New tools you've bought recently?

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I like your safety sandals...

They make it easier to access the smashed toes for first aid purposes and give somewhere for the blood to go.

You know, I re-took that picture because at first my sandals weren’t in it and I knew I needed to give everyone something to talk about…

I also was just doing a materials and tool run that day so the steel toed electrical hazard rated boots were not required and since it’s been rather warm and humid lately, comfort was the name of the game. I almost bought the Milwaukee 1000v screwdriver set but it was made in China and the Klein’s were made in the USA. Didn’t have a choice on the cutters so I went with what was available.

 

[RobbieD]

You know, I re-took that picture because at first my sandals weren’t in it and I knew I needed to give everyone something to talk about…

Try painting your toenails.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Try painting your toenails.

Does accidental overspray from spray painting things count?

 

[RobbieD]

Does accidental overspray from spray painting things count?

Only if you mask the skin around the nails . . .

. . . and don't forget to clear coat.

 

[Roert42]

I think a lot of people would be surprised about how much stuff Milwaukee is made in china.
Even stuff that is fairly cheap to make in the USA, like screwdrivers. Half the time they charge more then the made in USA stuff too.

 

[pentode]

Finally caved and got a gas bottle for my mig welder. I was hoping it would be a game changer.
Game. Officially. Changed.
Seriously, why did I wait so long? I was able to fill in all the pinholes and blow-throughs in my 24ga practice sheet. I figured if I could weld 24ga with flux core I could weld anything. Well, you can't. But you can with gas.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Finally caved and got a gas bottle for my mig welder. I was hoping it would be a game changer.
Game. Officially. Changed.
Seriously, why did I wait so long? I was able to fill in all the pinholes and blow-throughs in my 24ga practice sheet. I figured if I could weld 24ga with flux core I could weld anything. Well, you can't. But you can with gas.

I tried flux core for about 2 minutes. Having a bottle makes a world of difference. I'm still no welder... it just made me a better hack.

The price to get going with a filled bottle is pure robbery.

 

[pentode]

I tried flux core for about 2 minutes. Having a bottle makes a world of difference. I'm still no welder... it just made me a better hack.

The price to get going with a filled bottle is pure robbery.

Yep, it was about 250 canuck rubles to get the bottle including rental fees and gas. Buying was even more expensive. Which is why I dragged my feet.

Flux core seems fine on thick material. I got some pretty nice welds. Body work on cars? Fuggedaboutit.

I used to stick weld 20 years ago on an old buzzbox with pretty good results. I was hoping mig would be better. Flux core definitely has advantages over stick (and disadvantages I guess) but MIG is clearly the way to go.

To quote my fellow Canuck AvE on Youtube, "A grinder and paint makes me the welder I ain't."

 

[2drxploder]

Trash can wheel dolly thing for the shop trash cans. Highly recommend. I don't have the correct can, still big 32 gallon can. Trimmed out the bottom of cans, and a few 1/4-20 bolts w/ fender washers. I like it better cuz it sits about 2 inches lower. Post up a pic if anyone interested?

 

[SenorNoob]

They make those for 55 gallon drums too. We have a few at work. Even have one that has a handle for moving it.

 

[Uncle Gump]

We had trash can dollies at the pizzeria... priceless in that environment.

I'm gonna need a bigger shop...

 

[scotts90ranger]

Finally caved and got a gas bottle for my mig welder. I was hoping it would be a game changer.
Game. Officially. Changed.
Seriously, why did I wait so long? I was able to fill in all the pinholes and blow-throughs in my 24ga practice sheet. I figured if I could weld 24ga with flux core I could weld anything. Well, you can't. But you can with gas.

For 1/8" or bigger flux core is perfectly fine, more cleanup but good penetration but for body work yeah, hard pass after playing with it myself... I just got some gas for my welder in the last year and yeah, game changer... just be warned it's easy to make a pretty weld with gas that has no strength, super easy to just make a bunch of metal sit on top of the parent metal on bigger stuff so best bet is to preheat or just slow down...

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

This is where learning oxy-acetylene first really helps recognizing the puddle and how to control it. That knowledge crosses over to all other types of welding.

 

[pentode]

For 1/8" or bigger flux core is perfectly fine, more cleanup but good penetration but for body work yeah, hard pass after playing with it myself... I just got some gas for my welder in the last year and yeah, game changer... just be warned it's easy to make a pretty weld with gas that has no strength, super easy to just make a bunch of metal sit on top of the parent metal on bigger stuff so best bet is to preheat or just slow down...

Yes, in my initial tests trying out different settings on the machine I noticed exactly that. Aside from needing to be mindful of that, I'm actually pleased that there's margin on the cold side- with the flux core even the minimum settings were too hot.
I'm certainly no expert welder but i did get reasonably good at reading the puddle - before the days of auto darkening masks.
Really looking forward to learning and improving my skills.

 

[scotts90ranger]

If you were burning through with flux core on the minimum settings, add wire speed, I have many hours on a dumb welder (100A flux core with just high and low for voltage and adjustable wire speed), had to use wire speed to control amps opposite of a welder with both being variable...

One of these days I'll play with my torch set more but haven't taken the time other than mostly some heating stuff to bend in a long time... also one of these days I'll put the TIG torch on my Unlimited 200 and try that out...