[Greenlee]

I made this introduction too long. Simply put I have been welding over 40 years and like everyone else I started at the bottom, working my way up. I am thankful for what I have learned and don't mind sharing my skills with anyone. I still have a long ways to go and much to learn, I have never been shy about asking questions. I'm here to learn like everyone else.

[Otto Nobedder]

Welcome, Paul!

With your history, I'm sure you'll find yourself right at home here. We have people of all levels participating regularly, and one of the things that makes this a great neighborhood is the free sharing of knowledge. We have the rawest beginners right through aerospace welders, everyone in between, and everyone on the fringes and in the specialty niches, and from all over the world.

You may be surprised twice. Once with what you can share, and again with what you can learn. I rarely spend time here without learning something, and it's priceless.

Steve S

[Greenlee]

Welcome, Paul!

With your history, I'm sure you'll find yourself right at home here. We have people of all levels participating regularly, and one of the things that makes this a great neighborhood is the free sharing of knowledge. We have the rawest beginners right through aerospace welders, everyone in between, and everyone on the fringes and in the specialty niches, and from all over the world.

You may be surprised twice. Once with what you can share, and again with what you can learn. I rarely spend time here without learning something, and it's priceless.

Steve S

Thanks Steve, I just went back and deleted my original introduction thinking it was on the long side and I would put folks to sleep trying to read it all. I can see this is going to be great for me, not trying to pass out the paper towels but when I had to retire and because of the issues I was dealing with I figured it was the end for me. But I have found out that things have a way of healing with time. My Boilermaker buddy pointed me to this Forum because I was trying to figure a way to put a small work table together that would fit in the garage. I was thinking of buying an old desk and putting a top on it so I could throw things on it that I wanted to work on. I know this is getting long but I just have to explain briefly what the deal is. Heck, I'll jump to the end to make it short. I have owned a pile of welding machines in my life time. Started out with a Miller Gold Star 320 A/BP Welding Machine. What a beauty. A few years ago I picked up a 330 A/BP and had it refurbished but didn't get the unit setup, disability got in the way. I couldn't weld any more so what did I need the machine sitting around gathering dust for. Broke my heart to see these things go but in the long run it found a new home and a great owner. The first week of December I noticed a beautiful Miller 330 A/BP machine for sale on Craigslist with about 40 pictures showing all the angles. I copied and saved all the pictures listed just so I could look at it from time to time. A week or so later it was still for sale. Not surprised because the price was $1,800.00 and it would take a serious buyer to look at it. Well I was that buyer. I went and talked to the owner and found out the history behind it. Well let me back up, when I saw it I almost fell out. I'm glade I use a cane for support lol, it looked brand new, inside and out. The Miller was owned by the sellers father who had passed away in 2008. He bought the machine brand new from a local welding supply and had it shipped to Indiana where he was contracted out as a consultant. The original bill of sale was Nov or Dec or 1983 and it was shipped from Appleton, WI on Jan 28, 1984. It was complete, cart, Argon tank (bought), Bernard Cooler, 2 water cooled TIG torches, welding cable, regulator, foot pedal, thumb contactor on one of the torches, and some more welding tools to go with it. I told him he didn't have to weld with it I knew exactly what that machine was capable of but he insisted. He handed me an extra shield to look through and set it up for TIG mild steel. I was watching and when that arc appeared before me it was like new life entered my heart, I was alive again. I had no idea how much I missed my profession until God opened my eyes. Well I bought that machine and asked what the bottom line was and if it was the price he had advertised on Craigslist I was fine with it, I didn't want to short him one penny for this beautiful welding machine. He said the price he had set was $1,500.00 but he raised it to keep the lookers away. I still offered him the full price because he was a good Christian man and he shared with me what he and his wife were using the money for. He wouldn't take but I had to make sure the price was right for him, the blessing I had just received changed me entirely. I have learned in life that if you can't bless others how do you expect God to bless you. You aren't leaving this world with anything so enjoy what you have and try to bless others while your at it. It took all of that to explain why I need to build a work table, lol. Sorry for being so long winded but for years all I have done is sit at home by myself, reading about diesels, CNC milling machines, or anything that wouldn't put me to sleep. My wife went back to work when I retired to help out. I am so excited to find this Forum and talk about things that I know and relate to others in the same way. This is going to be great. By The Way, great looking bike your sitting on.

I can't wait to dive in and listen to the experts in this field and the type of space age welding they do. Thanks for the heads up, I'm looking forward to hearing from you soon.

[Mike]

Welcome to the forum.

[Greenlee]

Welcome to the forum.

Thank you Mike, I'll do my best to keep things short, I wish I had known about this forum several years ago. A lot of knowledge is shared on this forum and that's great.

[Otto Nobedder]

...By The Way, great looking bike your sitting on...

That picture was from one of my more interesting jobs when I still worked the road. It was taken at Herr & Sacco, one of the finest shops/field installation/service outfits I've ever encountered, near Harrisburg, PA.

I was contracted to help build a "cold-box" to distill Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Argon from atmosphere. AirGas was the client, and they had a huge open house. That bike was built by Orange County Choppers, though that build never made the show. The Executive Vice-President of AirGas took that picture with my camera. Here's a facebook album with a very few pictures from that build:
https://www.facebook.com/steve.scott.39 ... 309&type=3

Since you mention disability, I should tell you we have a few members with various disabilities, including some who are wheelchair restricted. Some of our discussions have revolved around improving shop conditions and access... "How do I do a weld from a chair when another man would crawl up in there?" kind of stuff. There are some very sharp minds here.

Steve S