Create many projects with your welder and welding wire.
When you are planning a welding project, a MIG welder is the best choice. Most hobbyists and smaller welding shops use MIG welders. Stick or arc welders use a covered electrode to weld, but they make so much heat the metal can get brittle. MIG welders are easier to operate, weld cleaner, and you use welding wire instead of electrodes. You can make many different things with a MIG welder and welding wire.
Satellite Yagi Antenna
A Yagi satellite antenna looks similar to this one.
If you are a ham radio operator, you can create an antenna from welding wire and a broom stick. The MHz elements needed for the Yagi antenna can be made by tapping 3 millimeter welding rods into tight-fitting holes drilled into a broom handle. Set up your antenna and tune it to the southern sky and you're ready to go.
Shop Stool
Create a durable shop stool with steel legs and a footrest with your MIG welder and welding wire. Cut four legs, four top frame and four bottom frame pieces from angle iron. Weld the top and bottom frame pieces each into an exact square, then weld the legs onto them. Drill holes into the centers of each piece of the top frame and match the holes on the piece of metal you will use as the top of the stool. Screw the top on with bolts and nuts. Clean and paint your stool and your project is finished.
Metal Tool Bench and Storage Chest
To build a tool bench-storage chest combination, you will need angle iron for the legs, several long pieces of sheet steel, caster wheels if you want the unit to be movable, some handles and hinges and paint. Tack-weld the frame together, make sure it is level, and then weld it. Fit and cut the sheet metal for the bottom and middle shelves and tack them on. For the top, weld on six braces and affix the top to them. Then cut the sheet metal for the sides and weld them on. Leave the front side open for doors, which you affix to the hinges after they are welded onto the sides. Now weld or screw on handles, clean and paint your project and it is done.
Other Projects
If you have children, small size metal chairs are a great project, or you can build them a child's backhoe. Other easy-to-build projects are metal bar stools, extension cord holders, welding cable brackets, anvil stands and welding carts.
