big tee
Well-known Member
I have been working on the 21 ft. table off and on. I built myself a cheap jig out of plywood and 2 x 4's. I tacked them together in the jig and took them out and clamped them to too different things to keep them from warping. You would think I was making rocking chairs instead of picnic table frames. So I straightened the in my homemade press. When I went to the next step and welded the top on I tried something different- I clamped a 5/8ths washer between the part being welded and the stiffener---WORKED!!! Kind of like those big cement I-beams you see going down the road--pre-stressed. I am not used to welding all this new steel. Usually I have to grind of the rust or old paint before I can weld on it. New steel is getting very EXSPENSIVE. My Wife's brother runs a welding/repair shop 15 mi from me so I get my steel from him. 48 ft. of 2x2 1/8 wall square tubing cost me $206. I don't know if he is treating me good, or getting even for sleeping with his sister!!!