Between 265 & 485 SQ/FT Grumblebums Corner

[Grumblebum]

welds lookin great mate!

Thanks mate.

 

[Grumblebum]

That makes perfect sense. Probably a lot of us "welders" could benefit from a class from a professional. I was shown a lot of things from a neighbor that has spent over 30 years as a welder for Bath Iron Works. https://www.gdbiw.com
I do not consider myself a welder, more of a grinder.

That looks like it would have been an interesting career.

My favourite grinder implement are those flapper discs they clean things up nicely.

 

[Grumblebum]

Welding Course Week 6.

Surprise theory exam sprung on us at welding this week. Best exam I've ever had. Sit in a room together, read out the questions and we all discuss the answers!

Anyway after that bit of formality I had another run at the vee-**** welds that we did last week.

This time we took some cross cuts of them with the plasma cutter (did I say that is a cool tool?) and we got to see how the welds were holding up internally by throwing them in a massive press (same as this one but in another bay - this one had a blown seal).

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So on the first one it was to snap it right on the weld so we could see how well the "fusion" between runs was. You can see in the second pic below just the fine line between my hot runs. So in my case it appears that I had the wire feed up a bit too high on the pass as it was putting so much wire in, it was cooling it slightly and just not fused all the way to the previous run.

Interesting stuff once you get into it a bit...

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The next test was bending right on the weld after cleaning up a strip on the linisher (another cool tool that will take your fingers quite happily I dare say).

Now you can just see a crack start to appear right on the radius. This does not mean a weld is necessarily not strong - it just depends upon what the application of the fabricated piece is going to be.

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Will see if I can get some non-welding related items up tomorrow

Cheers Rod.

 

[Kenfab]

Dayyummm gb this sounds like a ****** good course very jealous they want top dollar here in adelaide for it sounds like its worth every penny!

 

[drivesitfar]

GB: I think I could take tests like that and like school a lot.

thanks for posting up all the welding pictures too.

any projects planned for your first actual welding project or maybe I missed reading that if you already said?

 

[1/2 Cup]

GB, Your course sound like it is very detailed and you will take away so much from it. Well done.

Regards

 

[Grumblebum]

Dayyummm gb this sounds like a ****** good course very jealous they want top dollar here in adelaide for it sounds like its worth every penny!

I'm enjoying it very much and I would like to keep doing the fabrication courses if I can, although they will not be free.

I think that because I've been welding a bit already I know what questions to ask about how to do something too - so getting lots of value from it.

Next we start the oxy part of the course I think.

Cheers GB.

 

[Grumblebum]

GB: I think I could take tests like that and like school a lot.

thanks for posting up all the welding pictures too.

any projects planned for your first actual welding project or maybe I missed reading that if you already said?

Hi drives, if you nip back to post #126 back on page 7, you will find where I started making my welding tables...

Cheers GB.

 

[Grumblebum]

GB, Your course sound like it is very detailed and you will take away so much from it. Well done.

Regards

Thanks 1/2

 

[anth]

Loving these welding posts GB. A very smart idea on your behalf, much better than my technique (buy a welder, watch youtube, pull the trigger and hope for the best)

I might have missed it but what was the rough cost for the course?

 

[BBChevro]

I'm loving the welding posts too GB, I have watched the plasma cutter in action at work but never used one - they are awesome.

 

[Grumblebum]

Loving these welding posts GB. A very smart idea on your behalf, much better than my technique (buy a welder, watch youtube, pull the trigger and hope for the best)

I might have missed it but what was the rough cost for the course?

Anth, this one is free currently through the North Wollongong
TAFE, they had a bunch of free short courses. I can use the credits towards a qualification if I desired. Normally I think it was around the $900-$1000 mark.

I did use your technique too when I started.

 

[Grumblebum]

I'm loving the welding posts too GB, I have watched the plasma cutter in action at work but never used one - they are awesome.

Thanks BB, the plasma cutters are a bit daunting when you first have a go but after a few turns and working out the right spot to hit the trigger it becomes just like using any other tool in the shed (at least I expect it to be that way )

Cheers GB.

 

[hewey]

Looks like a great course, hard to beat that value

 

[drivesitfar]

GB: thanks for the link to your little welding tables. WELL DONE and happy you measured twice and cut once so they fit nicely in your planned space.

our welding schools are pretty pricey that I've found. about $5,000 US for a 3 month class. I've got several neighbors that have been welding for years and have the ability to weld anything with the welders and skills they have so i'm a bit spoiled, but i'd still like to have my own set up. I WILL SOON I HOPE.

cheers and hope you had a great weekend.

 

[Grumblebum]

Looks like a great course, hard to beat that value

Thanks Hewey

 

[Grumblebum]

GB: thanks for the link to your little welding tables. WELL DONE and happy you measured twice and cut once so they fit nicely in your planned space.

our welding schools are pretty pricey that I've found. about $5,000 US for a 3 month class. I've got several neighbors that have been welding for years and have the ability to weld anything with the welders and skills they have so i'm a bit spoiled, but i'd still like to have my own set up. I WILL SOON I HOPE.

cheers and hope you had a great weekend.

Wow that is a lot of $$$. Makes it hard for one to get into a trade with that sort of expense. I thought our side of the river was getting a bit out of hand with fees and all that in the last few years.

 

[Grumblebum]

Straw Hat Tip...

My neighbour gave me this tip about 2 hats ago so this time I thought I would try it out. Basically to stop your hat fraying all over the shop, paint on some PVA glue (probably the exterior stuff would work better but I'd run out) which will dry clear. Should lengthen it's life a bit.

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Cheers GB

 

[hewey]

Nice fix on the hat, must be that welding course know-how

 

[metalhead140]

Welds are looking great, thanks for sharing! Impressive hat repair too...

 

[1/2 Cup]

Restoration at its best GB

Regards

 

[Grumblebum]

Nice fix on the hat, must be that welding course know-how

Welds are looking great, thanks for sharing! Impressive hat repair too...

Restoration at its best GB

Regards

Thanks guys, it would be interesting to see 6000 degrees hit a straw hat :

 

[Grumblebum]

Well Autumn has finally showed it's head and yesterday morning I had to call in some puppy burning grid power to boost up the solar hot water after 2 days of cold and rainy weather

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In other news we have collected some of the chicks that hatched at my sons day care a week and a bit ago as they were free for those interested, so ended up with 4 to add to the existing 2 laying hens that are waiting for me to put a new roof on their coop this long weekend. So hopefully the new ones are "chicks" so they are safe from the "oven".

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Cheers GB

 

[BBChevro]

We use hot water in the evening and the system then tops itself up (with cold water), so we have to leave the booster on all year round - otherwise it's cold showers in the morning.

It's on "tariff 33" (off-peak rate), so it's not too bad.

 

[dlcwent]

GB, after seeing how much more that welding class is offering, I have found that I need to find and sign up for one. There's a lot I could learn (like how to weld for one thing). Interesting to see how good a weld really is.

Cute lil' chicks there. They won't be that way for long.

 

[drivesitfar]

GB: I've looked at your hat pictures several times now and still amazed. I think just posting a before and after picture has many shaking their heads. looks like WAAAAAY more work than I'd do to save a hat, but guessing it was a favorite or the challenge that had you fixing yours. WELL DONE

I'm looking forward to the days of fresh eggs and solar power.

 

[Grumblebum]

Welding course week 7

Tonight we were going to start on the oxy segment, however there were too few students turn up so we started on some of the intermediate MIG course content.

Horizontal but welds...

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That top run was my best root weld of the night. Problem I'm having is trying to stand comfortably and be able to rest the gun on a glove that is not good at keeping the heat out. I did go to get a new pair of gloves today but would you believe the last pair went only an hour before I wandered in at 4 in the afternoon. Typical. Think I'll be getting some from ebay tonight.

You can sort of see where I keep stop-starting instead of doing a full run.

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Problem below is that when I tacked it up the gap between the plates was too close together so there was no penetration. Ideally it should have been about 2.4mm gap to match the root edge (the slight edge on the bevel on the plate), so more practice on this one.

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Cheers GB

 

[Grumblebum]

We use hot water in the evening and the system then tops itself up (with cold water), so we have to leave the booster on all year round - otherwise it's cold showers in the morning.

It's on "tariff 33" (off-peak rate), so it's not too bad.

Is it solar at all BB, I would have thought where you are you shouldn't have a problem for solar hot water almost all year ?

I might keep a log of how often I boost it this cool season out of curiosity.

GB, after seeing how much more that welding class is offering, I have found that I need to find and sign up for one. There's a lot I could learn (like how to weld for one thing). Interesting to see how good a weld really is.

Cute lil' chicks there. They won't be that way for long.

And it's interesting to see the stress tests on what looks like a good weld on the surface. I think it's more enjoyable to do a course this way out of interest, way more fun and there is no pressure.

GB: I've looked at your hat pictures several times now and still amazed. I think just posting a before and after picture has many shaking their heads. looks like WAAAAAY more work than I'd do to save a hat, but guessing it was a favorite or the challenge that had you fixing yours. WELL DONE

I'm looking forward to the days of fresh eggs and solar power.

Drives I wish I was that good the hat was a new one the kids picked up at the big box store for me as they knew the current one was just about had it.

Have a good weekend. GB.

 

[BBChevro]

Is it solar at all BB, I would have thought where you are you shouldn't have a problem for solar hot water almost all year ?

...

It is solar, but only when the sun is shining (IE in the daytime).

It would work if everyone showered in the middle of the day so the sun could reheat it, but that's not going to happen.
When you use the hot water after the sun goes down (doesn't everybody? ), the tank fills with cold water that doesn't get heated until the sun starts shining on it again.
The booster (on off-peak rate) is enough to ensure that we have a good supply of hot water any time of day.


Enjoying the welding updates GB.

 

[drivesitfar]

GB: now i'm going to have to pay attention to what you post because the hat trick had me fooled. i'm an old Norwegian so a little slow, but I was still trying to figure out how you fixed the hat.

some guys on here post some amazing things so it wouldn't surprise me one bit that somebody could do that fix.


i'm guessing it got caught under a lawnmower or did you open up the front to get some air in??

 

[1/2 Cup]

GB, thanks for sharing your welding updates, they are great lesson to us all.

I find you do have to get in a comfortable position to lay a weld down that is consistent right across the coupon. I always try to get into a position then do a practice pass without actually welding to ensure that when I am at the end of a weld I am not running out of reach.

Keep up the great work.

 

[Grumblebum]

sweet

Thanks chilly - almost missed you pop in there.

Cheers GB

 

[Grumblebum]

GB: now i'm going to have to pay attention to what you post because the hat trick had me fooled. i'm an old Norwegian so a little slow, but I was still trying to figure out how you fixed the hat.

some guys on here post some amazing things so it wouldn't surprise me one bit that somebody could do that fix.


i'm guessing it got caught under a lawnmower or did you open up the front to get some air in??

Sorry drives I think hewey started that little joke and I kind of ran with it. Although I just looked at the pic again and the old and new do have the same shine to them even though the old one is pretty ratty now.

Those straw hats are great for keeping the sun off when working outside as they have a nice diameter to them but it's the pinch point where you use your hand to take it off etc where it starts to fray.

 

[Grumblebum]

It is solar, but only when the sun is shining (IE in the daytime).

It would work if everyone showered in the middle of the day so the sun could reheat it, but that's not going to happen.
When you use the hot water after the sun goes down (doesn't everybody? ), the tank fills with cold water that doesn't get heated until the sun starts shining on it again.
The booster (on off-peak rate) is enough to ensure that we have a good supply of hot water any time of day.


Enjoying the welding updates GB.

I agree it definitely is an art to managing solar hot water. One problem I had was with the tempering mixing valves kept not letting enough hot through, it was barely lukewarm out the tap when it was very hot direct out of the tank.

Thanks.

 

[Grumblebum]

GB, thanks for sharing your welding updates, they are great lesson to us all.

I find you do have to get in a comfortable position to lay a weld down that is consistent right across the coupon. I always try to get into a position then do a practice pass without actually welding to ensure that when I am at the end of a weld I am not running out of reach.

Keep up the great work.

That's a good tip that I shall try.

Thanks Again.

 

[Grumblebum]

Chicken coop new roof.

A more closely garage related project today - well at least I used tools from the garage...finally replaced the rotted out roof on the chicken coop.

Ripped down a 2" x 6" into 3 and used as new roof battens.

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New corrugated iron on...

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And some stormwater pipe for a gutter and laceration to the head protection...

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Best thing is that all parts used were reclaimed from other projects past - even the roofing screws. The iron and flashing were parts of small garden shed kits that my SIL saved from the trash bin at her previous work some time ago. They were scrapped because of a scratch or damaged packaging - very wasteful IMO.

Still need to finish a new lid for the nesting box on the far end tomorrow. But at least my 2 girls in here will be dry now as the weather cools down a bit more.

Cheers GB.

 

[dlcwent]

Looks great GB. I'm all for using (used) material for a project. I don't like storing things that may or may not get used, but am always happy I did when I finally dig them out of storage and put them to use.

How cold does it get in the winter where you are?

 

[Lyndon]

Rod

Great stuff.

Whereabouts in the Gong are you? I see sports fields behind your place there.

Lyndon
Peeking out from the corner. . . .

 

[Grumblebum]

Looks great GB. I'm all for using (used) material for a project. I don't like storing things that may or may not get used, but am always happy I did when I finally dig them out of storage and put them to use.

How cold does it get in the winter where you are?

Dan it would struggle to get to 4 or 5 C here as I am only about a mile from the coast. Just a few brisk mornings here and there. As soon as you go up the escarpment and head inland a bit winter may nip down to about -2 or -3 C.

So pretty mild compared to some of the guys here.

 

[xtremek]

GB, that's a slick idea for a gutter.