Made a torch hand rest for the weld table. Started on a weld positioner kit, and figured the adjustable rest would be nice for the positioner, and using on the table in general. The positioner was meant to be driven by a drill motor, but not wild about that. So working on adapting a motor drive to it. Version one was a failure, not enough low speed torque. Searching for an alternative now.

Ran a practice butt joint on some 304SS exhaust tube( 2.25" OD/.065" wall ), to get in some practice time with my new HTP Invertig 251. Could be worse, but a LOT of room for improvement. Maintaining a consistent bead profile with .040" filler is a sonofabitch! Got decent melt through at 50A, but will bump it up a couple of amps next time. The 5 cfh back purge was sufficient to prevent sugaring. Used a sharp 1/16" C-K LaYZr tungsten, and Fupa 12 cup, and 35 cfh.

Hi folks, meant to fill this out after first joining the site, but spaced it out. I've always been primarily a " I'll weld when I need to weld something" kind of guy for most of my 60 years. Started stick welding in high school and on the farm. Got into MIG and then TIG later in life. After a hitch in the USAF, I worked in telecommunications all over Alaska for 30+ years. Primarily into doing machinist work on the side, but welding a lot more after selling the mill and lathe ( preparing for our move to the "lower 48" ). With the machine work gone, welding is the new focus, and would like to up my skills. Main interest is motorcycle related welding, saving machined parts from the scrap barrel, general repair work, and just plain "making stuff". Has been a great way to spend time after retiring, and enjoying welding more and more. Also volunteer doing machine and fabrication on a steam locomotive restoration , which has been very rewarding. Sure do appreciate the knowledge shared on here. Thanks!

Just got an Optrel Crystal 2.0 hood. First time I looked through it, thought "holy shit, this is amazing!" I thought my 10+ year old Lincoln was awesome, but this thing is in an entirely different universe. Comfortable, and weighs next to nothing. The blue tint while darkened is a little weird, and will take getting used to. The optical clarity is super sharp, and the color....wow. Photo was taken through the hood. The downside is, it'll be one less excuse for why my welds suck!😀

Maybe get JD Brewer to do a quick video on his steel sawhorses? Hinge part number from McMaster-Carr would be great.

Started to pimp out my new Millermatic 255 to make it as self contained as possible. Made with scrap/offcuts, so it's a mix of steel and aluminum. The post/shelf is bolted to the mobile base, so the 255 can still be popped off the cart, and shelf is high enough that the access door clears it.