A physically larger conductor will give less voltage drop. Voltage drop increases with the load, so if it was me, I'd get the genuine 8/3. Which I did for my extensions. Been a while since I got 'em, but IIRC they came from Welding Supplies from IOC. Decent price and good quality cables.

thanks for the suggestions. The more I look online at different models and prices and specs the more I'm trying to boil down why I want one of these things. I'd like variable voltage, but I want to keep the cost down. Basically I need the thing for when I need to do something away from my shop and ...

I have a Lincoln SP 135+ that's not made anymore that has given me great service for about 20 years. You can do a lot of good work with a 120 volt machine as long as you stay within the limits of its capabilities. Current machines include: Miller: MillerMatic 125 and MillerMatic 141 Lincoln: PowerMI...

You can get a sheepskin wrap that goes around the forehead strap. It's primarily designed to absorb sweat, but it should also work to tighten things up a bit.

A spool gun shortens the path the soft Al wire must travel. It's difficult to get the soft aluminum wire to feed properly (if at all) through the 10' to 15' liner of the typical MIG machine. For reliable wire feed and welding, get the spool gun. Otherwise, you'll be saying bad words.

Can’t get away this year, but planning on going to Atlanta next year. Enjoyed it last year in Vegas.

I've had an AHP for a couple years now. They've improved it a bit since I got mine -- wider AC frequency range and such. I didn't like the ergonomics of the supplied pedal, and got an SSC pedal for it. Other than that, no gripes at all. Good machine.

OK, good. At least you can still weld while we try to get the Lorch mystery solved.

As far as I'm concerned, steel is the perfect material for a welding shop. Sturdy, fireproof, and easy to modify as far as partitions and such. It's what I plan to use when I build my "retirement" shop.

Is this a restoration project, or is it supposed to be your primary welder? Or both?

Sometimes he refers to a stainless steel passivating fluid that's a lot quicker than Naval Jelly.

I bought a 120V MIG machine from Horrible Freight years ago. After a few weeks of frustration and saying bad words, I chunked it in the dumpster (literally) and bought a Lincoln SP-135 Plus. I still have the little Lincoln 20-some-odd years later and it still works fine. My experience with Harbor Fr...

I'm with Dave -- have a little conversation with the weasel who stole your welder and get their abject apology and your welder back. Second choice for around a grand, maybe less, you can get an AHP AlphaTIG 200x. AC/DC TIG plus stick. I paid just shy of $900 for mine, then dropped another $150 or so...

Very nice. My retirement plan is very similar to yours.

The PlasmaCam 4x4 table is just under $8k. The Arclight 4x4 table is just under $10k. I like the ability to use the hand held torch with the PlasmaCam instead of buying a separate machine torch. The Arclight comes with automatic height control standard where the PlasmaCam has it as an option (I don...

Thanks for the write up Larry, that's good information I hadn't heard yet. I am looking at the Hypertherm 85 but I'm guessing I could get away with the 65 realistically. Is there a good reason to go with the bigger machine? It just depends on how thick material you're planning on cutting. I'm also ...

At FabTech last year, I got demos of the TorchMate software and table and of the PlasmaCam software. Between the two, PlasmaCam wins hands down. The TorchMate goes through the traditional CNC workflow: Make the drawing, define the cut paths delineating between male and female, convert to G-Code, mak...

Truly sad news. So much talent and creativity in such a young man. I always loved his posts with the great projects, the outstanding welding, and the beautiful scenery. I will miss his posts, and the world will be a lesser place for the loss of his talent and skills. Rest In Peace, John.

In 1979 I was working as a draftsman in the Fleetwood plant in Riverside CA. On the morning of the eclipse, all 33 guys in the Terry/Avion drafting room walked in with our welding helmets under our arm. Come eclipse time, there's 33 guys leaning against the building with our helmets on, watching the...

My local metal supplier has a small part of their yard dedicated to scraps and drop. From what I've seen that's pretty typical. At least here in Texas.

Prayers and best wishes for Jeff. I've always enjoyed his comments and insights. Hope he's back to join us soon.

Would you be interested in a multiprocess machine like a 210mp? Sometimes it is nice to be able to stick weld stuff if it is thicker or needs more rigidity. I might be I have a Tweco (now ESAB I think) Fabricator 211i that I really like. Runs on 120 or 240, does MIG, stick, and lift arc TIG (DC onl...

I like the idea that was mentioned of using a cutting board, or any other HDPE plate. That would certainly eliminate any moisture questions.

Otto Nobedder wrote:All right, I can't contain myself.

Tonight's performance actually got a standing ovation.

I was so task-focused, I didn't realize it immediately.

What a rush!

Steve

And this is how we lose great welders to acting... Way to go Steve. You're a multi-talented man.

I like my AlphaTIG 200x. Mine's a couple years old. The new ones have more features such as wider pulse range and such. Good solid machine and a hell of a deal for the money.