I was born in 1950, so I'm in the "we learned how to do it all and a bit more to keep food on the table" group. I've wrenched on cars, trucks and heavy equipment, been a residential/commercial electrician, worked in a boatyard as electrician and welder, welded for a fence and fab company, ...

Part 1:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3vwMdZuSKI

Part 2:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzPhqvQl78Y

Enjoy,
Larry

StrongHand Tools makes a line of clamps and fixturing devices for 5/8" holes.

i changed my mind and am going to get http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200609586_200609586 it is 1/8 thick so i can tack stuff without worrying about it, abit less portable but i think it will be worth it in the long run I have one of those and it's great for fitup and tacking. I'll w...

Jody has some videos about 6011

You could rent an engine hoist for the day.

I'm guessing the AHP, being an inverter machine, will have a lower draw than the Miller 211. If you have the manuals for both machines, the current draw should be listed in the specs. You're also probably right about voltage drop at the gate outlet.

I can get Lincoln Excalibur from my LWS for 2 bucks a pound.

Owning your own business can be very rewarding. You'll find, if you're successful, that you are the hardest boss you've ever had. You'll put in longer hours than ever before, and be ultimately responsible for every detail. When I had my business, not a welding business, there were times when in orde...

DLewis0289 wrote:Electric ignitors, fireworks, 12 volt battery, overhead door opener and a few relay's, you are set.

I just may have to start doing a little design work. Thanks.

That does look like fun. I just may have to give some thought to devising a similar device. Sure would be good practice.

DLewis0289 wrote:I am the king of money pissing.....a toy that shoots back at you while you are trying to shoot it.

I would dearly love to know more about that device. Such as, what are you shooting it with, and what is it shooting back at you? Looks like fun, if it's not lethal.

Larry

The Bobcat 225 weighs about 560 pounds (585with full fuel), so it can be lifted with a heavy duty engine lift that you can probably rent for $20 on the day the welder comes home. You asked about leads earlier. On my 225, I'm running this set from Northern Tool: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools...

Nice work. And great thesis subject. I had no idea that the thermal properties of the exhaust material could affect the power band. Well done.

I had to save up for a couple months to get my Hypertherm. But, I'm pretty sure I'll never need the warranty and, if I do, it'll be handled at my LWS. I get my consumables at my LWS, and there just isn't much to worry about. I've never regretted the money I've spent on good tools.

You might find this useful...

http://www.rebelwolf.com/downloads/linc ... _guide.pdf

Good luck,
Larry

Oh ok I appreciate the advice. Maybe I should look very carefully at how Jody lays down beads. Watching Jody's videos, especially how he controls and handles the puddle, is IMO the best thing you can do to improve your welding, except getting more seat time. And your seat time practice will be impr...

Nice! That's one of my favorite videos of Jody's. If any of y'all haven't seen it, here's a link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojFZ__4t7ck

Given a choice in 7018s, I'll run Lincoln Excaliburs every time. If I can't get to the Lincolns, I'll run Hobarts from TSC.

Forget which header company it was, but years back somebody was making what they called AR headers. The AR stood for "anti-reversion".

If you do use a fish plate to reinforce the crack repair, it's best to round the corners of the plate to reduce the stresses of a square corner.

Any shed is better than no shed, and you might be able to rig some kind of heater in there. Keep both you and the metal a bit warmer.

Lanse (ChuckE2009) did a video a while back comparing the AHP AlphaTIG 200x, the Eastwood Tig 200 and the Longevity Tig Weld 200sx. I forget what his conclusions were, but here's the URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oISSe0Itq7U I have an AHP and like it just fine. It performs as advertised. No g...

Jody uses a cutoff wheel. I just chuck the nozzle up in the lathe and turn as much as it takes off the end. Never bothered to try to find a longer contact tip. I like my tip just even with the end of the nozzle.

In the past, I've ordered from Welding Supplies from IOC, and from Welding Mart, and would do so again with no hesitation. However, I usually just get all my supplies at my LWS. They're nice guys, they give me great prices and it's a great place to find out what's going on in the local welding commu...