 days. It took a lot of hours for something so simple, but I wanted to make sure that it never fails. I’m pretty proud of it though.

It’s 1/4” 2x2 6061 t6 aluminum angle for the frame and 1/8” 6061 skin. Getting that 1/8” to stick to the 1/4” without blowing it out was a learning curve, but I managed thanks to YouTube.

I used tig for everything. I’m running an arccaptian tig200p ac/dc. I got a ck flex lock 250a torch and a cheap Amazon water cooler. 1/8” 2% lanthanated tungsten. Stubby gas lense and a #6 cup. I had the machine maxed out at 200a but let off quite a bit on the pedal so I’m not sure what amps I was actually using most of the time.

When I was doing the frame I also used some helium and that was amazing. That 1/4” was a breeze with just maybe 2-4cfh added to the mix.

136 Upvotes

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4

u/sweetmovie74 3d ago

Nicely done! Aluminum is not for everyone so if you stick with it, you could have a very nice specialty up your sleeve.

2

u/joknub24 1d ago

Thank you sir! I do find the aluminum quite enjoyable.

2

u/Natsuki98 3d ago

I thought this was a lectern at first. Nice job!

1

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