Welding in the dirt

woodlandfarms · May 11, 2012

Because my last question was so successful for me I have yet another.

I have to keep the ideas on the cheap.....

I had a 8 x 14 pad of concrete under a wing of ny open wall carport pole barn that I welded on ( I have no welding table for the moment). It has allowed me to build a grapple with little issue. But I ran out of shop rom so I enclosed my pad. Today I realized as I started to plan building my land plane that I kinda screwed myself. All I have left is a gravel driveway. So how do you weld a large project that needs a level surface like a landplane without a level surface?

Carl

Danno1 · May 11, 2012

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Block up the various pieces w wood, bricks, rocks, etc and level them.

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ak9 · May 11, 2012

woodlandfarms
I've used I beams and channels to set up a cribbing for bigger projects .I use tape measures& string to help establish squareness also. I've a few older tables and refrigerators that are flat too to weld on
ak9

rockinmywaypa · May 11, 2012

Other than suggesting prudent use of a level I can't help you but I thought I'd mention something I saw in a fabricating shop once. It was two I beams imbedded into the floor so that they had these two perfectly level beams to build off of. They could tack pieces to them or simply rest the pieces but everything was level and if following the edges square. The top side was flush with the cement floor. It was an idea that I would definitely incorporate myself someday.

bcp · May 11, 2012

Go to your local auto wrecking yard and get 4 scissor jacks. Put a plywood or metal foot on each. Do whatever is needed to the top. Then you can level a project precisely without a wobbly stack of bricks, blocks, and wedges.

The old style vertical screw jacks work good, too. They are even more ridgid than a scissor jack.

Screw adjustable pier blocks will do it, too.

Bruce

Doloe · May 11, 2012

Looks like another successfully answered question.

The pier blocks are something I'll have to remember.

dstig1 · May 11, 2012

Uhhh why not weld in the same area but maybe open the doors?

Scooby074 · May 11, 2012

dstig1 said:
Uhhh why not weld in the same area but maybe open the doors?

Yup :thumbsup:

If you have to weld outside than as suggested use blocks , sawhorses etc to get everything leveled up.

You know this is a great excuse to finally build that welding table

Gary Fowler · May 12, 2012

If you are exceptionally flush with money, just go to your local welding supply and buy some Sumner brand of adjustable jack stands. OR look them up on the internet and build some similar to them using bolt heads. The material isnt going to be cheap but you can use a pair with angle iron between them and make an easily levelled saw horse type of support. This is the brand we use on our construction sites due to their ruggedness and safety in designed of load rating.

Sumner Manufacturing Co., Inc. Sumner Manufacturing Company Inc. - Lifts, Jacks and Stands, Handi-Bench, Welding Tools, Material Carts and Pipe Supports