iron giant

well if you want to sell your old hammer to help fund the Hofi let me know :D

I didn't make. It just got way too pricey after all of the late fees and such. I am now, however, a member and will be attending classes in the coming weeks. I am a bit bummed about missing it but a new propane forge should perk me right up!

That turned out really nice. It looks like a day with the power hammer paid off nicely. It is always very to cool to see something through from blueprint to object. What did you make the base from?

Absolutely, I would be honored. I was just reading your "inspiration" thread and found myself nodding the whole time thinking this is it, wood, metals, my hands... I've only been wrenching full time for about four years but feel like I've repressed a huge part of me. I am a builder by nature and must create, not just fix other people's creations.

Thank you Glenn. Fortunately, or unfortunately, I have no wife or kids to contend with! It's been one of those back burner, what if, kind of things for some time now. I considered going to school but have always learned from the school of hard knocks, which tends to be much cheaper. That, and I'm still paying for my last degree (Philosophy, cough!).

I'm new around these parts but am slowly turning my auto geared Fabrication shop into a more versatile iron working shop. (creative bug finally got me again). I'll echo what has been said and hopefully add a bit more. 1. Definitely Stick to the big three companies. Consumables and product support are everywhere. They are great, reliable machines, and can be found used at an excellent bargain. See if you can't try one first. Also, check on the warranty as the Miller's may have a longer warranty?? 2. If you can wire it go 220. A 220 machine is much more versatile and can penetrate much deeper on a single pass. This is really important if you're using a thick material and only want one clean pass. 3. Personally, I would look around for a used Millermatic 175. Usually they can be had with a cart and bottle for around $600-800. Another option that many have great success with are the refurbished Hobarts. 4. I always try and weld with solid wire and gas as I find it makes a much nicer looking weld. Flux core has its place, but if you're working with clean metals in a closed environment, gas will turn better results. 5. Take a class at a JC. They are cheap and full of information. A good friend once said you can't call yourself a welder until you've put down a mile of bead... practice, practice, practice.

First and foremost a thank you to all who manage and contribute to this site. I've been lurking for some time, tossing around dreams scenarios, changes in life, the usual. I live in Davis CA, near Sacramento, and have a nice shop here where I have been doing Auto mechanical and basic fabrication work for some time. I have slowly been shifting my shop focus to cater to my seething creative side which has not allowed me to forget its there. I bought an Anvil, built a propane forge, repositioned the Hossfeld, and am re-arranging the shop to be less Auto oriented. I would absolutely love to work in someones shop for a while, or even spend a weekend with someone in the area to help me get going. All I ever hear is this is not a good time to start this kind of business... but then the greatest things are born of adversity. Regards, David