Welding Tips and Tricks

Yessir! Dove in the deep end a couple days ago and trying to get my setup complete. Got the plasma cutter, welder, and a grinder, with the generator and air compressor to follow in the next 2 weeks. Sad because I can't even try out the cutter yet!

So why I'm here...Been getting the run around by a few contractors to do a metal building for me. Started pricing it all out and I can do it much cheaper AND own some kick ass tools at the end of it. Hope to meet some good people on here and look forward to combing through some threads, so I don't piss off the old guys by asking the same question for the thousandth time!

Hey DFG, welcome.

I like your approach...buy the tools, do it yourself, wind up owning the build AND some tools. Just be sure that you are careful amortising your costs, otherwise you'll wind up like me.

"Look dear, I just made a race stand for my motorcycle. Counting the tools I bought to make it, it only cost me a little over 2 grand!"




Kym

"
Look dear, I just made a race stand for my motorcycle. Counting the tools I bought to make it, it only cost me a little over 2 grand!"

Like!!!
craig

Welcome to the forum.

Thanks for the welcomes and I'll definitely be watching my costs. On another more positive note, I finally found a business that will do my slab for about 1/4 less than my previous low quote! I will hold off on the steel order until that's on the ground and mostly cured. I'm still praying to be complete NLT 1 Jan 2015. Picked up an air compressor from Lowes on sale and I'm happy with the purchase so far. I'd like to fire up the plasma tomorrow for some play time, but I may wait until my air dryer comes in. Need to find some scrap metal to do a little practice with the welder too. I'm sure I'll own that $2000 motorcycle stand soon! Look forward to getting to know a few of you and continuing my education at YouTube University!

Sounds like things are coming along well.

My air compressor (well, the one I use in the garage, anyhow) is just a little $99 job, seems to run the plasma cutter no problems whatsoever. Happily, my air dryer came bundled with my welding/plasma machine. I've already had hours of fun chopping stuff up. It's like owning your own little light sabre!



Kym