Les L

That’s torsion bars to level the trailer/vehicle combo I don’t know what it’s made from but it’s tough.

A prayer said for all

I used to burn an average of 70# of flux core a day for several years, 90% of the welding was overhead and vertical, and would change tips about once a month. Sounds like you don't have enough wire sticking out and are burning it off too close to the contact tip. I kept the outer nozzle about 1/2 " out from the contact tip and ran my wire 1/2 -3/4 inch out from the nozzle. Same when running gas shield.

No, it's amazing how a small speck of it on your finger finds a way to cover half your body before you can get it off your finger.

Thanks to all for the prayers for Lyle and his family, his son, Tyler, left behind a wife and two young daughters. He will be missed by all

Will do, we have our LAMA meeting tomorrow and I should be able t get some information and will update

I was informed today that Lyle Wynn lost his son in an accident recently. I do not have any details at this time. Please keep Lyle and his family in your prayers.

I just noticed how auto-correct helped me with spelling Maque Chou. It's a great feature , but I learned to reread all correspondence at work before sending, after almost getting fired for a response to my boss that got corrected and I sent it without checking first. Sent that one from my phone and didn't catch it.

Sorry, I thought you would realize it was in Oklahoma

Look on a map, there’s only 4 S turns, google map shows details

Chris, I'll drop you a bone on where one used to be sitting, I haven't been there in a while, but knowing the gentleman who owns the place I'd bet it's still there against the wall where I used to sit on it. I was hoping I'd be able to pass by to check on it, but don't think I'll be able to make it. There is an S turn on Hwy 65, with a Quonset hut on the south side of the road half way through the S. No guarantees, but I think it's worth doing your research and taking a ride.

Jon, I would not try to harden it and temper it. I would just forge it, lay it aside to cool and use as is. You're going to use it on hat metal and that will take your hardening and tempering out.

Thomas, I know you will be missing your grandson and that he will be missing you. My dad was 26 yrs in the military and I grew up everywhere except where we considered home, but I was always thinking about the time when I could get back. One thing I missed out on was being able to learn blacksmithing from my grandfather, but I was rewarded with the travels we had during those years. The time will pass and before you know it you will be showing him how to forge a project at "his" anvil you have set up for him.

I’d weld a vertical strap on each side, at least 1/4 x2, of the beam, drill a hole and use the bolt as the pivot. Tighten the bolt to take the slack out the straps will help keep it straight also

I’m glad I don’t eat candy, I’d think about BILLY every time I went to eat a tootsie roll and have to chunk it

I've been working with some 3/16 & 1/4 flat stock and didn't have a pair of tongs that worked well with the material, but I was able to take care of that problem this weekend.

Magee Chou is good with ham also, for those that don’t eat seafood

Ausfire, great job on the crawfish, as usual. Biggun, it’s not work and doesn’t take long to eat them when done right. I can take care of 5lb in less time than a hamburger Billy, sounds like machshue, ( not spelled right but that’s how it’s pronounced)

That's not a bad auto correct, makes you think about lunch.

JHCC, I will be making one of the holders, thanks for showing us. Sometimes a solution is right in front of your face, but it's so simple you can't see it.

Billy, I'm with you on the grasshoppers. The only bug I'm going to eat on purpose is mud bugs, but I'm sure there are plenty of people that think we are crazy for eating crayfish.

I made some salt lube this weekend and punched holes in 3/8 and 1/4 plate. It did seem to help release the punch. The biggest difference was the mess I made on my anvil, where I dripped the lube before it dried on the punch, and the shop floor after I knocked my can of lube over, yeah, I'm a little clumsy at times. NO more salt lube for me, next batch will be something solid so I can pick it back up after I knock it over and continue using it.

Das, Another great project, your imagination never ceases to amaze me.

Pnut, I'm a beginner like you, so my response is based on my very limited experience, but when I took my hammer and tool class we were punching 1 3/8 and 2 1/4 round stock without lube. I think the shape of your punch may make a difference, we were using Brian Brazeal punches. I've been punching 1/8 - 1/2 since the class without lube, with no problems, but I plan on making some lube to use this weekend on project where I'll be punching several holes, I'll report back with my findings next week.

Normal house pressure for natural gas systems is 6" water column, about 1/4 lb., you can get increased pressure systems to your house, but there is added work and expense involved. You would have to check with your gas company to see what they have to offer. Like Buzzkill stated, there are blown burners working off natural gas at 6" water column.