Kevin in Napa Valley, CA

[Machine_Punk]

Good afternoon, everyone.

While I routinely work in sheet aluminum and solid rivets, exactly the same way they build aeroplanes, I find that welding would be a valuable skill for making jigs and forms for sheet aluminum parts. I call my artistic metalworking studio "The Aerodrome Studio" and I go by the moniker "Machine_Punk" on most of the forums I join.

I have learned to TIG, at the Contour Autocraft course, in Peterborough, England. I have not, until recently, had my own welder at my studio.

After much thought, and under the influence of Tinman Tech (Kent), I thought that Oxy-Acetylene should be the first welding process in my studio. I like it's versatility and relatively inexpensive initial equipment costs. So, off to CL to see what I can find used.

I ended up with a 145 cubic foot Acetylene bottle, a 130 cubic foot (M) Oxygen bottle, two Airco regulators (two stage, 8400 series), a HUGE Linde-Purox E model cutting torch, and a pretty nice bottle dolly--all for $250. Not a bad find, even if I had to drive 1 hour to pick it up.

Pretty quickly, I found a mid-sized Victor torch (a 100), for $15 on another forum.

I also picked up a Meco Aviator Jet torch, with cutting head, for about $65 on eBay.

I stopped by my LWS, and checked on prices to refill the bottles. The gentleman at the counter seemed to think my bottles were mismatched, and recommended getting a smaller acetylene bottle, or a larger oxygen bottle (my preference). My bottle dolly will certainly handle the larger bottle (thinking of the 220 cubic foot bottle).

My plans are to eventually get a Meco Midget torch, for welding sheet aluminum and small parts. Other than that, I think the mid-sized Victor 100 will be plenty for building the occasional welding table, bench, or shop fixture. I really probably won't ever do huge stuff, so I'm sure I'll need to find a new home for the Linde-Purox cutting torch...since it is built to cut up to 12 inches of steel.

Also planning on getting a gas saver.

Welding is not my day job, nor even the primary function of my metalworking hobby, but I believe it is going to be a valuable skill to have.

So, here we go. The welding adventure begins.

[weldermike]

Howdy

[rabidchimp]

Welcome, from the NW part of the USA.
-Aaron

[Machine_Punk]

Finally got a couple of pics of the welding setup I just recently purchased...



For the small sum of $250, I got:
- A 130 cubic foot oxygen cylinder
- A 145 cubic foot acetylene cylinder
- A nice cylinder dolly
- An Airco oxygen regulator
- An Airco acetylene regulator
- A HUGE Linde-Purox cutting torch (cuts up to 12" of steel)

After that, I got a Victor 100 torch body from someone here on GJ (I eventually want the Meco Midget torch, but this was a great deal on a decent medium-size torch).

After that, I found a Meco Aviator Jet torch, with a cutting attachment. These don't come up often on eBay, but I got a great deal, at about $60.

I also went down to my LWS (Local Welding Supply) and bought a few things: A welding helmet, some welding gloves, and a new, 25-foot set of hoses.

[cafyrman]

Welcome Kevin! Another transplant from GJ.

You guys here ought to see some of Kevin's rivet work. Nice stuff.

[Machine_Punk]

Thanks for the welcome, everyone!

CAFYRMAN: I appreciate the kind words. I don't recognize your user name from GJ, but based on where you live, were you one of the great folks I met at the Cuesta College Metal Meet this year? Either way, thanks for taking the time to stop by and say 'hello' on my thread.

Kev

[SWells]

Welcome, that is some nice work. I can see the attention to detail in it.

[cafyrman]

Kevin, no didn't meet you there. I've just seen your work on GJ. I am debating heading to the next Metal Meet though.

I think we chatted a little on GJ about the location of blacksmith shops on the lost coast.

John

[Machine_Punk]

Ah yes...now I remember. That shop would be worth a couple of hours' trip to go see. I was pleasantly surprised to come across the shop while on vacation.

The Santa Cruz meet is actually the closer one to me...if I get enough notice to get time off work.

Kev.

[7A749]

Cool stuff.

I do a little artsy things myself

Welcome

[Machine_Punk]

Is there someplace to see your artsy stuff, 7A749?

[7A749]

Originally Posted by Machine_Punk

Is there someplace to see your artsy stuff, 7A749?

Gonna try to post some tonite, Kevin. Been off the boards for the better part of this year.

Gotta fix a broken toilet at the moment. LMAO

[7A749]

Here's one thing already on here

http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php...light=Easy+123

Have more, gotta get some pix & post it up.

[7A749]

Here's another one.

The frame was supposed to be an 11th anniversary gift for my wife.

Found out she was still cheating on me about two weeks after the date.

Needless to say, I kept it

http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=61477

[cafyrman]

Originally Posted by Machine_Punk

Ah yes...now I remember. That shop would be worth a couple of hours' trip to go see. I was pleasantly surprised to come across the shop while on vacation.

The Santa Cruz meet is actually the closer one to me...if I get enough notice to get time off work.

Kev.

I just spent a few weeks up that way in Mendocino, but I was kind of busy with work. Spent most of my time in lovely Covelo.

[Machine_Punk]

nice looking projects! On par with stuff people are easily able to sell. Looks like you lean heavily toward blacksmithing.

Kev

[7A749]

Originally Posted by Machine_Punk

nice looking projects! On par with stuff people are easily able to sell. Looks like you lean heavily toward blacksmithing.

Kev

Thanks! I'm hoping to put a collection together soon. It's very time consuming, as I know you are aware. I still do the machine buy & sell as a major source of income, so I have to fit the art in when i have time. I really like your rivet work. Those little flowers I made centers are made from rather large rivets.


Yeah. I have a few more, but need to get Them posted up.

I do almost exclusively hot forging. I lean toward art deco & Victorian genre. Steam punk is pretty awesome too. Looks like you're into that.. Going to start some light fixtures soon..

Again, welcome.

Steve