I used to be a pretty good welder. USE TO BE! I was once a certified welder in my early 20s. Took the test. Even worked in a welding shop in West Fargo for a while.
I enjoyed it a great deal. Still do if I were to weld, which I seldom do any more.
Today I had to do some repairs on the old Snowblower. It's snowing felines and canines. Piece of cake repair, or should have been.
Snowblower 18 gauge metal. Bracket I need to weld on: 10 gauge. 90 amps, 3/32nd 6013 rod, should work. Vertical welds. Not a problem.
I forgot the one thing I should have remembered. You weld into the heavier metal and draw out the pool to the lighter never actually placing the arc on the lighter materials. Welding 101.
I know that better after I blew a nice hole thru the 18 gauge. Oh, I got it fixed, It'll hold. It's not the prettiest weld I ever made.
But, It's funny how you forget. I would flunk that welding certification test today. I don't have a welder, have to borrow the neighbors. If I had one I would use it about as much as I do my skill saw. Occasionally.
I do love the look of molten metal thru the lens of a welding helmet. It is a thing of beauty.
I have a metal sculpture I want to do made of old garden tools. I've been putting it off for a long time. It's time.
Tomorrow, or maybe next week or in the spring.
Or next time the snowblower needs repair.
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