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METAL LAB
66 members • Free
3 contributions to METAL LAB
Oct 23 •
Jer Schmidt 2x72 Belt Grinder Build
https://jerswoodshop.com/gen-2-belt-grinder/ I found this on YouTube and Jer is super smart, and this seems super well thought out, so I purchased the plans. I have a broken mini wood belt sander and a mini disk sander, and this seems like it will replace both and allow me to super easily copy my fastest wood workflow for metal, which is: 1. laserprint, 2: glue to material, 3. bandsaw rough shape, 4. sand to the lines. So I’ll post the project here as I go along. Note: I’m a hobbyist here, and I’ll definitely take a long while to work on this project, with gaps in between.
1 like • Oct 23
Here’s maybe 2/3rds of the cutlist done. I live a few blocks from an Alro Metal Outlet, so everything here was from the “remnants” section for US $1.50/lb.
1 like • 13d
Some little progress
Oct 14 •
OPEN discussion in the comments
Comment and request a lesson on anything welding /fabrication related or give us some of your knowledge or maybe just show off something you made that you’re proud of here’s a few of my first ever sculptures
0 likes • Oct 22
I started the cut list for my belt grinder build. Should I start a project post for it? New here, not sure about etiquette.
Sep 17 •
Intro to METAL LAB
If you're here, I'll assume you have an interest in some form of metalworking. So, let's see what niche of welding or metalworking our members have found themselves in. If you're not yet in a specific field and are just starting out, I'd love to hear what you're wanting to get into and what steps you're taking to get there. I'll start. My name is Matthew, and I'm from Central Florida. I've been welding and fabricating for about a decade now, working in various fields from ambulance production to sculpting scenic and artistic pieces for amusement parks and local municipalities. I have a two-year degree in welding technology and have even gone back to school as an instructor, helping the next generation of welders and fabricators achieve their goals and enter the industry with the confidence and skills they need to go above and beyond.
0 likes • Oct 13
Hi Matthew! Hello from Cleveland, Ohio. This is all hobby for me. I have a mini lathe and mini mill (and vertical band saw), and have been doing machinist-y things for a couple years now, but I recently bought a $85 stick/fluxcore welder off Amazon (funnily enough, it cost me $495 in copper and conduit to add the outlet to my garage, so that didn't go as planned, but hey...). So far, I've only used the welder twice as fluxcore. Once to make a gate lock out of square tubing. Lots of slag voids. Once to make a manual tool rest for the lathe, and that went much better. I've been collecting parts for Jer Schmidt's 2x72 belt grinder build, and I expect this will be my first significant welding project. I've also seen some really cool found object welded sculptures. I have a hard-to-describe vision for an art project which may or may not include welding, may or may not involve found parts... not sure yet. It would be a cool thing to have done for Halloween, but that doesn't seem likely at this point. -Jason
1-3 of 3
Active 12d ago
Joined Oct 12, 2025