Any welders here?

[DieYoungStrong]

Flash burn sucks. Been there. Feels like there's 80 grit sandpaper being rubbed in your eyes.

 

[shortz]

Give me the old school hoods any day with the flip up lense. Automatics are know to go out and not darken when u strike a arc. Nothing like waking up at 2am rubbing your eyes because it feels like u have sand in them and it hurts...good old flash burn.

Few things that can help you from being flashed.

1. Get a 4 sensor auto darkening helmet
2. If it's solar powered (Does not use batteries), you need to make sure it's getting charged in direct sunlight whenever it's not in use!
3. If it's battery powered, keep an eye on the life of the batteries. If you are a heavy welder, you can go through lots of batteries.

If you weld inside, I suggest you make sure to be using a battery powered helmet. As long as the helmet is charged/fresh batteries, and it has 4 sensors, there should be no issue of flashing with a decent helmet.

 

[StrongLyfe]

A great welding project could be making a squat rack or a bench for your home gym. Square bar steel is pretty darn easy to get

 

[shortz]

A great welding project could be making a squat rack or a bench for your home gym. Square bar steel is pretty darn easy to get

That won't be for a while. Being able to weld well enough to building something that needs to be super safe and super sturdy takes a lot of practice. If ANY of my welds are weak, I could potentially get killed.

I agree though. My dad was a welder for many years. He welded tanks for a living when I was little. He made his own home gym too. That was about 35 years ago though, so he doesn't have them anymore.

 

[StrongLyfe]

That won't be for a while. Being able to weld well enough to building something that needs to be super safe and super sturdy takes a lot of practice. If ANY of my welds are weak, I could potentially get killed.

I agree though. My dad was a welder for many years. He welded tanks for a living when I was little. He made his own home gym too. That was about 35 years ago though, so he doesn't have them anymore.

That I agree with, and simple projects could be a way to get the skill necessary to build metal structures that can hold weight safely (like a bench or squat rack)

 

[shortz]

There is a welding and fab shop not far from me. I am going to ask if I can get some of their scrap metal to practice on. Only issue is, what do I do with it once I am done? lol I can't just throw it in the trash.

 

[StrongLyfe]

There is a welding and fab shop not far from me. I am going to ask if I can get some of their scrap metal to practice on. Only issue is, what do I do with it once I am done? lol I can't just throw it in the trash.

scrap metal dealers can take it

 

[HGH]

This is the bib I will get eventually.

you could probably wear this out to certain bars as well.

 

[DieYoungStrong]

There is a welding and fab shop not far from me. I am going to ask if I can get some of their scrap metal to practice on. Only issue is, what do I do with it once I am done? lol I can't just throw it in the trash.

You bring it to a scrap yard and get some beer money.

 

[RebelMuscle666]

My Hobart has been working great for years now. I use it for auto body hobbies and side work here and there. Miller and Lincoln are both good as well.

 

[sartac]

Thermal Arc is a slightly lesser known brand that I'm partial to. In case anyone else is looking for units. The Lincoln MIG units are nice, and I think they have more settings than my 220v TA. My TA TIG unit, however, has a myriad of settings... a nice little inverter box about the size of a computer case. At 180A AC/DC, it gives the big Miller TIG units a run for their money.