Men in sheds have all the answers
So these two lads came up with a solution to the oil spill that’s in the gulf right now.
Haven’t heard about this oil spill? Have a quick read and get back to me.
Caught up? Good.
Now on to my point. These Guys came up with an innovative solution to the problem.
Hay. Pure and simple.
If you don’t fancy heading over to the page to watch the video, here it is.
So it’s like I’ve been saying all along – Men in sheds will save the world, and they’ll get it done today with duct tape, hope, dollar store tools… and hay.
The deadline has passed and so have I
Now, bear with me here.
Both of the welding tests have to be evaluated before they are sent to the certification board so I can get my papers.
I was waiting for a phone call today, and if I did not receive a phone call, I was to assume that I had passed the evaluation and my pieces were winging their way to FETAC so they can send me my papers.
Man I am happy as hell. I love passing tests.
Welding by Gaslight 15
Welcome to the last post of The Gaslight Welder.
It’s been a fun ride, and it turns out that I love welding.
It’s hard on the back, it’s hot, it’s dirty, it requires a lot concentration…
However I have no desire to unlearn what I have learned and if it gets me a job; all the better.
Hit the jump for the picture of the second test piece.
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[Arc] Welding by Gaslight 14
This look familiar by any chance? If you’re a regular reader you’ll realize that this is the standard Arc welding test from Fas. And this time I’m happier with the outcome. Feeling good about it this time.
[Arc] Welding by Gaslight 13
So I did all of my exercises for the day so I started playing around.
I welded four piece together to make a box section, then I welder that to flat plate.
Unlike gas welding, you only get one shot at an arc weld.
I nailed every weld on the above picture. Water tight and everything.
[Arc] Welding by Gaslight 12
Doesn’t it look like I’m welding with pure silver?
Those are some fine welds there.
It’s just like riding a bike, you never forget. Just need a little practice.
Right back on that Iron Horse
Remember this?
Well The Mad Welder is back.
I’m back arc welding again. Man, I much prefer arc welding.
Tomorrow, some pics of my progress. Getting close to the end now.
Welding by Gaslight 11
These are the pieces that I made today. The were my mock pieces for the test. During the test I’ll be making pieces just like those. Wish me luck, I finish up on Friday week.
There’s a surprise between now and then, stay tuned.
Welding by Gaslight 10
I know this looks like things you can make with a “My first welder” kit, but these are examples of the three basic things that are done with gas welding.
On the left is a box section which is made by welding together four pieces of steel at the corners.
The middle is a butt weld, which I’ve talked about before.
On the right there is a T joint, which I talked about in the last post.
Everyone should try to learn one new skill every year. At least one per year.
Specialization is for insects.
Welding by Gaslight 9
The T-joint. So called, because it looks like a T.
Weld both sides, and make it look good.
I love acquiring new skills.
Welding by Gaslight 8
The latest thing is seamless welds. You have to achieve full penetration of molten steel right to the bottom of the joint. You can do a visual check for this, but to really be sure you have to cut the piece in half and inspect the weld.
I think that’s a pass.
Welding by Gaslight 7
Check it out. I welded a piece of pipe to a piece of plate, and the weld is water tight. It’s water tight, which generally means it’s gas-tight. And that’s what we’re looking for.
Tune in for more progress.
Welding by Gaslight 6
You know…. sometimes it’s just not going your way and you can’t seem to get it together.
So occasionally you make your own fun.
Welding by Gaslight 5
Here is the progression that I’ve been making since I started ths course.
The joint on the left is a lap joint: connection two offset pieces by welding the edge of one to the middle of the other while both are parallel.
The middle joint is a fillet weld: two pieces connected at the edges at a 90 degree angle, or whichever angle is necessary.
The right joint is a T-joint: the edge of one piece connected to the face of another at a 90 degree angle, welded on both sides. This is by far the trickiest to date because once you’ve welded one joint the nature of welding the second joint changes. There is extra metal on the other side of the joint, thus the torch has to work harder to heat the metal to make it liquid.
I shall continue to post when I make further progress. Or I may post every day, I’m not sure.
Welding by Gaslight 4
Today the subject is butt welding. Yeah, laugh it up.
Two pieces are place side by side and tack welded into place. A gap of at least 2mm needs to be left otherwise the weld won’t penetrate between the pieces, it’ll just stick on top.
It’s easy enough to do when you know how.
The Mad Industrialist Part 7
Today, we have the welding test. It’s also our final day. It was a ten week course yes – but we missed one week, and did two double weeks, so there’s only 7 posts.
I shall allow the pictures of my completed test pieces speak for themselves.
Stick welding is great, and I’ll definitely have to revisit it. Possibly as a career.
Welding by Gaslight 3
Every day I’m improving. Practice makes perfect.
Welding by Gaslight 2
It’s amazing what one can do with a little training. And this was just us practising before we got our assignment for the day.
To see that, click after the jump.
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Welding by Gaslight 1
And here, ladies and gentlemen, are my first (well the best of my first day) welds laid down using the process known as Gas Welding
The process is simple enough. The welder uses a high heat torch to melt the steel until it is molten on the surface, then a filler rod is dipped into the molten steel and it melts (with help from the blowtorch) and forms the weld.
More posts forthcoming.
The Mad Industrialist Rides Again
So before I’ve even finished my 10 day course, I’ve been accepted to a 6 week course. Unlike the last course (Manual Metal Arc Welding) this one will be Oxy-Acetylene welding.
It requires different safety gear, such as the goggles pictured below.
A picture of a practice weld after the jump.
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