I didn't get a chance to do any work this evening, but I was doing some thinking about this. There is one other change that I did make about a week before this started. My machine came with a 10ft line for the torch, and I had pretty much wore out the hose cover, and had worn a kink in it right at t...

I was mainly asking about doing this because I was hoping to carry only one unit when I need to weld away from home. I hadnt considered the possibility of contamination.

There are chemical dips for cleaning copper that would remove the corrosion for you. Just not too sure how well the copper would hold up to repeated cleaning like that. Especially with how small the links would need to be to keep it light enough to wear for any length of time. I will be going back h...

That was my first thought, but there is no draft or air movement. I did the same thing to make sure there was argon flowing too.

Joe; If shop around at the Medieval Custom costume makers, try to find someone that will make you a "light weight" chain mail vest, but have it made from copper. But the most important thing is to make sure you keep a good ground attached to it. By doing this you are creating a faraday cag...

My TIG torch just start acting up and I cannot get a descent arc no matter what I do I need help figuring this out. Here is the best I can describe whats happening. When I first step on the pedal the arc starts but flares like there is no argon flowing. Then the arc starts pulsing and jumping all ov...

Can someone recommend a cheap/affordable Gantry kit w/o electronics for a 2x2 CNC Plasma Cutter?

Lee; I'm more afraid that even the beginners would be laughing at how I managed this... But I will try to explain how and what I did. My first step was to clamp the two pieces of square tubing to a corner square jig that I built from Angle Iron. I then tacked the four corners. When I took it out of ...

I open the big door about 6-12 inches, as well I have this fancy specially designed hole in my drywall ceiling that vents the smoke to the attic. Yes it was specially built for my size 10 foot to fit through when it slipped off a rafter :) Heat rises taking the smoke out, and CO2 is heavier than air...

I might be able to help you a little, I am on my 4th or possibly 5th attempt to arrange my Garage Shop for functionality. I am working with a 2 car garage, and thankfully my home's breaker box is also located in the Garage. My projects range from small wood toys and such to building a off road buggy...

I've got a quick question, I have an AC/DC 200amp TIG welder, and a separate Plasma Cutter, and I was wondering if it is possible to convert a TIG welder to also do Plasma Cutting? It might get old having to change out Argon for Air and such, but is it possible in a pinch?

I spent some time working/experimenting today, and I know the source of my twisting. It was coming from the order I finished the welds. I actually saw it happening.

Having seen the metal contracting as it cooled I now understand whats going on.

I am having issues keeping my projects square, and I have tried just about everything I have seen/read/hear/dreamed of with little luck. I am trying to build the chassis for an off road buggy, and need to keep everything square. I am working with .065" 1.5" steel square tubing. I'm having ...

Well I tried to make one of the smaller pieces tonight. Tried with the plasma cutter, too rough, and grinding not consistant. Tried the band saw, and after 2.5 hours I managed to be about 1/2 the way through one piece. So its off to finding someone local... If anyone on here reads this and has acces...

I know there are a lot of shops that do the work, but I would love to do the work myself if possible with the tools I have. If not possible, then I would love to find a hobbies, or a small shop to work with.

I'm no where near a full time welder, but I have been doing quite a bit over the past 6 months. I bought one that feels like heavy nylon, and is 2 pieces, one that is the collar and sleeves, and the other is the jacket that goes from arm pits to waist. I work in my Garage shop in Texas, and have wor...

I have a cheap Chinese dual voltage plasma cutter. I use it a lot on plate/sheet, and when I just want to make quick rough cuts. I wish I was better with it, and could get more accurate/clean cuts, but for me it's more of a time saver to hack metal down to rough sizes.

It's been a while since I last posted, but I find myself in need of more advice. I know this isn't directly welding, but I'm sure everyone has run into this. Attached are two examples of a bunch of parts I need to make for a projects I am working on. Most of the parts are either 1/8" or 3/16&qu...

Dan; Let me start, I am a beginner, and I haven't worked with 4130 yet. Please don't take my experience as anything more than a beginner experimenting and teaching himself how to do this stuff :) I am working on steel angle iron right now, but that weld looks just like a lot of my welds on mild stee...

It is carbon steel (angle iron) that I am seeing the flashing on. I'm pretty sure that the wire wheel isn't stainless, it was a cheap home depot part. I was trying to find a cheaper alternatives to the flap wheels. The flap wheels wear out pretty quick on angle and square tubing. I also have to be e...

I have a few questions about my equipment. Most important question: Last night I was welding two pieces of angle into a corner. I was welding the inside so the Argon flowed fully into the corner. I had a few bright flashes. The torch/arc was also acting kinda funny too, but I cannot describe exactly...

Im looking for some advice on how to manage temperatures. Im working on 1/8" angle welded into a frame, then 1/8" sheet welded to the frame to create a box. 28" x 35" x 2" Frame was easy. I then tacked the sheet on the inside with 1" tacks, 2 per side. flipped the piece...

I gave up on trying to weld the stainless, and moved on to other parts of the project for now. I figured that more practice with steel would help me work on hand to foot to hand coordination. Later when I return to trying this stainless I hope to be a little better at controlling the heat with the p...

I am using a horizontal band saw, and I'm not even able to read the guide so I am using a protractor to set cut angle. I don't think its blade defection causing me problems. I am pretty sure the problem has to do with clamping the angle into the vice. The vice on this thing is pretty crappy. I've be...

I'll share my experience from both sides of the fence (employee turned owner). Briefly about myself, I am a Computer Programmer, and have been since '78. I started my own company in 2000. With that said, the last 10 +/- years of being an employee, I always felt like I knew more than management, and ...