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Been learning to weld, what do you think? (hexbear.net)
submitted 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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Decided to make a sierpinski's tetrahedron as a first REAL project! I built a shitty angleiron workbench (with an old door ziptied onto it as the tabletop) before but I'm actually trying this time so it's different

170 welds completed so far crab-party !! So, only 346 left to go!!... doggirl-tears

This was a really good idea until I remembered how complex fractals are, like GIRL, DUH, fuck was I thinking hahaha

Its REALLY scuffed though, I'm talkin like using my stick welder to melt a half inch off the end off of the pieces I had precut to make it shorter so it will fit in the actual dimensions needed, I've been holding the smallest (~2") pieces with a wrench and holding it in place freehand. It's been a lot of fun so far, and I'm definitely improving as I go, I weld my welding stick to my stock way less often now, and achieve arc much more reliably too, which is cool to see my own progress within the project!

I hurt my shoulder a bit ago so I haven't been able to do much lately, but welding is pretty low impact in that I mostly just sit on a folding chair in my driveway next to my shitty workbench lol

Have some more views!

When it's done it'll look like this image I found on google

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[-] [email protected] 13 points 4 weeks ago

Insufficiently hexagonal

[-] [email protected] 18 points 4 weeks ago

You're on the wrong website pardner deng-cowboy

[-] [email protected] 6 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

I'm not saying this to be an argumentative debate-bro, and it's been a long time since I've forgotten abstract algebra, let alone found myself able to quickly work these things out, but l think usually where there are equilateral triangles, there are hexagonal symmetries (in 2d and 3d spaces)

[-] [email protected] 5 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

I'll grant you that there's a square there, but there are no hexagons on that thing, I guess you could use 6 to make their bases make a hexagon tho :U

[-] [email protected] 12 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

It's too late. I've already sloppily depicted my argument illustrating the flattening homomorphism between the tetrahedra and a hexagonal graph in multiple colors, without regard for anybody's eyes

[-] [email protected] 7 points 4 weeks ago

Sorry, but I have already depicted myself as the cool hexagonal graph, and you as the - also cool - tetrahedra.

[-] [email protected] 6 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

What hexagonal symmetries mean is slightly different from a shape being made out of hexagons. If you were to take a hexagon and rotate it a certain amount or flip it you will end up back where you started. You can make a set of actions that keep the shape the same, that would look something like {60° rotation, 120° rotation, 180° rotation...}. That set is its symmetry group. If an object has hexagonal symmetries, it has the same set, so even if it looks nothing like a hexagon you would be able to do all the same things you'd do to a hexagon and keep it the same.

edit: source if you wanna learn more

[-] [email protected] 4 points 4 weeks ago

happy cake day btw

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[-] [email protected] 11 points 4 weeks ago

Oh shit Quill, been forever since I've seen you around. This is looking really cool and I hope to see it finished.

[-] [email protected] 8 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

Hiii!!!! It's good to see you :D Thanks so much ^~ ^

never fear, I will definitely post updates!

[-] [email protected] 9 points 4 weeks ago

I'm thinking, "Did you measure the door?"

[-] [email protected] 6 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

Oh yeah its largest edge size is 18"

[-] [email protected] 9 points 4 weeks ago

Shoutout to my rug for co-starring in this post

[-] [email protected] 9 points 4 weeks ago

that rules

[-] [email protected] 8 points 4 weeks ago

Hello quillquote ralsei-wave

Very cool tetrahedron

[-] [email protected] 7 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

Hello! Long time no see comrade!

Thank you very much :3

[-] [email protected] 8 points 4 weeks ago

That is so fricking cool!!! Do a rhombic dodecahedron next!!! jk haha unless...

[-] [email protected] 10 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

I very well might do a Menger Sponge to use as a table or stool or something, but that's a cool shape too! do you have a particular affinity for it?

Side note but I found it while googling just now and apparently this lady made this KICKASS origami menger sponge, holy shit

Photo looks weird tho, but I can't tell if bad 90s camera or editing happened

[-] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago

Mengers sponge is really cool as well though. I like the rhombic dodecahedron because it has some nice mathematical properties like tesselation, symmetries, it retains a lot of the properties of a cube (since it's "made" from one) but isn't nearly as boring. I wonder if mengers sponge could be made with rhomic dodecahedra as wel... thinkin-lenin

[-] [email protected] 7 points 4 weeks ago

...I keep saying I won't buy a cheap welder, then all these cool hobbyist comments. I don't have space. Wait till after I can build a big shed...

[-] [email protected] 7 points 3 weeks ago

You know what you can build the shed with? A welder.

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[-] [email protected] 7 points 4 weeks ago 
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[-] [email protected] 7 points 4 weeks ago

Oh wow that's really cool! I'm going to start learning how to weld next month, but it's mostly as a support skill for my woodworking. Clamps specifically are insanely expensive where I live, so being able to make my own clamps from cheap flat iron bars will save me a preposterous amount of money in the long run. Your tetrahedron looks sick, way beyond the level of complexity I think I'll aim to achieve in welding lol congrats!

[-] [email protected] 3 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

It is HUGELY useful with woodworking projects so far.

Plus, unlike when you glue wood stuff its instantly strong so whipping stuff together for even a jig or such can be really really fast, and super sturdy.

My next practical gambit here will be making some tools for myself, I've also been learning blacksmithing (I have an adorable little 20kg anvil and I turned a pressure cooker into a forge) but with my shoulder hurt I've been.... not blacksmithing for the time being :(

P.S. please share your design for your clams when you build them, I too could use more clams and I LOVE making shit instead of buying it if possible

[-] [email protected] 7 points 4 weeks ago

GOOD SHIT

[-] [email protected] 6 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

Cool but it's not a hexagon

EDIT: Should have known before posting that I am not an original person

[-] [email protected] 6 points 4 weeks ago

no-copyright Too slow

[-] [email protected] 6 points 4 weeks ago

That’s really neat! It’s been a while since I’ve welded, but I did go to school for it. If you have any welds you’re not fully satisfied with and want some constructive criticism, feel free to post some close up shots and I’ll do my best to help you out. (I also just like looking at welds)

I’m more familiar with MIG welding than stick, I ditched that shit as soon as I could. Props to ya for pulling this off with stick!

[-] [email protected] 4 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

Thank you for the offer! I will definitely take you up on that once I get a chance to clean up the welds with a grinder to see how bad they actually are lol

I am REALLY looking to ditch stick also! I bought the CHEAPEST welder I could to see if I liked it and I do so definitely fuck this method lol

Could you recommend me a specific mig welder that's not super expensive but you know is quality? There's like 10000 different ones available and they all look like identical slop to me

[-] [email protected] 5 points 4 weeks ago

Honestly couldn’t help you with the shopping aspect of it, I’ve only really used the welders in my class or workplaces.

[-] [email protected] 4 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

A small thing that will help a lot is getting a steel wire brush and scrubbing the site of the weld before you try to strike the arc. It clears the area of the oxide layer and makes it easier to start and get a cleaner weld.

Have you been beveling the weld locations?

[-] [email protected] 6 points 4 weeks ago

It’s been a while since I’ve got the chance to talk welding with someone so my neurons are lighting up. I miss it so much. I need to get my own setup arranged because I refuse to do it as a full time job.

[-] [email protected] 4 points 4 weeks ago

Hell yes, bring on the enthusiasm sister!

[-] [email protected] 4 points 4 weeks ago

oh HELL no I haven't haha, my main focus was to stay as on grid as possible with the structure, but I've been doing most of it without any prep on the materials

[-] [email protected] 4 points 4 weeks ago

Ah, okay. If you take a grinder to the edge of the material to create a little bevel, it can help get a better penetration on the weld and get a bit of a flatter weld. You’d have to lower your heat a bit and change the angle to redirect the heat towards where the metal is thickest though.

You’re probably fine as is, it doesn’t look like the material is that thick, but with thicker material a small bevel of 1/3-1/2 of the thickness can help a lot.

[-] [email protected] 4 points 4 weeks ago

(I’m gonna try and reel in my excitement on having someone to rant to about welding now.) doggirl-smart

[-] [email protected] 3 points 4 weeks ago

No need :3

[-] [email protected] 3 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

Ooooh I think I get what you mean that makes sense! then the weld starts deeper on the added stock and then the area that was ground away is rebuilt by the weld, increasing the surface area of the bond as well!

[-] [email protected] 3 points 4 weeks ago

Exactly :3

[-] [email protected] 3 points 4 weeks ago

Also, if you’re welding material with a larger gap between them, you can do a series of tack welds to give yourself more material to work with without burning through the metal. This works better with MIG welding though.

With stick, it’s bad practice but you can take an electrode, knock off the flux, and use the electrode itself as a filler metal.

If you’re using flat pieces of metal together and are afraid of it burning though, you can use a backing bar to both draw excess heat away and reduce the chance of blowing through the weld by providing structure for the weld pool to sit on. You need to use metal with different properties than what you’re welding though, otherwise you’ll just end up with a 3rd piece of metal attached to your weld piece. I think I remember using either bronze or brass.

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[-] [email protected] 5 points 4 weeks ago

Nice work! I’ve always wanted to learn how to weld but never really had the chance. Maybe someday.

[-] [email protected] 5 points 4 weeks ago

Got everything I used for like 200$, not including the steel used, you definitely should if you get the chance!

[-] [email protected] 4 points 4 weeks ago

very cool doggirl-thumbsup

[-] [email protected] 4 points 3 weeks ago

Hell yeah

[-] [email protected] 4 points 3 weeks ago

I've been holding the smallest (~2") pieces with a wrench and holding it in place freehand

a very cheap quality of life improvement here would be some welding magnets so you don't have to hold the work

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[-] [email protected] 3 points 4 weeks ago

What sticks are you using?

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[-] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago

that's awesome!

[-] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

This is super cool.

Also welcome back

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this post was submitted on 09 Jul 2025
107 points (100.0% liked)

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