Workout today was getting the welder out here on the porch. Mission accomplished. @SkyzykS didn’t didn’t weigh quite 400lbs but it’s heavy! Either that or all that deadlifting is paying off… lol
Now, well not right now, I need to take the cover off and clean it up. We have dirt daubers here. I’m sure after all these years a few have found their way inside. All in all it looks in good shape. Just a little dirty and faded with some bird poop decorations. I bet I could plug in it and be good to go.
I am on the quest for a new helmet. What kind do you use? (I’m not laying out the big bucks for 3m speedglass or anything like that.) Any recommendations?
The old harbor freight. The black one with an electric blue tramp stamp across the top pictured in the set up in my log. I’ve melted two or three of them and just take them back every so often. I think I’ve spent a grand total of 75 dollars on the one I use and the back up one in case the other one melts in the last 15 years.
I’m not doing any more ridiculous high current/deposition rate welding, but when I did, I still fragged 2 Lincoln vikings (which I also like! The black ones.) And one Miller digital elite.
I’d like to see what you could do with some paint. A guy I used to work with had an airbrush kit and had a pretty sweet side gig going doing customized helmets.
Thanks! There is a harbor freight over in the next county. I am going to check TSC and see what they have to offer. The one MrRS has will not get small enough to fit my tiny brain box.
I had an airbrush years ago. Never had the time to really mess with, but that sounds like a fun side hustle.
@SkyzykS picked a Hobart single shade (#10) auto darkening helmet yesterday with a cheater lens… lol GLORIOUS! Amazing how much better things go if you can see and not be fighting to keep the helmet in place. Only had a couple of boo-boos today. Some of them.even looked like I could weld
That is awesome! Getting set up well can/will drastically improve your ability to make a nice weld. Not getting burned or blinded goes a looong way.
I’m sure that with your dexterity and a little arc time you’ll be laying down the weld porn in no time.
I’m in a tug of war with exclusively argon tank and new ppe.
Do you have the time or what amounts to luxury of just sitting down to work on skills rather than doing work or producing?
I call it a luxury because it’s just really nice to sit, clear the mind, and work on making some nice smooth welds without the pressure of actual work stuff weighing it down.
And cost. YIKES! I just got some estimates for a modest amount of aluminum and some steel and just about choked. And oxygen. And acetylene. Holy smokes!
Haven’t had time to just play around yet, but Imma working on it. Mr.RS gave me a bunch of 7018 rods to practice with here at home once I get things going.
Oxy/acetylene is very expensive! I have all the gauges and torches just not enough money for the gas setup. That shit is a small fortune!
I literally choked at the weld supply a few days ago. I called ahead of time to get a ballpark figure, but what escaped me was that when I said “small tank” I meant the ones about waist high.
He was taking about carrying kit sized! cost has literally tripled in the past 2 years!
If you’re used to 6010 or 6011, 7018 will blow your mind. So smooth and shiny. Using the 3/32 is like using a sharpy that lays down metal. Soooo nice.
We used 6011 today. We shall see what happens with the 7018. He said he had trouble with them. But he also said he was going to have to step up his welding game if I got any better. I know he was just being nice but some did come out pretty damn decent.
Are you wanting the oxy/acetylene to cut thick material? Or for heat? They have some pretty reasonably priced plazma cutters with good reviews now.
They need to be dried at 300 degrees for ½ hour before use. Some people even keep a toaster oven in their shop/garage. Industrial users typically have a rod oven (not necessary for small shop/infrequent/home gamers).
Then you shall smoke him.
Both. Between stuck and rusty bolts and the need to cut and re-make or reshape different things it will come in vary handy.
I was thinking about plasma too. Those things have gotten Really reasonable in the past couple years. That’s one process that used to be absolutely strictly industrial, but now it’s like, pretty damn accessible.
I hope I disagree with you LOL! Some books in the series are definitely better than others, but the authors have conjured up a real character in Mr. Pendergast.
Reading the preview of the next Kelly/Swanson series, I’m already disapointed that Kelly is not quitting her job at the Institute -seems like a weak acquiescence to the boss(wo)man, and out of step with the character as presented so far.
I hope so too. Let me know after you have read it. I will say a HUGE part of my dislike for the book came from the narrator, but the storyline is so far out there it was even weird for Pendergast.
I love special agent Penedergast, and Coldmoon was just icing on the cake. (Love the coffee.) But, where is Proctor? Diogenes?
The Kelly/Swanson books have good. I really liked Thunderhead as an introduction to the character.
If you are just looking for a good read check out The Alice Network by Kate Quinn. If you haven’t already.
cost has literally tripled in the past 2 years!