Kent
Member
- Messages
- 9,988
- Location
- Bowland, Lanacshire,UK
As per example and it might give a few a laugh.
When I first left the trade I had about three years without picking up any kind of welding torch. Anyhow I had a boat trailer that needed changing, saw the cost of new ones and though "forget" that I can "very much" make one in a day or so.
So that is what I did using new some steam pipe and hubs etc from the old one, using a .240v MMA plant borrowed from my old firm. I used to expect all the welds to peel but this time round they needed a little help but no inclusions and all sound and neat enough. Time for the rollers to be Fabricated and fixed to the shape and height I needed, into the shop then. Leaving them the bits I had and some drawings and sizes of plates etc. I returned a few days later to find all plates , drilling done and ready for welding up. I showed my old mate were it was to be welded and how and then he pushed it back and said "you do it".. "Ok then put things were the dials were they need to for me be then" Off I set - ran off the flaming joint first run didn't I just! To much hilarity from my old colleges as only a few years ago I was just about the man on that sort of job. To be honest I found it funny also but there was nobody present who could call my work with the little portable MMA set on those steam tubes. Not a problem now mind you but it just plain took me by surprise how fast it went off and with my eyes lagging behind with body position all wrong it was an epic fail in the making, stick don't forgive these things you see and so you get set up and think it through before you ever strike an arc. I maintain basic MIG is a knack, spray arc and harder tasks a skill with a knack but Stick is a skill not a knack the knack bit only accounts for the final polish
When I first left the trade I had about three years without picking up any kind of welding torch. Anyhow I had a boat trailer that needed changing, saw the cost of new ones and though "forget" that I can "very much" make one in a day or so.
So that is what I did using new some steam pipe and hubs etc from the old one, using a .240v MMA plant borrowed from my old firm. I used to expect all the welds to peel but this time round they needed a little help but no inclusions and all sound and neat enough. Time for the rollers to be Fabricated and fixed to the shape and height I needed, into the shop then. Leaving them the bits I had and some drawings and sizes of plates etc. I returned a few days later to find all plates , drilling done and ready for welding up. I showed my old mate were it was to be welded and how and then he pushed it back and said "you do it".. "Ok then put things were the dials were they need to for me be then" Off I set - ran off the flaming joint first run didn't I just! To much hilarity from my old colleges as only a few years ago I was just about the man on that sort of job. To be honest I found it funny also but there was nobody present who could call my work with the little portable MMA set on those steam tubes. Not a problem now mind you but it just plain took me by surprise how fast it went off and with my eyes lagging behind with body position all wrong it was an epic fail in the making, stick don't forgive these things you see and so you get set up and think it through before you ever strike an arc. I maintain basic MIG is a knack, spray arc and harder tasks a skill with a knack but Stick is a skill not a knack the knack bit only accounts for the final polish
