jawno

It wouldn't be very sobering if you added beer. Without looking I'd have to say not nearly enough inches left, like twelve. Is there anyway I can add a couple dozen more? Think I'll need them to accomplish all I want to do. Actually I think this makes me want to drink a beer.

I like the second one best.

I prefer the second one as well. the first looks fine but it seems kind of top heavy and that's not something I want to see when I'm dealing with fire. The second looks like it would be hard to knock over. Simple criteria but that's my preference. I do kind of like the finish on the first better.

I have no idea but my guess is it can't be done.Definitely try a test piece first so you don't ruin your item. Most plating materials are soft like copper. Titanium is hard and highly heat resistant. Plating is a chemical process though so I don't know.

Just make sure its a 220 volt welder and not a 110. Those 110's are cheap for a reason. They make better boat anchors than welders.

watermelon roaster. Just kidding.

I'd say that looks super. You might want to check your square though. looks like it could be off a bit. Just kidding. Looks good.

If I may be so bold as to add something to this great list. Drywall is nice for the house and maybe the office as well, but for a shop I would suggest something like chipboard (not near the forge of course). This allows for adding shelves "anywhere" later on or hangers for hoses or tools. Paint it white and it will reflect the light well and make the whole workspace brighter. Unfortunately I learned of this idea right after drywalling my shop so its a do as I say not as I do type thing. Glenn presented some great idea's though and I'm going to try to implement some as I finish out the wiring and so forth.

I believe the proper name for the dimples is pips but don't quote me on that. Looks good.

:) Looks excellent. Hard to believe its not plasma cut. Well, I believe it but excellent work anyway.

I agree, 460 rpm is way too fast for a 1/2" bit in hard steel. My drill press goes down to 60 rpm which is what I do most of my drilling at. Smaller bits like a little higher speed though so 460 is about ideal for around a 3/16" bit. Also I always pilot drill large holes. 1/4" then 1/2" then 1" then 2". It may sound like more work but it goes quicker when the center of the drill isn't doing all the work. Its the outside corners of the bit that does all the work anyway. That's why I don't like too small of a step up in size. You end up just breaking off the corner of the drill and drilling back on the flutes which just burns things up. If 460 is as low as your press will go (hmm, must be a woodworker drill press) then you might consider using a large hand drill. The larger ones usually turn slow enough to work and your bit will tend to follow the pilot hole. You'll have to be careful to keep everything perpendicular to the hole but I've had good success with hand drilling large holes in the field. What you might do to keep the drill from wandering is to clamp a plate with a 1/2" hole already in it to the top of the piece you want to drill so that it follows the hole and keeps things in line. And you'll still want to pilot drill a 1/4" hole.

seems to me it would be easiest to strike the head and not the other way around.

I don't have a Clausing but would think any good working drill press would be worth around that much money. Maybe check a Grizzly Catalog or something for something similar and see what they are selling for. I paid about that much for my drill press over twenty years ago. Tools are always a good investment. One of the best purchases I've ever made. Maybe try to check it for sloppiness in the bearings. Make sure its not worn out.

Nice job. I love this kind of stuff.

Congratulations on getting things going. I like the teeth.