No matter how much you may be tempted, DO NOT ever light a welding torch with an open flame - like a match. I saw it happen once. There was a very loud BOOM and the guys face never looked the same.
Okay, I got a new helmet for tomorrows class. It's got the large viewing port. I was having trouble looking through the "mail slot" on the other helmet. My instructer advised me to go with a #10 shade, so I'm heeding his advise. Not sure what we're doing in class tomorrow, but I'm sure it'll be fun. Oh, this morning, I had a little drive planned for my T Bucket, so I drove by school to put my helmet into my locker. The instructer was outside smoking a cig and got off checking out my bucket. people just love hot rods.
No , getting crossed eyes is what happens w/ what you're doing while you're looking at Fred's avitar dave
I use an Optrel Satellite helmet that can be set from shade 5 to 13. It reacts quickly and works via photovoltaics that use light to power the helmet. I've used the Miller helmets at work but it seems like the battery is always dead or dying in the middle of a job. I got fed up and bought the Optrel. We have had several lens failures on the Miller that were covered under warranty. I see the new Optrel helmets use batteries also.
Gas,stick, and TIG welding are basicly the same deal IMO, you make a puddle and form one piece from two. I've never figured out how to MIG weld and make it look good and make me think the two pieces will stay together, it always looks like crap on top of two pieces. Bob
Well, the end of week 4 and my welds are getting a little bit better, but I have a VERY long way to go. We're still playing with arc welding. My beads are good, but thin. I was told that I'm moving just a tad too fast. I slowed down on my last assignment and noticed the change. Then the class was over. Also, I'm aceing my Blueprint Reading class. 4.0 + bonus points for always showing my work on the math questions. The math is basic fractions and decimals, but considering I haven't been in school in over 35 years, I happy. The instructer informs me that being able to read and understand prints is a big thing. I have played around with blueprints in the past, but didn't know the proper names of what I was looking at, so my hardest class turns out to be my easiest. Go figure.
The Jalopy Journal
