Some thoughts on basic metal working

"johnny golden arm "I like that
I always liked trying to get the offshore pipeliners to weld on something that was not pipe and they would always say ... this is junk irion welding....

aint nuttin finer than a pipeliner....
and my favorite........ aint nuttin greater than a 798er

 

"If it ain't round, throw it to the ground.."

You a 798 hand?

 

Hell no i aint no pipeliner..

Marine salvage ... ONLY!!
nothing againt it!!! but not my thing and i dont have time to press and starch... i like my torches 3 to 6 feet long

 

The Hobart is a really solid little machine. I think Rural King is like Tractor Supply. If so ,they stock a fair amount of stuff. An excellent place to look for this stuff is the pawn shops. I've bought a lot of good tools from them over the years. As far as the welders go, a person wants to pay close attention to the stinger or the gun. How beat up is it? Run your hand down from the gun to when it goes into the machine. If you can feel any "lumps" chances are it was kinked at some point and may need a new liner. Check to see that the grooves in the feed rollers are not peened over from over tension. Does it have any wire in it? If so, release the tension roller and pull the wire through the gun and then back. It should be smooth. Make sure you can return it if it doesn't run like it should. Toss your welding hood in the truck with a small piece of scrap steel before you go. Ask to try it right there. Many places will, and it shows them you know more than they do about what you're interested in buying-helps with the haggling too

 

thats good advice there ...
I also found that cyberweld.com prices seemed pretty decent...

 

http://victortechnologies.com/IM_Up...tting Tip Chart (0056-0411 Rev B)_Jul2011.pdf

 

Welders Universe - Stick Electrode and Filler Rod Guide

 

I was wondering about using surplus garden tools to melt down and reshape into something else, preferably something sharp and pointy, but I'm thinking that since I don't know what their metal content is, maybe that's not a good idea?

 

Take up kobudo...then you just use them as is

 

While it could be done, it would be a bit labor intensive. Making at least an temp forge ect would not be worth it (IMHO) just for this project. Don't get me wrong, if you are really interested in blacksmithing/forging then projects such as this are a good way to gain experience. Otherwise, I'd talk to Bear about something with a sharp and pointy end on it

 

I'll expand on TM's comment that blacksmithing and forge work is getting the metal hot enough that is becomes malleable and can be hammered into different shapes. Melting metal to pour it into a mold is foundry work and is a whole 'nuther world of metal working. It requires far more heat than blacksmithing and involves a realm of pattern making, mold making and then casting that require a very very different set of skills and tools. Cast aluminum and zinc isn't too hard and I have done it. Casting iron and steel is like a quantum leap above those with graphite crucibles, higher temp refractories and different mold processes to deal with the much higher heat.

So far, we've now discussed a tiny bit to rather extensively several dimensions of metal working:
1. Machining - removing metal to create a shape
2. Welding - fusing metal pieces together to create a shape
3. Forging - heating metal to make it malleable to hammer it into a shape
4. Foundry - melting metal to cast it into a shape.

This has been rather enjoyable so far.
AT

 

very enjoyable ...

Althought i have never done any foundry work . I have talked to a buddy who dabbled in it a little and gathered that it could be very dangerous...
As in popping molten metal and explosions...

Also may add that most hobby metal working projects involve alchoal and may be part of y some go bad....
other peoples experiences may be different!

 

I've carved wooden moulds as a boy and melted lead down for wrist weights for runners. (This was before sandbags weights existed). I've also made boat anchors from lead, from time to time.
As for a cutting torch, @3' is as large as I've used. I like working with metals. And I like torch work, but a welder is my next large tool to acquire. I use them at work, but just have a very small buzzbox stick for home use. (No real penetration. )
I too have enjoyed the discussion.

 

Hmmmm....

 

Don't go there....
(Wrong kind of penetration)

 

This is a little above basic tools but here goes.

The tools can not only provide a source of moon lighting but also can be part of the preps. The first picture is some work I did in another life. All in my home shop and this included the MIG welding of the shafts on the motors, turning down the shafts and then using my Mill to make the key way, then turning the commutators on my Lathe and undercutting the slots in the commutators, with a special attachment on my Lathe, and off course insulation and assembly of the motors.

The second photo is a small rig I made to be able to use my Lathe to grind wheat and to have a way to make bread with the same tools I made money with.

Just call it a total plan.

HK

 

Nice thread lots of good information and insight

 

love joy coupling is a great invention..