having some trouble guys...

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okay here is my problem,  i love welding and and everything it envolves but when it comes to fabrication,  im just lost sometimes.   when it comes to cutting and fitting sometimes i have trouble just trying to decipher my objective.   i can visualize the task at hand but i dont know if im over thinking my goal.   but when it comes to repair work and having to make something real fast to get a machine going again im fine.   is there anything out there or anything i can do to help with this?   i run my own welding business and do mainly repair work but on occassion i get the job to "create" or fab something and i just have trouble,  but other than that everything ive done for my customers on their equipment they have been more than pleased with my work and how i go about my repairs.Miller Bobcat 255Hobart 190 and spoolgunLincoln AC 225Lincoln LN-25Rock and Roll hoochie coo
Reply:Take a Geometry course at a local community college. It'll expand your vision like you won't believe.Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:I have been able to do alot of fab work and sometimes when its not coming together like I want it to. I will just google it, get some ideas and just take a step back. I also measure things 5 or 6 times and always write it down!syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Fabricator 211iBobcat 250 EFI12VS Extreme24x40 shopSOME OF THE STUFF I HAVE BUILTwww.facebook.com/gowildfabhttp://www.gowildfabrication.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by nrhmarine7I also measure things 5 or 6 times and always write it down!
Reply:I struggle with the same problem.  I have been called the "slowest worker" in a few shops.  But.... my welds & parts were always right and astheticially pleasing to the eye.The biggest help for me? Watching others do the same tasks, especially when it comes to machining parts.  You'll be blown away how many ways there is to hold a part in a two jaw vice.Miller Dynasty 200DXMiller Spectrum 250DMiller Millermatic 200Bunch of old blue dinosaurs....
Reply:If you are having trouble with a particular project, just post it on the board. You can usually get several ways of doing it pretty quick.
Reply:It all comes in time. Fastest way I know of to learn how to fab, is go to work in a fab shop for a while. Where you're building something different every few days.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:First, I am not artistic and I only took comm college welding classes and weld a little for hobby / house.  If you have a fab class nearby that would help a lot.  Wish I had done it.When I was studying for my professional license (not welding - hahahahha!) I would study then try to do the sample essay questions and I sucked.  Total loss for ideas even though I knew the "parts".  So I gave up and read the "model answer" and see what the hell it was supposed to look like.  Opened up my eyes wide.  Next step, I re-read the question and tried to answer it.  Still couldn't.  So I literally started reading the model answer while I looked at the question and tried to answer it. Better but not very good.  So I'd do it again but trying not to look at the answer.  Then I'd lay off and come back to the same question later and try it again.  Finally I got "okay" at it.Bottom line, like anything it takes watching someone do it, try it, do it again.  The more "puzzles" you work the quicker stuff comes.  You might try reading questions from folks on fabing projects that are posted here, try and figure an answer, then read the answers from other folks, then try doing it yourself.  When it's not quite right, post it up and ask for pointers.  But you gotta actually try, then "cheat", then try again.For a very few people in this world, some things come naturally.  For the rest of us, we have to have dumb a$$ grit and the humility to go ahead and fail, and try again.  Working through frustration is actually one of the highest skills a person can learn.  Stop, breath, ask for help, come back to it.Good luck and hope this helps a bit.Last edited by RodJ; 02-25-2014 at 10:32 AM.
Reply:Hacks imitate. Great artists steal outright. Google, or that old antiquated place, what do they call it??? oh... a library.  You will probably be able to find some small metal projects, key word being small so they are less expensive and if you mess up, its not a financial ruin. (all good education comes with a price)You are bound to find some step by step projects there.Look to the books for tips on how to fit the small stuff. Then as your confidence grows, try something bigger. Post pics and ask a lot of questions. I really believe we have some of the best and brightest here ready to help.Regards,RobGreat Basin WeldingInstagramBlue weldersRed weldersMy luscious Table DIY TIG Torch cooler
Reply:Take the time to study the structure of almost everything, both man-made and in nature. Imagine various structures bigger or smaller and try to visualize the forces within each piece. What pushes up? What pushes down? How braces hold from the bottom or support from the top? What forces are applied and in what direction, and are they constant? Compare the strengths and weaknesses of various shapes. Think of ways to re-purpose things. How would this structure fit into that assembly? Maybe spend some time in the scrap yard to see how stuff was made and where the design worked and where it failed and why and how would you prevent that failure or improve the design. Ask the question...find the answer.---Meltedmetal
Reply:Originally Posted by Bobcat225okay here is my problem,  i love welding and and everything it envolves but when it comes to fabrication,  im just lost sometimes.   when it comes to cutting and fitting sometimes i have trouble just trying to decipher my objective.   i can visualize the task at hand but i dont know if im over thinking my goal.   but when it comes to repair work and having to make something real fast to get a machine going again im fine.   is there anything out there or anything i can do to help with this?   i run my own welding business and do mainly repair work but on occassion i get the job to "create" or fab something and i just have trouble,  but other than that everything ive done for my customers on their equipment they have been more than pleased with my work and how i go about my repairs.
Reply:thanks evryoneMiller Bobcat 255Hobart 190 and spoolgunLincoln AC 225Lincoln LN-25Rock and Roll hoochie coo