You could get a clamp-on ammeter, and write the 'real' readings on the dial with a Sharpie. Takes two folks, one to run the arc and one to read the meter. But it's effective, although not particularly elegant.

Good point, Kym. Since self-control tends to evaporate at places like Fabtech, I guess the proper preventative is leave the high-limit credit cards at home.

Larry

Arno is definitely right about moving quickly as you cut. If you're currently free-handing a scribed line, which slows you down, you might consider making a guide so you're tracing the ID, allowing you to cut much faster. Or, you might get one of the commercial circle guides. Either way, the faster ...

The hotels on the system recommended by Fabtech have good rates. I got three nights at $59 and only $89 for Friday night. With taxes and fees it came to $392. Total roundtrip airfare from TX was only $403. So, if I stay out of the casinos, and don't drink too much Guinness, I'll have a Fabtech vacat...

So, how many of us are going to Fabtech 2016 in Las Vegas?

I'm going...it'll be my first Fabtech. Hoping to meet some of y'all there.

Larry

Hypertherm is the only way to fly, IMHO. Buy once, cry once. I agree. I was all set to buy a Chinese plasma cutter that was advertised at $100 off. But their website didn't recognize the discount, so I just said the hell with it and saved up a bit more money and got a Hypertherm Powermax 30 Air. Lo...

Love those old SA200s. Made my living with one for about a year and a half, nigh unto 20 years ago.

Anybody used this type of air filter before that can advise if suitable for filtration to plasma cutter? AT1000.jpg The filter cartridge is apparently called a toilet roll filter and captures condensed moisture. Considering that TP is designed to break down when moist, it doesn't sound like a good ...

I've got the 2015 AHP AlphaTIG 200x, with the old torch and I'm learning TIG with that. If they've upgraded the torch for the 2016 model, I'd figure it's fine to start with. I may outgrow the torch someday, and then I'll upgrade. In the meantime, it TIGs better than I do.

I was going to get a Chinese plasma cutter, but after reading and hearing all the great reports about Hypertherm products I decided to save my money and get a Hypertherm Powermax 30 Air. I'm glad I did. It's portable, no air compressor needed and I've cleanly cut 5/8" steel with it. I've never ...

You say you'll have to hire metal fab experts. Experts are expensive, and remember that the cost of an employee is greater then the annual salary. While it's an attractive idea to have a majority (or all) processes in-house, many times it's less costly to sub-out those processes that are out of your...

I looked for some TPI suggestions for band saw blades and didn't find anything here. I saw several n00b questions about band saws as well. I had a couple myself and so I did some google and I found this very short, concise, bit of info. On top of that, I just found out I would have been improperly ...

You might try the 3M Bristle Discs on mill scale.

Larry

Here's a video of Tom Lipton doing some good heat straightening:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5z7cCer ... lLIiWS9bS5

Larry

Just leave your username like it is and put your real name at the end of your post. I put "Larry" at the end of mine because that's my name too.

Larry

+1 on the flowmeter. Beats the heck out of a secondary gauge. Just do a search on Amazon for "welding flow meter" and you'll find a pile of them for <$30. The Lincoln SP 135+ is a great little machine. I bought one new about 10 years ago and have built a couple of pretty nice projects with...

Far as I know, Miller is still made in Appleton, WI.

This may be the video you were talking about, Noah.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZuq4XQTHVs

Larry

I use a Miller 252 in the shop at work. It's a great machine, no grumbles about it at all. I also have a Tweco Fabricator 211i that's my personal MIG machine, and I've no grumbles about it either. As other members have mentioned, the operator is much more important than the machine in getting a good...

If there's a short in the plug, it'll trip the breaker whether the welder is even turned on or not. I tend to suspect the machine internals, but breakers have been known to go weak over time. It'd be nice if the OP can measure the current when the breaker trips.

I'm sorry for your loss of your mentor and friend. My condolences.

+1 for Mike Holt

http://www.mikeholt.com/free-resources.php

Here's links to a couple video tests Jody did on electrodes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzEuV83UGMY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpanERwagaU

Absolutely, and back then you had to learn Morse Code .... .- ...- . / .- / --. --- --- -.. / -.. .- -.-- You do the same, my friend and -- .- -.- . / .. - / .- / --. .-. . .- - / .-- . . -.- . -. -.. / .- ... / .-- . .-.. .-.. I had a hell of a time learning the code. Even harder time re-learning ...

Custom ham radio consoles and such like. My grandfather was W9BNH, funny how I can still remember that after 40 years. And to exnailpounder.....my retirement was fun for 3 months, alright for 6 months then I was going crazy. My call is K5WLF. I was first licensed in 1966, but it expired and I got b...