Steel frame: welding or bond'n bolt?

[dikymon]

Hello everyone

Long time lurker, finally started planning my first machine.
I plan to make a sturdy steel frame machine, and am currently doing some preliminary designing. I would like some input so i can better decide on the assembly method ill use. I have scoured the net and cnczone but haven't really found anything that would help me decide.

Choices are either welding or bond'n bolt with something like JD-weld.

My initial thought was to bond and bolt the frame together (which can be seen from the pictures attached), but how does this method compare to welding in an application such as this, where deformation is very unwelcome. This drawback is the main reason I shy from welding it together.

Question is: Can i bond'n bolt with success or would you recommend i attempt to weld it.


The images are very young, but i hope you can tell whats what anyway. It's kind of a hybrid machine, x-axis rides on top of the end "bridges" instead of a gantry.
The square tubings are is 80mm x 80mm (3.3in x 3.3in) and 6mm (0.25in) thick. Bolts are M10's 10mm (0.412in)
Dimensions of the frame are 1100mm (45.27in) long, 710mm (29.22in) wide and
580mm (23.9in) high.

[ger21]

You might want to spend some time reading this.
http://www.oneoceankayaks.com/madvac/madvac_index.htm

[andy_ck87028]

I started bolting; then I thought about bonding and bolting vs welding.

I bought a cheap arc welder and haven't looked back.

Welding is great fun....

just keep your metal min 3mm thick.

Have fun

Andy