Well the wife left to visit her parents for a couple weeks and took my daughter with her. Work hasn't called to send me some place, so I had some free time.

This is the Arc Welder I am using. (Arc welding is so much easier than Mig, at least to me!)
http://mysite.verizon.net/respagz9/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/myarcwelder.jpg

This is after I got the main base "T" done and the caster braces on the ends and front brace, which also will have 2 casters, which helps to keep the whole unit low to the ground.
http://mysite.verizon.net/respagz9/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/02-03-07c.jpg

This is what my welding looks like by the end of today! I'm definately getting better, but no were near a pro yet!
http://mysite.verizon.net/respagz9/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/mybead02-03-07.jpg.w300h247.jpg

I've actually figured out the cost and by the end of it all it would have been cheaper to by a Rotissiery from auto twirler or some other place, but the practical experience I am gaining is priceless. :beers:

Just a couple more pictures. Yea I let the Iron sit to long and it has surface rust. That just means extra work in the clean up before welding any pieces together.

http://mysite.verizon.net/respagz9/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/02-03-07d.jpg.w300h126.jpg

http://mysite.verizon.net/respagz9/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/02-03-07a.jpg.w300h225.jpg
http://mysite.verizon.net/respagz9/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/02-03-07b.jpg.w300h132.jpg

Your beads are lookin pretty good now :thumbsup:

Your beads are lookin pretty good now :thumbsup:

Thanks it is always nice to get a little feed back.

I made it a little further today then had to stop to get ready for the Super Bowl! Go Raiders, Oh I guess they didn't make it this year! All part of the plan they get a good draft pick this year! :D

First two are setting it up and trying to square. I could have thought it was square but by the end it is like 1" off! Oh well it should still work fine as long as the rotator sleeve is level.

http://mysite.verizon.net/respagz9/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/02-04-07a.jpg.w560h442.jpg
http://mysite.verizon.net/respagz9/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/02-04-07b.jpg.w560h403.jpg

The next two are after the piece was welded into place! Starting to be able to make out what it is! excuse the haze as I swept before taking the pictures.
http://mysite.verizon.net/respagz9/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/02-04-07e.jpg.w560h553.jpg
http://mysite.verizon.net/respagz9/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/02-04-07d.jpg.w560h445.jpg

An inch off??!! From where to where? You dont have a square? You need to invest in one for sure lol. Just remember...PENETRATION! ;)

The upright is tilted about 3/4" back from bottom to top. (1/4" per foot of run) I did set it up with a square as you can see in the first two pictures. Had it all fastened down with clamps. The only thing I can think of is the back section tugged hard on the clamps. With that leverage up in the air like that it might have had enough leverage to cause it. Unfortunately I don't have a really nice welding table and that weight pulling on the clamps that are clamping it down to wood. The wood adds a flex factor in that is really hard to compensate for.

My wife broke out laughing when I started talking about Penetration!

Ohhh, theres easier ways to do it. I dont have a table either, I do most of my welding on the floor lol. I usually just get it close to square, then tack weld it in one or two spots, then THATS when ya square it up, sometimes with a few good whacks with a hammer. The tack welds will hold it square after ya "nudge" it where ya want it :thumbsup:

LOL @ wifey :D

Well I finally got the gusset in! It is a 1/2" piece of steel so it should hold up nice. It took a lot of prep work and lots of passes to fill the cut back and build a good bead.

http://mysite.verizon.net/respagz9/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/02-05-07a.jpg

http://mysite.verizon.net/respagz9/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/02-06-07a.jpg

http://mysite.verizon.net/respagz9/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/02-06-07b.jpg

http://mysite.verizon.net/respagz9/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/02-06-07c.jpg

Also some pictures of some of my basic tools.

http://mysite.verizon.net/respagz9/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/toolsa.jpg

I love these self darkening helmets!

http://mysite.verizon.net/respagz9/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/weldinghood.jpg

And one last one showing what happens to the cheapy hammer that comes with welders after a month or two of light use! Also are the replacements I got that actually work ten times better!

http://mysite.verizon.net/respagz9/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/weldinghammers.jpg

Looks pretty good from where I sit :thumbsup: Now ya have the "important" welds coming up! Just take your time on those and make sure everything is perfect...no shortcuts, no "close enough's" ;) What about the hammer? I musta missed somethin lol.

Sorry I haven't been able to update this any further recently, but work called and sent me to California for the next couple weeks. That puts the project on hold till I get home and spend some family time first. Actually next are two side supports 2X2 box 3/16" wall 24" long installed at 45 degrees to support the main tower side to side. I know if it is all built right and the car is balanced right the side to side forces seen are very minimal. I figure then dealing with something like this over building is better than under building. After I get done with that I'll probably built the other base before going on to the critical welds. This will allow me to get more practice in less critical areas. As they say practice makes perfect, or in my case I would be happy with good enough!

looking good!

looking good!

Thanks for the comment! Wish work would leave me home long enough to get going on it again, but that probably will not happen until June at the earliest.:sad: