So there has been a little bit of progress, but no updates to this project posting. I’ve been visiting the dentist and getting wisdom teeth pulled ( and their neighbors ), and been working on the website skin. Anyways been busy, so this post will have a lot of picutres. Oh and I finally figured out how to setup the camera focus modes, so some photos are actually in focus now.

Jigged up subsections for next to the tank

Made two of these pieces, they will go next to the tank, the hood will rest on them when closed.

Pieces measured and cut.

Cut most of the metal to make the parts.  I had a mishap with a ‘gag’ tape measure that was missing an inch somewhere, so I had to recut the short pieces.  Silly but fortunately not very costly, as I bought enough metal for just such situations.

Table setup for welding the big square pieces.

Here is the table setup for welding the larger square pieces that will be horizontal sections.

Welds

Just showing off some welds here.  They aren’t that great, I’m still going a bit slow and cautious but they aren’t that bad all things considered.  Penetration is good, and these will probably get ground down as this is a surface wood will get mounted to.

Ground edge on large horizontal square piece.

A weld after grinding.  Here a short 4inch piece will be welded on as the leg.

Mocking it up a bit.

Here the two horizontal squares are welded up.  The 4inch legs are welded on ( they are on straighter than they look in the photo, honest ).  And the vertical columns are just clamped in place to see how it will go together.  Its taking some shape finally.

The before shot

Here is one of the little 4inch legs welded on.  The next photo shows it ground down.  Again because it will be a surface wood will get mounted to.  The weld in behind is very beefy.  Not sure if I will make and put in gussets.

The after shot

This last photo shows me trying to setup the virtual column as straight and true as possible. The woodworking 90degree clamps tend to be very inaccurate and clumsy, maybe its just the particular units.

Vive la clamp !

To be continued …