Johnnie C.

I just renewed my lease on my 3 bottles, Oxy/Act,and argon. I spent about $300 that not including my torch and gages wich cost about $300 as well.

Well guys I haven't comming around near as much as I use to, but I haven't gave up blacksmithing. Here are a few things that I have made in the last few days. I have posted these images in the members gallery if you want a discription. If I'm not back before Chirstmas, I wish everyone a Merry Christams and may God be with you.

I have been incorporating copper with some of the flowers I make. I neck the pipe down about 2 in from the ends and then use silver sodier to get it to hold to the carbon. You can see the flowers in the members gallery.

I use a air die grinder, its a little cheaper than a elcectric and a lot smaller. I use electric die grinder at work and they seem to be a little too big to handle sometime. The RPM's are higher on an electric than air. Another tool you may look at is a naumatic file. I have one that I use a lot. It takes a 3/8 x 13 in belt and works good for corners and such. You find them at Nothern Tool or Harbor Freight.

I usually wear dark safety glasses with I cut and O/A weld. Since you wear prescription glasses the best way to go is cutting goggles. In my oppinion they are all uncomfurtable. If you do a lot of welding I would suggest a atuo darkening lens that you can adjust the the lense darkness. I hope this helps a little.

For $75 i would give it a go. Make sure the leads are good and it welds. I use to have one and it is a workhorse. They are good welders and the price seems to be right.

I am looking for a good rounding hammer. I looked at new one but they are too pricey. I was wondering if anyone had one they are willing to sell? Weight dosen't really matter as long its in good working condition. I'm looking spend $0 - $40. Thanks Johnnie

I run a Lincoln 140 C and it works great. Its the most powerful 110 mig that Lincoln makes. I have welded up to 3/8in steel with no problems. I mostly us 75% Argon and 25% CO2 shielding gas. I prefer to use shielding gas over flux core. Gas is a lot cleaner than flux core.

I have made several flowers with copper in the center. My next copper project is going to be a table top fountain, where the water flows out of the flowers. If you try to soder copper to steel be sure to use silver soder and flux (I can't remember what kind of flux). You can see the pictures in the member gallery.

How about "The Hillbilly Deluxe"

Get use to it. Your pounding on red hot metal. I have scars on my feet (wear slip on boot they are easy to kick off), stomac, arms, and below the belt. I always thougt that was part of blacksmithing. Just consider them as battle scars.