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View Full Version : My aluminum cabinet project.

JR
10-23-2006, 12:42 AM
Here are some pics of the cabinets I built to store some of my junk.
It's built from aluminum and totally welded together.
Why aluminum?
Because it's lighter, doesn't rust, doesn't need paint and looks sweet.

Well, really, the main reason it's made from aluminum is to have a reason to practice tig welding aluminum.
There is over 25 hours of weld time on it
It's made from 1/16" box tubing, 1'x2'x18'. The shelves are .090" the back and sides are thinner.
The material cost about 15% more than mild steel.

It's not done yet, but It's finnally hung on the wall.
JR
10-23-2006, 12:43 AM
2. The cabinet was made to fit the garage and it's air ducts.
The welded in angle aluminum is for compartment boxes that slide in.
JR
10-23-2006, 12:43 AM
3. The doors slide on on by-pass tracks
JR
10-23-2006, 12:53 AM
4. For every good weld there's is a crappy one somewhere.

It seems that if everything is in order, it's all good.
But, If all the ducks aren’t in a row when the welding starts, it's gets ugly fast and is hard to fix, visually.
But, with more seat time, it's getting easier. :D
Brad
10-23-2006, 03:51 AM
Looks sweet! That is my dream machine.......we have 1 at work and I use it whenever I can. How much did it set ya back?
RedFJ
10-23-2006, 07:11 AM
JR, what machine did you end up buying?
fisher_man_matt
10-23-2006, 09:53 AM
Nice work.
yager
10-23-2006, 09:56 AM
Take you and your damn fancy shmancy alum. cabinets and........



bring em on over to my house !!!!!! Dems nice :)
JR
10-23-2006, 10:40 AM
JR, what machine did you end up buying?
Miller Dynasty 300 tig runner.
Gulp, $6,100.
I almost got a air cooled 200. I was back and forth between it and the 300 for a couple months.
The decision was good for me. Sometimes, welding goes on for 3-4 hours at a time. It wouldn't be as comfortable on a air cooled unit.

I was playing with the pulse options some, but couldn't get a good appearance with it. I need to study up on it more.

I need to learn how to weld stainless. Maybe a custom S/S railing for the back deck is in order :grinpimp: It should only take about 6 months to weld/build :laughing:
sixty
10-23-2006, 10:42 AM
Those are NICE! you must have some serious $ just in metal there.
fabcam
10-23-2006, 02:57 PM
Nice job!!!!
Scout Dude
10-23-2006, 03:10 PM
.

I need to learn how to weld stainless. Maybe a custom S/S railing for the back deck is in order :grinpimp: It should only take about 6 months to weld/build :laughing:

Stainless is a hell of a lot easier to weld than AL...just need to move fast so you don't overheat the material.

Your welds look good. I wish I could spit out AL welds like that on my tig. I just don't seem to have the time anymore.
PONY_DRIVER
10-23-2006, 03:42 PM
Looks damn sweet man, good job.
TeenyCAR
10-26-2006, 12:11 AM
You're a pimp. Enough said.
:flipoff2:
Old Scout
10-26-2006, 12:36 AM
Were did you buy the five bar plate for your doors? I can't find a supplier in Nor Cal !:beer:
JR
10-26-2006, 08:34 AM
Were did you buy the five bar plate for your doors? I can't find a supplier in Nor Cal !:beer:

http://www.imsmetals.com/
Sorry,I didn't see a location for Nor Cal.