Hello from Colombo, Sri Lanka

[Weldersaurus]

Hi All,
Just joined... Ranil Nalawansa. 37. full time ad man part time all things DIY.
got into welding about 2 years ago. Started off with a small buzz box. after a few projects and many burns later....recently upgraded to a used Mig unit.
Looking forward to picking all your brains and contributing what little i have learnt over the years.

 

[Wallace]

Welcome to the forum Ranil, what have you welded so far?

 

[Mr Fro]

Hey Ranil.

I spent a month or so trundling round Sri Lanka back in 2012. I borrowed a Tuk-Tuk from a guy in Negombo and drove a lap of the country. Beautiful country, lovely people and awesome food! :-)

I'm the same as you, recently upgraded to MIG from a buzz box - I don't post much as I'm still reading and learning... Lots of very knowledgeable people on here!

 

[julianthegypsy]

I have fond memories of working in Sri Lanka many years ago and travelled all over it. I was amazed at some of the things small workshops could produce there. I believe someone set up a business making replacement panels for Morris Minors for export. No surprise, you had great metal workers!

 

[Weldersaurus]

Welcome to the forum Ranil, what have you welded so far?

Thank you Wallace.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Portable-Barrel-BBQ-Grill/
that's one.

this is an ongoing project. UDS with a wireless thermometer, two removable side table tops...all woodwork with mahogany and graphics pyrographed in
need to finish up the coal basket and ss grill etc. i would say over 90% done.

a toy sand digger i made for little man. only bought the bicycle seat and the paint as rest was all scrap i had around me garage

garden art piece. lotsa washers. stick welding. used ss rods

have done few other small projects too. but nothing big or great as such as yet.

 

[Weldersaurus]

Hey Ranil.

I spent a month or so trundling round Sri Lanka back in 2012. I borrowed a Tuk-Tuk from a guy in Negombo and drove a lap of the country. Beautiful country, lovely people and awesome food! :-)

I'm the same as you, recently upgraded to MIG from a buzz box - I don't post much as I'm still reading and learning... Lots of very knowledgeable people on here!

that's great. my place too is very close to the beach on the route to Negombo. in an area called Hendala.
I fish and sea kayak to location helps
Thank you for your kind words about our little island

 

[Weldersaurus]

I have fond memories of working in Sri Lanka many years ago and travelled all over it. I was amazed at some of the things small workshops could produce there. I believe someone set up a business making replacement panels for Morris Minors for export. No surprise, you had great metal workers!

Hi Julian
Thanks. metal working and panel beating is slowly dying as most folks now tend to replace panels instead of fixing.
but you still get the folks with nothing but a few hammers and oxy torches tinkering away.
i have friends who are into classic cars and they struggle to find good panel beaters nowadays.
cost of progress i'd say.
I too am planning to build a small english wheel just to try my hand at it

 

[Wallace]

Excellent quality projects, the wood is very impressive on the BBQ. Does the little man have to earn his pocket money digging the garden?

 

[Weldersaurus]

thank you wallace
im trying to get my son to be less hooked upto electronics, internet etc and more on being an old school man....
he's just 6 but gotta start early yeah
we take the digger to the beach and he has boatloads of fun.

 

[julianthegypsy]

thank you wallace
im trying to get my son to be less hooked upto electronics, internet etc and more on being an old school man....
he's just 6 but gotta start early yeah
we take the digger to the beach and he has boatloads of fun.

Of course ideally, he would build it, then set up an arduino and all the hardware to control it remotely via bluetooth and game controller...

 

[captain-destructo]

welcome........and wow some great projects there .....keep up the good work

 

[Weldersaurus]

welcome........and wow some great projects there .....keep up the good work

thank you. good to be here. and thank you for your comments on my work.
learning everyday and lot more to go