Between 485 & 705 SQ/FT Bob Heine's Auto Emporium

[-Brent-]

Good GOD, Bob! If you ever want to make a grown man wince and squirm in his seat, retell that story again and then show the catheter picture. Hahaha.

Seriously, I had forgotten the one and only time I was catheterized but your story brought me back. Crazy how a person can forget something like that.

 

[Bob Heine]

I am going to say it again Bob, you are truly inspirational. Well done.

Mike.

Mike, thanks for dropping by and for the very kind words. I especially appreciate you taking time from your move to post. This is a stressful time of year and you've added moving from your longtime home to that!

Sometimes things go so well I worry. Turns out I was right to worry. I ordered the new torch from Eastwood because that's the brand TIG welder I own. They offer two #9 torch upgrades, which they differentiate by the plug material. My machine uses a metal plug so I ordered the new torch with the 'metal plug' rather than the 'plastic plug. There were no pictures of the 'plastic plug' so I thought I'd be good to go.

The new torch has a 2 conductor plug and my machine has a 5-conductor plug. I decided not to send the torch back because I plan to use it with a foot pedal control, which plugs in in place of the plug that goes to the switch on the torch. I pulled the sleeve off the torch, removed the switch and its cable and put the cover back on.

I found a gas lens seems to work better for me so I planned to upgrade the torch. I don't really need the nozzles and fittings that came with the torch so I didn't open the package until yesterday. Lo and behold, the long tungsten cap is broken. I have another but I hate paying for broken stuff so I contacted Eastwood. Maybe I'll hear from them....

 

[oldironfarmer]

Still eager to see how your invention works.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Bob, what Andy said..

I am keen to get your feed back on your foot control, I have one with my TIG but have never used it..

All the best in getting a replacement cap..

Regards

 

[Bob Heine]

Good GOD, Bob! If you ever want to make a grown man wince and squirm in his seat, retell that story again and then show the catheter picture. Hahaha.

Seriously, I had forgotten the one and only time I was catheterized but your story brought me back. Crazy how a person can forget something like that.

Brent, sorry about that. It's one of those memories that has to fade with time. There are people who live with catheters 24/7 and have to take care of the process by themselves. I recall some advertisements a year or two ago and "the eye is polished" didn't mean a thing at the time. I have a whole new appreciation and plan to do whatever is needed to avoid a repeat.

 

[Bob Heine]

Still eager to see how your invention works.

Andy, I have to design and create a mounting bracket first. I'm rummaging through my tiny scrap piles to see what I have before I go buy a chunk of aluminum.

Bob, what Andy said..

I am keen to get your feed back on your foot control, I have one with my TIG but have never used it..

All the best in getting a replacement cap..

Regards

Steve, I am going to try the new torch without the filler rod feeder first. I have some stainless exhaust tubing scraps that I've cleaned up so I can try some fusion welds. I'll let you know how the cap turns out.

I did a little grinding on a #7 ceramic nozzle that came with the gas lens kit. You can also see the stainless exhaust tubing in the background (it's 2 pieces stacked).

 

[Bob Heine]

Robert (MP&C) posted this on the "Show us your welding projects" thread after I posted the FFOTIG saga there. This looks like a great way to keep the tungsten out of the puddle, which would be a solution to holding the torch with my hook and feeding rod with my hand.

Bob, if you remember back to some of my initial attempts at TIG fusion welding, I modified the nozzle to act as a guide similar to that of a plasma cutter, and still be able to see the arc. Perhaps something like this would work for you to keep a "feed hand" open... Used roloc sanding discs to modify, but don't get the nozzle hot, take your time. If it overheats, it's done and in multiple pieces.

 

[vic m]

Bob, you might want to look at my buddy Mike Furick's site <dogfab.com>. He manufactures pyrex cups for pro weldors. Don't let the weld **** scare you away.

vic

 

[Bob Heine]

Bob, you might want to look at my buddy Mike Furick's site <dogfab.com>. He manufactures pyrex cups for pro weldors. Don't let the weld **** scare you away.

vic

Thanks Vic, I checked it out and ordered four of the #8 cups and his gas lens for a #9 torch. Should be interesting. I subscribe to the Jody Collier (Weldmonger) site and he uses Mike's cups quite often. I'll be in good company even if my results fall short.

 

[cbacres]

Bob, never know what you're going to come up with. Last place I expected to see a catherther is here.

It is one weird feeling getting one pulled out for sure. When I went in for a heart procedure, they were lacking in removing it quick enough for me. When the doctor came and left and didn't remove again, the nurse practitioner offered to do and she did it right beside my bed.

Look forward to seeing how those cups work, was thinking of ordering some for my new tig welder.

 

[rixtrix1]

Sorry to hear about your health problem, Bob! I had a lumbar laminaectomy, L2-L5 , 2-1/2 weeks ago and after being catheterized for my appendectomy 5 years ago and suffering after the removal, I hoped like mad that I wasn't cathed for the back surgery. I was elated to find no extra tubing down "there" in the recovery room, but my first trip to the restroom spoiled my elation. No fun for sure, I'll just say, "I feel your pain"!

 

[Bob Heine]

Bob, never know what you're going to come up with. Last place I expected to see a catherther is here.

It is one weird feeling getting one pulled out for sure. When I went in for a heart procedure, they were lacking in removing it quick enough for me. When the doctor came and left and didn't remove again, the nurse practitioner offered to do and she did it right beside my bed.

Look forward to seeing how those cups work, was thinking of ordering some for my new tig welder.

Craig, I share too much information but I find "There but for the grace of God go I" is a constant reminder of how precious our lives are. I'm at the age where I'm blessed for not having had heart surgery or other invasive coronary procedure.

Good to hear you had a kind and gentle nurse. Although I wasn't thrilled with the idea of pulling it out myself, I liked being able to pull it out at my speed (real slow) instead of having Otto yank it out at his speed (this will only hurt for a fraction of a second).

I too am looking forward to the new clear cups. Being able to see the arc could be good (or bad, with flash blindness).

Sorry to hear about your health problem, Bob! I had a lumbar laminaectomy, L2-L5 , 2-1/2 weeks ago and after being catheterized for my appendectomy 5 years ago and suffering after the removal, I hoped like mad that I wasn't cathed for the back surgery. I was elated to find no extra tubing down "there" in the recovery room, but my first trip to the restroom spoiled my elation. No fun for sure, I'll just say, "I feel your pain"!

Ric, thanks for stopping by. You, of all people know how trivial my health issues are. Since leaving the hospital in 1965 I have known how lucky I am, first to be alive but second to have come through with so few injuries. A missing arm doesn't hurt every day like your back did and having the use of both legs would be your sons' greatest wishes. I really do hope your back surgery gives you the relief you deserve.

If they catheterized me for my appendectomy, I was out of it and had no idea. I was supposed to have the surgery done by a young man with very tiny hands and a small incision but his partner did it instead. My wife described him as a very large elderly gentleman with huge ham-like hands who came out to tell her it went well but his scrubs looked like he had been involved in a chainsaw massacre. The infection didn't really blossom for four days. When my temperature hit 106*F they did an emergency re-opening and cleaning, followed by several weeks of me or my wife daily re-packing the opening with gauze to minimize the leakage and allow it to heal from the inside out. Had to explain to my department that I wasn't incontinent when my pants screamed I was.

 

[oldironfarmer]

Apparently the elderly gentleman thought it went well because he didn't fall asleep during surgery. I used to want older doctors, but now the worm has turned and the younger the better: they have a fresh education.

 

[NedNorton]

Bob,
Can't wait to see some kick **** Tig action! Just in case you didn't know... (Everyone is getting the same. What do you want from a construction guy? At least you folks know that if a construction guy is taking the time to say it, he means it.)

I know that I haven't been posting lately but I wanted to let you know that during the time we were in the ICU your thread, among others, help pass the time. Just thought a thank you was in order.

Cheers,
Chris

 

[Lyndon]

Bob

I think we can all be really appreciative of the fact that Chris went to such lengths to post across so many threads tonight (today).

I really believe in the power of GJ, and of having somewhere that genuine people can be real, appreciated and supported, wherever they are on this big blue globe. . . . . . I know I've really appreciated it.

More power to Chris and Jen!

Lyndon
Not sayin' anything else. . . .

 

[dlcwent]

Bob

I think we can all be really appreciative of the fact that Chris went to such lengths to post across so many threads tonight (today).

I really believe in the power of GJ, and of having somewhere that genuine people can be real, appreciated and supported, wherever they are on this big blue globe. . . . . . I know I've really appreciated it.

More power to Chris and Jen!

Lyndon
Not sayin' anything else. . . .

Well said Lyndon.

 

[rixtrix1]

Bob, I'm a firm believer in gas lenses for TIG, and especially the Pyrex ones as I need all the help to see when welding that I can get. Fortunately, my friends that let me borrow their TIGs use the clear lenses, too. I think it's just awesome that you are coming up with a solution to TIG one-handed! It's hard enough to do using both hands. Fortunately, I learned oxy/acet and stick first, then TIG, so that really helped, but I sure love the convenience and speed of my SP-175 Lincoln 220V MIG.

( I still need to read from page 38 to 55 to catch up, Bob ). [If you're watching, Lyndon, I haven't forgotten your thread, either. Got to do the last half to catch up to your.]

 

[Bob Heine]

Apparently the elderly gentleman thought it went well because he didn't fall asleep during surgery. I used to want older doctors, but now the worm has turned and the younger the better: they have a fresh education.

Andy, couldn't agree more. After I tried to poke my eye out with a stick, the oldest, most experienced and head of the eye surgery group I use told me he could do the surgery to fix what I messed up. Then he said he'd rather have his newest partner do it because it was his specialty and had done the procedure way more often. He failed to mention that his newest partner was young, I mean just got a license to drive young. Felt like I was talking to one of my grandsons. In the hallway, my wife said "I think he's pretty good because he did his specialty training at Harvard Medical School three years ago." I will have the whippersnapper fix my eye as soon as I see some hint that he's shaving.

Bob,
Can't wait to see some kick **** Tig action! Just in case you didn't know... (Everyone is getting the same. What do you want from a construction guy? At least you folks know that if a construction guy is taking the time to say it, he means it.)

I know that I haven't been posting lately but I wanted to let you know that during the time we were in the ICU your thread, among others, help pass the time. Just thought a thank you was in order.

Cheers,
Chris

Chris, thanks so much for the kind words and I have been melting some stainless tubing. If your only skill was "construction" I would be impressed. If your sheet metal fabrication was your only skill, I would also be impressed. Ditto for your pre-digital control system design and wiring skill, dust collection system skill, machining skill, automotive fabrication skill and your equipment resurrection skill. You are one of the Garage Journal renaissance men that I admire and aspire to become.

Thankfully I have only been on the other side of the ICU experience (I can't stand to see a loved one in pain). I spent most of the 4 days in a morphine-induced nap so I didn't have to entertain myself. My wife, parents and swarthy Italian next-door neighbor were the only visitors and couldn't spend much time with me. My neighbor told the nurse he was my brother so they let him in. It was like Sly Stalone claiming to be Dolph Lundgren's brother.

I'm glad my thread and the others gave you some distraction from the distress you were going through. I can only imagine the helplessness you felt, facing something so frightening with no control or contribution within your power. We go through life full of confidence that we can fix almost anything and suddenly we are powerless. I'm following your thread for many reasons and look forward to your "ramblings" and Jen's recovery.

Bob

I think we can all be really appreciative of the fact that Chris went to such lengths to post across so many threads tonight (today).

I really believe in the power of GJ, and of having somewhere that genuine people can be real, appreciated and supported, wherever they are on this big blue globe. . . . . . I know I've really appreciated it.

More power to Chris and Jen!

Lyndon
Not sayin' anything else. . . .

Well said Lyndon and I agree completely.

Well said Lyndon.

Dan (birthday boy), I took the words right out of your mouth...

Bob, I'm a firm believer in gas lenses for TIG, and especially the Pyrex ones as I need all the help to see when welding that I can get. Fortunately, my friends that let me borrow their TIGs use the clear lenses, too. I think it's just awesome that you are coming up with a solution to TIG one-handed! It's hard enough to do using both hands. Fortunately, I learned oxy/acet and stick first, then TIG, so that really helped, but I sure love the convenience and speed of my SP-175 Lincoln 220V MIG.

( I still need to read from page 38 to 55 to catch up, Bob ). [If you're watching, Lyndon, I haven't forgotten your thread, either. Got to do the last half to catch up to your.]

Ric, I too like the gas lenses. The first time I tried to use the TIG machine I was using the plain nozzle and I think the Argon was blowing the arc around a bit too much. Not knowing better, I decided to give the gas lens a try and it was like night and day.

A lot of my welding issues are just lack of smart. I was so excited to try the MP&C-modified nozzle I rushed the setup. When it didn't work well, I turned off the Argon and went to the shop to get more stainless tubing. When I sat down (I prefer to weld sitting down) to try again, I couldn't get an arc so I just kept stomping on the pedal. My smart side would have recognized lack of shielding gas causing the problem but my stupid side just wouldn't listen.

According to the post office web site, my DOG Fabrication parts will be delivered today, after we return from my wife's monthly pain doctor visit.

 

[Guster]

All with you on that Bob. Nothing worse than inner-dumbazz and inner-clumsynuts conspiring at just the time when my inner-smarts is preoccupied with something else. That is how you end up with a 2.4mm tungsten electrode through your welding glove and stuck 50mm under the skin in your hand - roughly across three knuckles. Inner-smarts finally gets back to the task at hand to take it out, remove the glove, apply pressure and turn everything off because now we have to go back to the house to clean things up a bit. Inner-dumbazz is still giggling because of the audible pop it made as the electrode came out. Inner-clumsynuts assures me I had my tetanus booster last year while I had my scalp stitched up - always important to remember these things. Unfortunately inner-dumbazz tells wifey not to worry - it is just a bit of blood and we can still go out for dinner. <sigh>

Gas lenses should really be standard nowadays. I had to hunt around for my old small standard cup for a specific purpose the other day. Even with all the stick out you can have with the gas lens I couldn't get in in position for this job - what a pain. Sliced the cup as short as it would go using a diamond disc and managed to get the job done using the short back cap

Time to POETS and start my weekend shenanigans!

 

[sublime68charger]

Nice work on the welder mods!

All the other medical stuff is very knowledgeable that I hope to never have to experience first hand.

Thanks again Bob!

 

[rixtrix1]

Thanks for your kind words earlier, Bob! A gentleman you are!

 

[HCNDM]

Hi Bob,

Still following along avidly.

Really impressed with the tig adaptions. May have to build one too.

Even with both hands tig can be a pain if you have to weld in a hard to reach corner. I solve that now by hooking up a stinger and stick welding odd angles. Your solution would negate all the reconfiguring of the machine.

As to the catheter... been there done that... I still haven't figured out why those things can't be thinner. You'd think that if we can shrink the chip process for computer chips every two years we could at least try halving the diameter of a catheter.

Niels


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[oldironfarmer]

Thanks for your kind words earlier, Bob! A gentleman you are!

+1 on that!

Bob is a true gentleman

 

[oldironfarmer]

After I tried to poke my eye out with a stick,

It's OK to be a failure sometimes, Bob. It just makes you a better person.

 

[Bob Heine]

All with you on that Bob. Nothing worse than inner-dumbazz and inner-clumsynuts conspiring at just the time when my inner-smarts is preoccupied with something else. That is how you end up with a 2.4mm tungsten electrode through your welding glove and stuck 50mm under the skin in your hand - roughly across three knuckles. Inner-smarts finally gets back to the task at hand to take it out, remove the glove, apply pressure and turn everything off because now we have to go back to the house to clean things up a bit. Inner-dumbazz is still giggling because of the audible pop it made as the electrode came out. Inner-clumsynuts assures me I had my tetanus booster last year while I had my scalp stitched up - always important to remember these things. Unfortunately inner-dumbazz tells wifey not to worry - it is just a bit of blood and we can still go out for dinner. <sigh>

Gas lenses should really be standard nowadays. I had to hunt around for my old small standard cup for a specific purpose the other day. Even with all the stick out you can have with the gas lens I couldn't get in in position for this job - what a pain. Sliced the cup as short as it would go using a diamond disc and managed to get the job done using the short back cap

Time to POETS and start my weekend shenanigans!

Guster, you make me feel so much better. I am familiar with that pop when a shaft (nail) comes out of one's flesh. Did you ruin your TIG glove (because blood stains are so hard to get out of clothing and leather)? You have given me an excellent rationale for the two additional pairs of TIG gloves I bought.

I have been using Tillman 24D TIG gloves and they are very comfortable. Robert (MP&C) recommended another brand, Black Stallion, who also offers a 24D glove. At about $11 a pair, I figured I would give them a try. I have no use for the left glove so I turn them inside out and voila, I have two right gloves. The second pair I bought was a 25D, which has a 4-inch cuff instead of the 2-inch cuff on the 24D. These Black Stallion gloves are so soft it's like you aren't wearing a glove. The double layer on the outside of the palm is a nice feature as well.

I agree the gas lens should be standard. Makes so much sense to provide a broad cloud of shielding gas rather than a narrow stream.

 

[Bob Heine]

Nice work on the welder mods!

All the other medical stuff is very knowledgeable that I hope to never have to experience first hand.

Thanks again Bob!

Sub, thanks for the kind words! Life would be just fine without these medical procedures but it's good to know they are there when you really need them.

 

[Bob Heine]

Thanks for your kind words earlier, Bob! A gentleman you are!

Ric, so nice of you to say that. I try to emulate my maternal grandfather -- I never heard him say a bad thing about anyone. His Christianity was a true love for his fellow man and not just a Sunday show. I fall far short but I do know better.

 

[Bob Heine]

Hi Bob,

Still following along avidly.

Really impressed with the tig adaptions. May have to build one too.

Even with both hands tig can be a pain if you have to weld in a hard to reach corner. I solve that now by hooking up a stinger and stick welding odd angles. Your solution would negate all the reconfiguring of the machine.

As to the catheter... been there done that... I still haven't figured out why those things can't be thinner. You'd think that if we can shrink the chip process for computer chips every two years we could at least try halving the diameter of a catheter.

Niels


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi Niels, so good of you to stop by. The whole field of welding has always impressed me but I didn't feel I could afford to try and then fail. The older I get, the more I embrace failure. If I don't try, I won't fail but I feel better just trying and not worrying. I'll never be a really good welder but that's OK -- it gives me joy to see two pieces of steel melt into one.

I suspect the catheter size is just a deterrent. If they were thin and comfortable, people like me would be walking around with wagon loads of urine-filled bags trailing behind to avoid taking biological breaks during fun projects.

 

[Bob Heine]

+1 on that!

Bob is a true gentleman

Andy, you have taught me well!

It's OK to be a failure sometimes, Bob. It just makes you a better person.

I agree Andy because all those failures makes success that much sweeter.

 

[Bob Heine]

I did play with the modified nozzle but my excitement got the better of me. I tried tacking the stainless tubing but failed on the first three attempts. Once I got a tack in place I blew it. Rather than putting another tack on the opposite side of the tube, I kept working on the same area, which opened the tight fit on the opposite side. I ended up just playing, melting the stainless.

I have known for a long time that welding stainless exhaust requires back purging but I didn't want to add a fourth tank to do it. I settled for a dual flowmeter with a single gauge. I ordered it with an additional hose so I can plumb the purge line leak-free at the gauge end. It cost me $113 but now I can TIG or MIG weld stainless exhaust with better results (hopefully). I also received a package with four clear nozzles and another gas lens (just to be sure it all fits together.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Bob, with stainless TIG welding its just practice, practice and then some.

Love the dual flow meter set up..

Regards

 

[Bob Heine]

Bob, with stainless TIG welding its just practice, practice and then some.

Love the dual flow meter set up..

Regards

Steve, you aren't kidding. If I had known it was hard I probably wouldn't have even tried. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.

I too like the dual flow meter. It's a relatively cheap way to set up a purge gas line.

 

[Bob Heine]

The reason I took up welding was to fabricate an exhaust pipe to connect a set of free ****** headers to the exhaust system on my 1972 Corvette. I had purchased a weird set of exhaust pipes that were coated with crinkle paint and had quad outlets.

The ****** headers leaked so I took them to an exhaust shop to have them repaired. They couldn't be repaired for a reasonable price so I bought a new set of Jet-Hot coated ****** headers. The Corvette wasn't registered and wasn't in condition to drive to the exhaust shop so I tried to make adapter pipes out of flex tubing.

It was impossible to bend the flex tubing enough to clear the transmission pan so I decided to start from scratch with a new stainless Magnaflow system.

I assumed the pipes that were meant to connect the exhaust manifold to the rest of the system could be cut and adapted to fit but it turned out the system was designed for a standard transmission and mine is an automatic. I started by notching the pipes and cutting them to sorta fit. I figured I could get someone to do the welding.

When I brought my cobbled up pipes to a welding shop, they gave me a price of $200 to $400 if everything went well. Might be quite a bit more so I went to Harbor Freight and bought their $89 flux wire welder. My third attempt was water tight and fit reasonably well. Unfortunately my flux wire welder only worked on mild steel so I sent the pipes off to Jet Hot and had them ceramic coated inside and out. It looked pretty good for a first try.

The system looked pretty good and I should have been happy.

Unfortunately, every time I looked at the system it bothered me that it had all those clamps and I was thinking I should learn to weld stainless steel. Things were about to go horribly wrong.

 

[oldironfarmer]

Very interesting history on your 'vette. I assume more is coming!

I'm still glad you failed at poking your eye out

 

[1/2 Cup]

Bob, I have to agree those clamps would annoy the heck out of me too.

TIG welding is a real art form, in a previous life I used to do a lot of food grade stainless welding.

All I can say is grab your self some scrap and practice, practice then some.

Make sure the piece is clean and the fit is spot on. There is a number of forums that can help you through the process..

All the best with your welds..

Regards

 

[Bob Heine]

I had this idea that my old Corvette would look more modern if it had the quad outlet exhaust in the center. I used Photoshop to make a crude concept illustration, taking the rear from this...

...to this.

All I had to do was 1) modify the fiberglass:

• Fill the original exhaust tip openings.
• Raise the license frame.
• Mold an opening for the new exhaust bezel.
• Modify a Camaro spoiler to fit the Corvette.

And 2) fabricate a bunch of stainless steel parts:

• Dual inlet/quad outlet muffler.
• Siamese single bezel.
• Header adapters.

A few minutes in the garage and I had a new look, including these bezels...

cut and joined...

...and a new rear spoiler (I felt the rear needed something to complement the raised license frame).

I also had a childish moment helped by Rian so I included a pair of electric cutouts in the rear of the system.

While I was at it (famous last words) I decided to make new header to system pipes using 3-inch stainless U-bends, 3-inch to 2.5-inch reducers and v-clamps so the system can be removed easily.

The whole system is in four pieces -- 2 head pipes, the center section and the muffler, with v-clamps on both ends of the center section.

 

[Bob Heine]

The hardest part was the muffler. I thought I could use the original pair of mufflers but I couldn't get them to line up so I cut the dual outlets off the pair of mufflers.

Magnaflow makes single mufflers with dual inlets and outlets in various sizes. I thought this would be simple....

I had to cut the dual outlets up quite a bit...

Luckily I had a lot of scraps left over from the original system so a little cutting, hammering and welding and I had these...

Lots of trial fitting, cutting, trimming and welding and I had my muffler tips tacked in place...

I managed to bridge the gap but I know these aren't very good welds.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Nice work Bob..

 

[shortykorte]

Exhaust looks good. Is this the current project on the Vette? Cutouts

 

[lakeroadster]

So Bob I take it you're not a fan of four into one side-pipes?