What to do with old weld test coupons

[A_DAB_will_do]

Alright, I got about 100lbs of old bend test coupons; numerous root and face bend straps cut from:

3/8" plate,
6" sch80 pipe,
2" sch 80 pipe,

and side bends from:

3/4" plate
2" XXS pipe

I used up 3 to make cable hooks on my workbench...now what? I'll post a photo of the whole collection soon, so you all can see how much material I have to work with. I'm saving a few, like the side bends from my AWS cert test on 8" pipe. But the others are fair game...

I'm thinking about turning them into something I can hang on the wall of my garage outside, since it's a blank brick wall at the moment...

Suggestions?

[MicroZone]

Weight rack, tool rack, material racks, squatting rack (weight lifting again), cover your truck with them to prevent damage, etc. :)

[drivethruboy54]

i use them as paper weights, give them out for christmas

[TEK]

Stretch a big rubber band between two trees and shoot them into the next county?:eek:

[woodironman]

tack em all together and call it art!

[A_DAB_will_do]

This I like, but here in my part of Ohio, there aren't any trees nearby!

Stretch a big rubber band between two trees and shoot them into the next county?:eek:

[A_DAB_will_do]

This is where I'm headed, I was hoping somebody else had some examples of art they made using test coupons....

tack em all together and call it art!

[shott8283]

well.. when i weld one together that doesnt snap into two peices.. ill frame it and put it on the mantel

[A_DAB_will_do]

Here's what I have to work with. Thanks to HIWT... In the overall photo, there's 3/8" and thinner guided bend test coupons in the first 2 rows, then 6" sch 80 pipe coupons in the second 2 rows, and 2" sch 80 in the third row, and side bends from 3/4" plate and heavy wall 2" pipe in the fifth row.

[A_DAB_will_do]

Here's one possibility...a sun emblem or disk...

Anybody have any other suggestions or ideas? Bueller? Bueller?

[A_DAB_will_do]

It will come in time, grasshopper. I thought I was hopeless when I started seriously welding a year ago.:dizzy: Now, I'm dangerous. :D
well.. when i weld one together that doesnt snap into two peices.. ill frame it and put it on the mantel

[DSW]

I like the pattern. How about making that a clock? Drop the number down to 24 and see if it will still work.

[shott8283]

my wife sugggested a clock even before reading DSW's post.. so thats a second' on the clock motion'

[violatedppl]

tack them all together, make some legs, put a round piece of glass on the top and call it a table.

[A_DAB_will_do]

DSW, Shott8283, thanks. A clock had not occurred to me. Maybe I can even get an inexpensive set of battery powered works, and make some hands for it.

violatedppl, I've got enough for 2, and so I'll take a look at a table design also...I've got some 1" tubing that would work for legs....

Thanks guys. Your suggestions were just the sort of thing I was looking for.

[mb_welder]

tack em all together and call it art!

Not bend test related, but similar...
I did that with scrap cut-off at a long ago previous job. Scrap cut off from fuel tank brackets, I made a pyramid out of them, and labelled it "mount scrapmore" on the bench with a paint marker...I made a "frank" as well, but don't ask me to explain that...

Bend test related, back in "c" level, we had to tack two bend coupon's to a plate, and then triple pass weld around them overhead with 7018 I believe.

A_DAB...holy F**k, I've never seen so many bend tests in one picture.

[mwccwi]

use'em for handel holder on homemade gang/tool boxes

:blush: wanted to post a picture, but can't figure it out

[qaqc]

i have a couple of these that had failed. I cut and polished, then mounted in Lucite. Makes a cool paper weight.

[A_DAB_will_do]

A_DAB...holy F**k, I've never seen so many bend tests in one picture.

That picture shows straps from about 30 bend tests; which is most of the practical exams I took at Hobart. There are some more pieces, welds on stainless steel, titanium, and aluminum that I didn't include. I took 9.5 months of classes in Hobarts combined structural and pipewelding program. That's about 38 weeks, so figure on 1 test per week, on average... horizontal(vertical, and overhead welds for Oxy, TIG, Stick, MIG, and TIG/Stick combo...

I've spent a lot of time in school over my 37 years...5 years of college...numerous professional seminars and short courses...and I have to say that, overall, the program at Hobart was the best educational experience I've ever had. No BS, lots of hands on instruction. Realistic testing that really does improve your confidence when it comes to taking welding tests. Like all schools, they could use more practical material in their cirriculum. But that would also take away from the hands on welding training. Also like most schools, you get out of it what you put into it...asking the instructors for advice and explanations on the side, above and beyond what's covered in the basic class materials, is always good; and it's well received by the instructors at Hobart. 'Nuff of a sales pitch...

[Oldtimer]

I like the sundisc idea and really like the clock .You can find battery powered clock movements at Hobby Lobby and Wally- World for not much money but they seem to wear out in a few years. I ordered one from Brookstone about 25 years ago that was made in the USA and it is still keeping time today. Have no idea if they are still available.

[A_DAB_will_do]

Thanks oldtimer...I'll check Hobby lobby as I know where there's one in my neck of the woods. Think I'll also do a quick search online. I'll get started on the art projects as soon as I finish the grinder stand that I'm working on. Look for pictures in a couple more days...

[snuffman]

Weld them all together put some short legs and a sheet of glass on top and you have a coffee table. If you weld them in a circle and put a bottom made of old barn wood underneath. Then take some antique tools like and old chippin hammer, torches and such with a round piece of glass with smooth edges. Ive done this with horse shoes and put bits, spurs and buckles inside.

[DSW]

I started thinking more about this. About 20 years ago my uncles made a few metal objects and gave them to family members as gifts. I can't find the key holder but I did find the clock they made.

19139
19140

Basically the made the metal face and then added the clock works to it. You could make the hands yourself.

[tanglediver]

I knew a weldor who wanted to mount his coupons somewhere on his truck rack for tie points, just smooth over the rough edges first!
I envisioned a sculpture centipede with legs made from coupons. :dizzy: {I need a nap!}
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w191/tanglediver/Bendtestpress.jpg
Da Benda!

[A_DAB_will_do]

Nice pieces of work DSW. I'll have to see what I can come up with for clock hands...

I started thinking more about this. About 20 years ago my uncles made a few metal objects and gave them to family members as gifts. I can't find the key holder but I did find the clock they made.

19139
19140

Basically the made the metal face and then added the clock works to it. You could make the hands yourself.

[A_DAB_will_do]

Tanglediver, I've seen just what you described. One of the guys I was in school with turned about a dozen bend coupons into a centipede. Turned out pretty cool lookin'. I've also seen stick figures made, but I don't think they're as interesting...


I envisioned a sculpture centipede with legs made from coupons. :dizzy: {I need a nap!}