Thanks for the reply, and for the various suggestions about stick options.

I just watched the mig welding uphill on the broken fork lift brace. Since I'm a novice to intermediate welder, a simple question: Any thoughts about why Jody (if you are there, please explain) welded that with mig instead of, say, stick?

Thanks very much for the suggestions. I'll take a look at those machines. I do feel I'm getting a better understanding of what's out there and what's needed. I've got some more time to think about what makes sense, given my situation.

Hey John, Thanks for checking in. I'm doing fine and wasn't run off. I feel right at home here, the same way I've felt since I started welding. My people (give and take). Like a big meal, I've got to take time to digest. You're right, lots of variables. I end up having to stop taking in information ...

Hello John, also Antorcha (since I said I'd be back), John, I'll go check your profile. I'm still going back and forth and trying to figure it out. Have tied myself in knots more than once. "I'll get A, yep, that's what I'll do. But what about B, it'll do C, which A can''t do? Then there's D, w...

More later . . . a full day ahead of me . . . thanks for the suggestions and general social commentary. Before I leave, you'll need to clarify something for me, 'cause I'm kind of worried about you. You wrote, "Well. The guys are here ( milk time) . . ." When it comes to cows and milk, has...

Last post. I'm not too familiar with forums, so am learning as I go. Like welding. Since this section is for member introductions . . . well, I've introduced myself. I've also asked a lot of questions. And maybe the point is that I can ask questions and find answers elsewhere in the forum. So, a co...

Dear coldman, It is late, for me. I'll get back to you tomorrow. By then it will be yesterday where you live, wherever that international date line is. I'm guessing you are in Australia. One of my all-time best friends in this life lives there. Born, I believe, in Bendigo, now near Canberra with her...

Thanks again Steve, The aluminum I'll probably have to figure out on the run. (Maybe I can find a local welder, take a few alum pieces to him/her, and ask for amp recommendations.) The male and female ends are cast aluminum, so considerably bigger than the 30' and 40' 3" and 4" diameter ex...

Also, regarding AC/DC TIG/Stick machines: Since I don't know much about TIG, I don't know how much I'd need the bells-and-whistles features . . . those pulse things, high freq starters, all those buttons on the front that aren't on the lower priced base models. Could I do 80%, 90% of the stuff those...

Hello again Steve, or anybody else who feels like chiming in . . . I appreciate the explanation. I'll probably be asking a bunch of questions a chimp could answer. (Um, that didn't come out quite right.) I've just been looking at suitcase wire feeders for MIG. I immediately like the build on them, s...

Hello Steve, Thank you for the reply. Already, my brain's got more in it than when I wrote up my first post. Add a little at a time and I should get through this without my skull exploding. You've given me an option I didn't know anything about. I'll look into your suggestions, especially that MIG o...

Hello to folks here in the WTT forum. Hello, also, to Jody and the opportunity to thank him for all his good work. I've been farming for something like thirty-, thirty-five years. Growing vegetables. I'm on a relatively small farm in Massachusetts (as compared to those of you in the mid-west and wes...