New guy from AL

[andremajic]

Hey guys. Recently retired from 21 years military service and just took up welding. Lots to learn about welding and lots to practice before I get to be "good". Hope to learn a lot here and improve my skills.

Decided to retire in AL. I like it here, other than the humidity. A lot of people in Alabama are dumbfounded why a California guy would ever want to live in the South. I just tell them "I'm a political refugee!" and that is usually sufficient enough of an explanation.

My latest welder purchase was such a disappointment. I found a used ESAB welder with all the bells and whistles for a song. Got it delivered only to find 3 phase on the input plate. Such a noob mistake! I'm not too sad since I should be able to sell it locally to someone in the industrial sector and get my money back, but I sure was looking forward to using it.

I'm looking into maybe making a gas powered 3 phase generator just so I can use it. Maybe someone more knowledgeable might be able to give me some good advise? I got a lathe and milling machine which both use 3ph but I went the VFD route for those. I was thinking if I got a powerful enough gas motor, I could make a collar to connect the output shaft of the gas motor to a 3 phase motor to supply the power to the welder. Isn't that how gas welders like lincoln rangers and miller bobcats work?

I have a lifelong love or learning and get bored easily, (Oh look a squirrel) so I tend to switch back and forth from one interest to another, but I always come back full circle to my previous projects that I start eventually.

Anyways, it didn't make sense to lurk and read and not make a profile so I can post questions, etc. so that's why I'm here. Thanks!

[dusterdude]

Welcome

Sent from my LM-X420 using Tapatalk

[wb4rt]

Welcome Andre,

You will find lots of vets on this site. And there are a lot of knowledgeable guys and gals who are quick to give you good advice.

Read and look for your basic questions already answered in previous threads then post your project or question for specific advice. The Search function works pretty good.

Welcome to the forum. I hope you are welding soon!

[andremajic]

Update: Got a job as a welder for Utility trailers. It's a family owned company that's been in operation for almost 100 years. They manufacture flatbed trailers for 18 wheeler trucks. I'm super happy to be practicing what I love to do and get paid for it! They started me off making "small" parts.

My first week, all my little accessory muscles in my back, shoulders, legs, and arms were sore, from all the repetitive lifting and motions, but I finished week 2 on Friday and my body has acclimatized to the extra work. The boss ran out of raw materials to give me to make parts, so I worked on helping out the assembly line yesterday. Monday I'll be laying beads on the trailer frames.

The pay is decent for this area too, with a raise after the probation period, and every 6 months after! I'm not doing this job for the pay though. I want the experience.

[milomilo]

Nice to see you are on the road to get the experience you wanted.