Custom Fighter Welding School

I never thought of using stainless baking trays, genius!

I'm using a cheap carbide chop saw with a 90 tooth blade. This one. I think an abrasive saw would do better if you can tolerate the dust it creates. Mine seems to snag the tubing at the 3 o'clock mark, especially the .028 wall. I have to use a pipe to bang it back into shape sometimes. I think a horizontal bandsaw would be the right tool, but I don't have the space or budget for that. Each cut takes a few additional minutes of belt sanding and filing to be sure it is ready for welding.

I buy the tubing from Titanium Joe. Tons of selection and excellent customer service. Fast replies to emails and they always ship by the next day with FedEx with emailed tracking number. They even include the material certificate. No idea what it means or if I should care but I think it adds 5hp to my bike.

Kind of frustrated last night.

Instructor did a demo bead using filler rod. He did it at my station and I have the example in my locker. I'll take a pic tonight. His bead is very tall & narrow.

I knocked out my six beads, which I know are crappy, but I was trying to copy what he did. Wasn't until the end if the night, I realized on my own, the beads should be (convex on top and) much lower profile. Will work on that tonight.



I never liked this method of teaching. One demo with little or no explanation. Instructors and good welders all tell me the same thing. "Takes years." "Just takes lots of practice." Etc. Of course it does, with no detailed instruction. Traditional Judo dojos are the same way.

Yesterday, before school, I cut a strip of welding blanket about 1 x 3.5 feet. Folded it into a nice butt pad for the steel welding stool at my work station. Secured it to the chair with a small cargo net. Was finally comfortable for my boney ass. I think that's why the instructor demo'd at my work station.

Generic pic of the work light I'm using. Husky 1500 Lumen LED Rechargeable. So far, it's awesome. Highly recommend it.

Last night, when I came into class, the instructor called me into his office to introduce me to Jorge, the Machining Technology instructor. We talked for a few minutes. He was cool. Told him I was mostly interested in CAD design, although Machining classes would be interesting.

Tonight, I arrived early, so took a walk around campus. Saw two awnings that said: "Machine Technology" and "CAD Machining". The area is deserted. Suddenly, the door opens, and there's Jorge. Okay, coincidence. So, he takes me in and shows me the Machine Shop. Real nice. Also just rebuilt, like the welding shop. Talked until I was late for class.

Would be interesting to take the first of two manual machining courses. Checked and it's Mon and Wed nights next semester. Definitely fits my schedule. Just not sure if I need to spend that time learning about machine tools. Could be fun. I've been looking at small lathes.

Sorry I haven't posted more pics. When the instructor yells for "clean up", I always try to get one last bead in. Then I'm rushing and don't get any pics. I'll keep trying.

Still practicing beads using filler rod. I think we're doing lap joints on Mon. Just starting to get some beads that aren't too bad.

Checked out the argon purging setup at school. Just a T, off the main hose, to the TIG. I'm sure it will work, but not what I had in mind. How can you know exactly what pressure is going to the TIG, and how much pressure is bled off through the purge tube? No valve on the purge line, so how can you turn it off when not welding?

Thought a lot about it. Decided my best move was to ask the instructor if I could buy a quality regulator with dual flow meter and donate it to the school. When I'm not there, anyone can use it. He said- "Oh no, no, no." Then he said- "You get one and bring it in. I'll hook it up before every class, and take it off at the end. Keep it for yourself."

Fucking cool!

Well, the next semester starts in just over 2 weeks. Reading these books now.



Trying to get all the stuff I'll need. Only 3 hours a week per class. Glad I got 2 classes. The plan is to start using my own TIG at the same time.

Making my own lesson plan. Will find out this week what TIG I'll be using at school and look up info. Planning to start by running (low amp) fusion beads on these 1/4" steel coupons. May try some filler rod, if it goes well.



Second project will be a 3" box from 1/8" steel. Then, onto some 1/16" steel coupons.

Some average coupons to show where I'm at. Not my best. Gave those to the instructor.

Some beads where I'm trying different stuff. Circles, semi-circles, and zig-zag. Remember- oxy acetylene, using filler rod.



First time trying a lap joint, last night. Good example of my learning. Starts out lumpy, then gets better, then got too hot. (Right to left)



Will take some practice to make nice dimestacks every time. I think next week is the last for this class. Doubt I'll ever use O/A in the future, but it's a great intro to TIG. Got some experience moving the puddle and dabbing the filler rod, without having to worry about the foot pedal.