A truer (smarter) statement was never made! If you guys think you can run beads like the pros --- and not weld stuff for weeks --- then just pick up the torch and just start dabbin' dimes... WELL.... Good luck with that!

Even if you weld 3 or 4 times a week... you're not going to lay it out like someone that welds 8 hours a day, 50 weeks a year. That's MILES of welding compared to your inches. You WILL forget to turn on the gas... or you will not have the stick out correct... or you won't change your cup size to be able to reach the inside corner... and you WILL stick your tungsten in the puddle... or you won't be able to see because your hood is too dark.

Having said all of that... I personally find it very relaxing... and you can get good enough to stick some stuff together. It frees you up to THINK about how you want to do something - because once you can cut something up - now you have options... cause you can put it back together.


Here's SIEG'S next project --- a light over his table!! LOL


I have some headers that I'm thinking would be really cool - somehow connected and hanging so the flanges (and their 8 total pipe holes) would have lights shinning down or "something".



This "exhaust pipe" light (can't call it a chandelier without pissing off the little woman can we??) is in the Optima "Prime" rig.


Making things like this -- helps build your skills. And is fun.




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This isn't TIG -- or actually -- isn't welding at all.... (well - okay - there's a little) but could be if a guy wants to use the "idea" and make it differently...

A few old parts - used instead of tossed or laying in a box. LOW VOLTAGE lighting is pretty handy - bright - and easy to wire....






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Too cool! It looks like the business end of a Saturn V rocket!!!
This kind of stuff, as well as the car, are why I'm taking those classes!!!

You wouldn't be surprised if I told you I've collected misc. low-voltage lamps from discarded displays over the years for just that purpose..........and the big locomotive piston & rod, and, and, and........:D

Pulled the trigger and ordered a Miller Diverson 180 last night.... Plus some tungsten, gloves, rod etc


I also ordered one of their portable arc stations. I need a decent table and don't have the space to build a "real" welding table, so hopefully the fact that I can fold it down and store it will work out in my garage

Then I ordered up some aluminum sheet to build some stuff.... After I practice ALOT....

So the questions will start flowing soon...

Where did you order yours from? I've been thinking about getting a Tig welder.

I was going to ask who's garage but then I saw the sign. Nice shop Greg.:lmao:

Bought mine on cyberweld.com... Good reviews and price was good... About the same as some other big online vendors

Really wanted to buy at my local shop but the price difference was just too big, especially with taxes and the other stuff I ordered

Thanks. Same deal here. Local shop has the same price but I have to pay sales tax (and it's a big chunk of $$).

Dammit..got a call from the shipping company yesterday that my shipment from Miller was there...went up to the depot to get the shipment......all jazzed to play around this weekend....

And it was just the ARC station and the clamps!!! Welder wont be here until next week...

Scratch that..... The welder just showed up via Fedex!!!!! Score.....play time in the garage thus weekend :)