cataulpa_forge1

Hey Kent WELCOME !!! ..... I am also in NJ Burlinton County in fact .... take care ED/CAT NJ

To light my coal forge I use about 6 drops of used veggie oil dripped over 3 pine cones, and dried sasafrass root that has been sliced up close to 1/2" x 1/4" discs. After the pine cones light, I usually add alittle coke saved from my last burn. Then I add green coal around the outside and in 10 mins or so she's ready for some work.

ED/CAT NJ 08088

Gentlemen, and all you other guys too:D

Thank you so much for the weath of advice. I may just look into getting a 220 outlet run to my garage.

Any one have any thoughts about the Northern Tool complany's welders? The prices seem reasonable but are they the cheep communist stuff too?

Ted

SO here's a question for the old pros:

If you were going to get a new MIG welder for you garage/forge in the making, what features would you look for and do you recommend any specific brands or models?
My limitations: 110V outlets and no talent whatsoever:D

Suggestions?

Ted
Escondido, CA

Hi Everyone, As it was explained to me for my setup ... I have a Miller MIG 185A / 220 V with .035 solid wire(40lb spool) and what they call a "Q" bottle of AR/CO2 (75/25). I had to ask when I bought my set. The gentleman told me that "at about 18 on the guage was about right. And the best way to set it right was to open the drive roller(wire won't feed), press the trigger and adjust to 18 on the gauge under flow." Yes, the gauge WILL show high when you release the trigger.... that's ok. I have never welded over 20 on the gauge and it seems to work just fine for what I do. I have been welding for about the past 12 years.
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ED/CAT NJ 08088

Hi All, Cataulpa Forge, Well, when I first fired it was near / under a Catawba Tree. I, at the time having no clue how the name was spelled. I tried to use the tree to block sunlight in the forge... Yes, I was REAL close to the tree. Let's say under.

10-15 minutes later, we looked up(a friend that got started in blacksmithin' and myself), THERE WAS NO FIRE .... BUT, on the side nearest the forge - that was in bad shape and turning brown. The leaves on a Catawba (CATAULPA ... LOL) are large and heart-shaped.

Feeling sorry for the tree and needing a name, I came up with catalpa. And I know there's no U in catawba. .... Living next to my grandmother there was this real sweet old Italian woman who, when I would visit Gram, I would go over and help. One day she said: "ya know, withoutta you I don't know what I would do...." remembering this... and thinking of what I might say in jest to a customer when they would say that there's no U in Catawba... I'd say: "Sure there is, 'Withoutta U, I'd hava no business.'" ... 'Tis true.

ED/CAT NJ 08088

I don't know how many folk here are professional welders, but I was wondering how important it is to go to school for welding? Right now I'm 27 years old and don't really have the money or time to be going back to school. I've been practicing stick pretty much every day now for more than a month and am getting fairly good at it. I don't think that I am even close to being capable of making a career out of it yet, but I was wondering if I could just learn it on my own and eventually find employment or go for the different certifications?

The amount it would cost to go to school for welding seems like it would be money better spent on welding equipment. But, I don't know the expectations or requirements in the industry, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.