Stick welding thin wall SQ tube

[posixPilot]

I'll take your wise words under advisement. The keyed security screws sound pretty interesting. I don't want to put you out but if you can find the link, I'd appreciate it!

Looks like I got them from McMaster: http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/118/3133/=he8i8f

They have a unique polygon design, that you can't readily find a driver for (except at McMaster). If you have some serious bucks, I understand that you can privately license they key for a particular polygon.

Cheers
Mike

[undercut]

Looks like I got them from McMaster: http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/118/3133/=he8i8f

They have a unique polygon design, that you can't readily find a driver for (except at McMaster). If you have some serious bucks, I understand that you can privately license they key for a particular polygon.

Cheers
Mike

Not looking for anything as elaborate as the private license keys but good to know they exist "just in case". The enclosure is basically to help deter a smash and grab.

Those are great screw heads. Not sure if I want to use those types of security screws or the kind that only drive in one direction. I guess the security heads would at least give me a better option if I ever need to remove the enclosure.

I will need to put some type of tab w/ hole arrangement for a padlock so I'll find out then whether I have the same problem you did with the bracket. I'd love to TIG this project but I've never even tried to TIG yet. Have you used the TIG function on your Power Pro 256?

[Rodsmachineshop]

want it tamper proof these are the only ones that are a big pain to undo http://www.hudsonfasteners.com/sec/sec_brkwynt.htm

[undercut]

want it tamper proof these are the only ones that are a big pain to undo http://www.hudsonfasteners.com/sec/sec_brkwynt.htm

Wicked. I'm assuming you torque them down and the top breaks off?! Leaves a nice sloped crown that vise grips can't grab onto. Very nice ..... Bookmarked that site too!

[Rodsmachineshop]

all the new cars use these for there steering columns and ignition locks a pain to get undone . yes tighten till they snap , the way to get them undone is with a welder sit a nut over crown and tack weld to get undone

[undercut]

all the new cars use these for there steering columns and ignition locks a pain to get undone . yes tighten till they snap , the way to get them undone is with a welder sit a nut over crown and tack weld to get undone

Can't wait until I start to *think* like a welder .... Caught myself in another thread when I said "bench" and was thinking of a wooden woodworkers bench and the rest of the forum was thinking welding bench! As you remove these by tacking a nut on, my first instinct was to dremel a slot and try a screwdriver (but I suspect the nut might be too tight for a screwdriver to work on it). Tack a nut on, that's a great idea.

[EchoSixMike]

For cheap, just use machine screws in a countersunk hole then fill/spot weld with MIG or TIG. They have to be drilled/ground out. S/F....Ken M

[posixPilot]

Not sure if I want to use those types of security screws or the kind that only drive in one direction. I guess the security heads would at least give me a better option if I ever need to remove the enclosure.

Yeah, I wasn't sure what your application was; there are definitely better options if you don't need to undo the installation. My system is installed in a datacenter, where backing out the screws can't involve a welder, saws all, etc.

I'd love to TIG this project but I've never even tried to TIG yet. Have you used the TIG function on your Power Pro 256?

Yes, I think TIG would be ideal for your project, with the caveat that you would need to master the inside corner joint. I suspect there would be a good deal of those on your project. TIG will give you a great deal more control over heat input.

I would have liked to TIG my project, but at the time, I was several pay checks away from being set up for TIG, and the project was outside anyways (wind and TIG do not mix).

Cheers
Mike

[undercut]

Yeah, I wasn't sure what your application was; there are definitely better options if you don't need to undo the installation. My system is installed in a datacenter, where backing out the screws can't involve a welder, saws all, etc.

Ahhh, but can you imagine the look of the others in the datacenter if you wheeled in your welding equipment ....

Yes, I think TIG would be ideal for your project, with the caveat that you would need to master the inside corner joint. I suspect there would be a good deal of those on your project. TIG will give you a great deal more control over heat input.

I would have liked to TIG my project, but at the time, I was several pay checks away from being set up for TIG, and the project was outside anyways (wind and TIG do not mix).

Cheers
Mike

I pretty much need to weld outdoors at the moment and am more than several pay checks away from TIG so I can definitely relate. Would the inside corner joint need a special cup to help ensure the weld is well protected? I would assume the tungsten would need to be extended more than usual to get in there(?) Sorry, haven't done much homework on TIG but you've got me thinking now. Always a dangerous thing - thinking.

[posixPilot]

Would the inside corner joint need a special cup to help ensure the weld is well protected?

As you said, it is partially a matter of extending the tungsten close enough to the joint. I've read that a gas lense can help ensure uniform flow and allow for a greater stick out. But the other issue is that you are limited on how you can approach the joint with your torch and filler rod. I haven't quite got the hang of it yet, so I stick weld inside corners .

Cheers
Mike

[undercut]

As you said, it is partially a matter of extending the tungsten close enough to the joint. I've read that a gas lense can help ensure uniform flow and allow for a greater stick out. But the other issue is that you are limited on how you can approach the joint with your torch and filler rod. I haven't quite got the hang of it yet, so I stick weld inside corners .

Cheers
Mike

Got tungsten glass lens on my list of "things to research". I've come across that term a few times now that the nice people here have wet my appetite about TIG'ing - just not sure how or if I should bridge the gap from what I'm saving up for and a better / capable TIG setup.