Member postings for OuBallie

As mention by Jason, rebar has got to be one of the nastiest 'metals' to machine, and only useful for concrete.

Even welding the stuff would be a nightmare I would think, as who knows what the ingredients are.

Tried rebar once but consigned it to the 'Never Use Again' list.

Geoff - Sometimes I DO learn I would let you all know

Colin,

Never a truer word spoken my Mason.

When I started the hobby I read just about all the books on speed and metal removal but soon gave up and used my eyes and ears.

With VFD now, I adjust speed to depth of cut until the swarf coming off looks right, and everything sounds right.

I'm not into production unlike JS, where his time is worth shekels.

It's a relaxing hobby innit?

Geoff - Well most of the time that is.

Steve,

I'm totally confused. So nothing new then

How did a scratch start help you Dad? It's still TIG so he would have had the same problem surely.

Rob,

I think I'm grinding my tips with too long a point, so will do shorter, and I do grind lengthwise.

Need to experiment with gas flow as 15l/min appears wasteful from what I've read, at my power settings.

No draughts in the Carport, but ready to chase leaks later today when the forecast rain hits us.

John,

BH I would give up. It's the best I've seen!

I thought my O/A was good, but compared with this it was third rate.

Must be the feminine touch.

If that was my welding I would want everyone to know and drool.

If only I could get my stick welding to produce anything other than bird droppings Feed the rod stupid!

Geoff - More TIG practice later.

Edit: Have switched to Ceriated

Edited By OuBallie on 29/04/2015 09:53:33

Thanks Bob and fizzy.

Helmet normally set at 10, but had just done second practice at 80amps. Still very much in the learning curve, unlike gas with one shade.

I am going to have to practice NOT sitting down as I will need to weld on the car, so that's going to be interesting to say the least

Second practice session just completed and although I don't normally brag, I'm more than happy with the results.

My gas welding experience is most definitely helping, but the last time I did any O/A welding was in the '80s, so it's taking time to get muscle co-ordination right. Still dipping electrodes

Using the 1/16" electrodes you really have to get close to see where that small puddle is. Another surprise.

One thing that has struck me is how slow and precise TIG is, with very little heat spread compared with O/A.

Tomorrow I will pop down to my friendly metal supplier and raid their skip/offcuts for suitable metal the same thickness as on the Austin.

Photo annotations give details:

This second photo is of a butt weld.

Photos of underside in Album.

Geoff - Feeling well chuffed.

Edited By OuBallie on 28/04/2015 17:06:14

Been experimenting holding the torch with start lever in different positions.

Photo 1 showing how I started holding, with the lever operated by index finger and I was not totally comfortable with.

Photos 2&3 show the start lever swivelled round for operation using my thumb, and this feels much better, but will carry on trying to see if I can get a better position for that lever.

Seeing it's only a limit switch, may make a foot pedal for bench work.

Photo 1:

Photo 2&3:

Geoff - Wind preventing me fixing Carport roof

Windy,

Thanks for that link, have signed up. I have been watching some of his videos.

John,

Agree about gas welding helping me with TIG.

It does, however, always make me forget to feed the ruddy rod in when doing arc. One day I may unlearn.

The control lever on my TIG torch gets in the way, but that may well be down to not finding a convenient position yet, although I do wrap the leads over my shoulders then around my right forearm, but still experimenting.

Geoff - Time for bolognese and wine

Thanks for all the comments, suggestions and encouragements, much appreciated

I do have all the safety gear, TIG gloves and auto helmet, plus I only wear cotton, no nylon in sight.

I cringe every time I watch a video on MMA/TIG/MIG and see the guys are virtually in their 'birthday suites'.

Murry, thanks for the advise on brazing. The perfect solution sometimes. What size rod, electrode and amps did you use?

Second day practice on TIG was a disaster as stupid me I kept trying with a 1.6mm electrode on a 40amp setting and spent more time regrinding the electrode tip than doing anything else, so in future, will use higher amps as I started with till I feel comfortable.

Gave up in disgust and did some work on the Seven which calmed me down somewhat, except for the ^%# different head sizes on the 5/16" BSF bolts used to secure the bulkhead/footwell panels.

Bill, your link gives me 'Server not found' error message on my iPad. Is your devise a little frame made from round bar?

Geoff - Carport roof leak back

SB5,

Your's is a little older than mine - nice!

Need to decide whether to do a paint job or just remove the horrid overpaint, but need to do some rubbing down first.

I will be starting a Thread on the Friends forum once I get going on the Ruby.

Interesting about your brazing as I have both of those accessories but not tried them yet, so will have to give them a go soon.

Did a fair bit of brazing on my racing car using O/A back then.

Considered gas welding but the USERY cost/price in the UK killed that idea.

Been reading and looking at videos, but the old adage 'Practice makes perfect' applies here.

Geoff - TIG practice after a sarnie and coffee.

Shed and Summerhouse are full.

Second Bedroom is Office/Computer Room.

Geoff - Lounge next

Geoff - TIG suggestions John?

Decided it was high time that I gave the TIG feature on my CT-312 machine a try as it would be needed to do repairs on the bodywork of my '35 Austin Seven.

Spent yesterday messing up pieces of 1.9mm MS and was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was. Can hear people shouting at the screen in disagreement.

OK I did have to regrind the electrode tip a number of times, but that appears to be quite normal for newbies.

I do however, need to do a lot more practice as the last time I did any O/A welding was in the '80s.

My gas welding experience has most definitely helped me as muscle memory allowes me to keep the electrode at a constant distance, sort off, and feeding the filler rod at the same time.

If anyone has any tips, they would be appreciated.

TIG Welding Album added.

Geoff - Google time for TIG techniques

Edit: Austin Seven bodywork is from 1.2mm to 2mm thick.

Edited By OuBallie on 23/04/2015 10:40:15

Here is my method of storing both magazines and books.

The outer edges of the shelves are supported using threaded rods running through drilled holes.

The rods rest on the bottom shelf, that itself is on the floor, with nuts and large washers screwed up to the underside of the shelves.

Geoff - Reading matter to last decades.

Smart arse!

Geoff - Nice one Les

My biggest cause of angst:

Drill chucks that mangle the bit when it jams in the work and spins in the chuck jaws.

This necessitates the use of a file or grinder to clean up the mess and get the bit to fit into its holder again.

My Makita mains drilling machine just leaves a polished surface after a drill spins.

Don't remember Albrecht chucks giving a problem, only key operated ones.

Biggest culprit is, surprisingly, my B@sch battery drill.

Geoff - This really REALLY gets on my Bristols!

My no-name vice I use in the Carport has a feature I love, and that every vice should have.

That is a Cross-handle that is held by friction so that it doesn't try to attack hand or fingers when in use.

Yesterday and this morning I've been busy modifying my Record No.1&3 and Columbian to have this feature.

Columbian below.

Very easy to do as well.

What have you done to yours?

Geoff - I feel warm at last

Jason,

Did not of course try the 'Embed' did I. Double DUH!

I do wish the web designer would give us a preview button.

JS,

Dear me!

Know how easily that can happen.

Geoff - Not sure if iOS8.3 is a good upgrade.

Neil,

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE put me out of my misery and explain how you did that.

I tried everything and nearly hurled the iPad across the Lounge.

Years ago when using Win95 I broke the MS keyboard in frustration - DUH!

Geoff - Coffee to sooth the nerves.

MichaelG,

How the blue blazes did you do the "Look" ?

I'm using 8.1.3 with 8.3 waiting to be installed.

What I hate is progress just for the sake of it or something or someone justifying their position.

Geoff - About 1/2 way through domestic duties %#^}*

Les with thanks.

With Petrifying Prisoner I tried everything and managed to get the address to appear as "Link" but no chance with a descriptive name.

iOS doesn't make it easy. Much prefer bbcode.

daveb,

Thanks for giving me the kick I needed, as I am always thinking up the most elaborate solution. Not sure if I have L but do have hollow square tube

40lbs (18kg) when I weighed yesterday I like to think that I'm aufait with the two systems, but obviously not.

The one that really gets me is when PS or kW is used for the power of cars engines, instead of proper HP.

When SA went metric they did that and it got up my nose and still does.

Geoff - You all know my thoughts about housework

It's working at last, so thought I would conclude this thread just in case someone has it in their Bookmarks.

**LINK**

Geoff - iOS doesn't make doing links easy

Edited By OuBallie on 13/04/2015 11:52:52