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Mobile Welding Table with Hangers and Bottom Shelf

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  After starting to learn to weld, I quickly realized I would need a welding table to clamp and work on projects.  After researching options and features in various stores, I decided it might be more interesting to build my own from scratch so I could have exactly what I wanted and also gain a lot of experience welding by just putting it all together! As an engineer, I always like to start by sketching out the basic design with the features I want and that also feeds into a material list and a cut list.  For this table, I decided I wanted wide slats for the top with spaces in between to allow clamping projects from almost any angle.  From there, I also wanted a couple of side hanger bars, a full bottom shelf for storage, and finally heavy duty adjustable casters with wheels and feet to allow easy movement and stable work positioning anywhere on my nonlevel garage floor. With my material list complete, I was able to send an order to my local metal supplier for the tot...
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Magnetic MIG Welding Gun Holder

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  Today I was waiting for a part to arrive to continue my welding table build and started thinking about the hassle it was to always find a place to set the MIG gun while I was working on pieces.  I also realized that with the new table, I'd probably end up needing one for the table, one for the welding cart (next build), and probably one that I could move around if a different project required it. That immediately made me think I needed to come up with one that would work for any requirement, so I came up with the idea that a strong earth magnet would be key since then I could simply snap it anywhere I needed. Digging through the steel pieces I had after cutting project pieces, I had a 12" piece of 1" x 1/8" bar steel that seemed like the ticket.  First I cut about 3" off the top to use for the holder bracket.  The magnet I had on hand had a couple of small holes for bolts, so I found a couple of bolts, nuts, and washers that would work and drilled matching hol...
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Quick/Temporary Wooden Welding Gas Tank Stand

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  I decided it was long past time to add welding to my skill set, so I purchased a multi-process welder and some flux core wire and decided my first projects should be a welding table and welding cart (I know.. maybe overly ambitious for a first project, but might as well go big). Anyway, after working on my flux core welds for a while, I found I was struggling a bit with visibility and spatter.  I had the opportunity to spend a little time with another welder in the neighborhood and run a few beads with his MIG setup.  I had always heard that MIG was better for spatter and cleaner welds (plus no slag), but hadn't realized that MIG might actually improve weld puddle visibility. Long story short (I know... too late), I picked up an Argon/CO2 regulator, hose, and 80cu 75/25% tank along with some MIG wire.  After I received the tank, I realized I needed a stand to stabilize the tank until I completed the welding cart to include tank storage. Since I'm a wood worker by d...
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A Simple Wooden Guitar Stand with a bit of Attitude

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Normally, my woodworking projects tend to be a bit boxy since they were designed to be sturdy and functional first and then aesthetics... possibly (if ever). As a result, I approached my idea to build a guitar stand from an entirely different perspective.  I wanted to build something with sexy curves and personality first, and then make sure it wasn't going to fall apart. I started with a section of scrap 1" x 10" whitewood boards I had remaining from another project.  I rough sketched an "L" shape into the section so I could effectively get (2) stand legs from a single section and then used a jig saw to cut the legs and center board with a curved shape. After cutting the legs and center board, I decided to go with a simple dowel rod to join the pieces rather than a traditional joint to emphasize the shapes and gang drilled (3) 25/64" holes to allow a 3/8" dowel to be used and move as necessary.   Once that was complete, the assembly was simply threadi...
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A Purpose Built Internal Cabinet Wine Rack

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I've heard some folks complain that their wives are constantly giving them projects.  While my wife seems to be in that same club, I feel very fortunate because *most* of the projects my wife gives me are project ideas I'd actually love to build! In this case, our story begins simply with a lovely cabinet. While lovely on the outside, our subject has a dirty secret inside... ...nothing.  While possibly built long ago to hold something specific with the space provided (vinyl albums maybe?), now this cabinet just has a large amount of awkward space.  My wife and I both occasionally enjoy a glass of wine or Champagne, so my wife casually suggested that it might be interesting to turn it into wine storage. Of course it would!!  Now, to be fair, my wife may have actually just meant we could sit bottles in the space; however, where is the fun (and sawdust) in simple vertical storage?    A horizontal wine rack came to mind, so I took measurements of the inter...
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A Simple Deputy's Rack (Vertical Weapon Rack)

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At times, I've had to travel for work and my wife wanted a bit of security while I was away.  After discussing options and testing fits, we decided on a home defense shotgun; however, we also quickly realized we had no place to safely store it away that would also be accessible in an emergency. I reviewed some of the floor standing and wall mount commercial options available and finally decided to just design and build what I really wanted.   I took inspiration from the old Westerns... queue the scene where someone enters the Sherriff's office.  As the camera pans across the prisoner's cell, just before we see the Sherriff (who typically has his feet up on the desk for some reason... or maybe that's just Andy Griffith) there is usually a vertical weapon rack with various long guns, ammo, gun belts, etc. After playing with designs for a bit, I finally settled on a small vertical rack for two weapons (you never know) and also had shelves and space to hold all of t...
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