Random Thoughts from a welding noobie

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I don't know if this is the right place to post this or not. I couldn't find the perfect spot, since it's not a question, or a photo, or the like.It's just this:Summer last year I suddenly became interested in the industry. By chance I met Barry Beard, a 63 year old welding fabricator in Buda, TX. We met by happen-stance. A couple weeks later I walked back into his shop with my hat in my hand and said I want to learn something...... and I would like to learn something from you.......I later learned that he learned how to weld while in the big house at 34 years old. I'm 35 now. He is an expert and a professional........ and has 30 plus years under his belt. I respect him a lot.... as my own dad was in the big house.... so that takes nothing away for me......I'm now hooked on learning how to be a welder.... or fabricator.... or something other than sitting in front of a computer all god damned day.Barry offered me as much "drop" as I wanted for free. I allowed him to give me 17' of 2X2. I built a bench from it. (Pics Below)Other than that..... I now buy my metal from Westbrook Metals (a Metals4U company). Today I bought about 25' of 1/8" and another 1' of 1/4".... with tax.... for $31.Yeah.... Barry would have given it to me for free. However....... I am compelled to buy my metal. That's my own thing..... but Barry Beard is my mentor.......For those of you in Austin, TX...... if you need metal work done right.... Barry Beard in Buda can do it for you. He does all the work for Whole Foods..... mostly in California.....That's all..... This was just a plug for the guy I respect who has helped me learn...... He doesn't have a computer...... or email.... or a website.... but he does great work.....That's all.......Thanks for reading....... Attached Images
Reply:Great post.Great job on the bench.Cute kid.So far, you have done Barry good.Tim Beeker.
Reply:Nice bench, I would like to note one thing however. I would look at the hard corner of steel as a falling hazard. Like if someone fell on it at the right angle hitting their head it could be serious injury. This is just one of the issues I had beat into me doing custom 1 off furniture over the years and is often overlooked in pursuit of visual aesthetic but something to be aware of.  I have worked on many projects where this issue were ignored due to aesthetic value.
Reply:.........Last edited by Fexal; 01-04-2012 at 10:21 PM.
Reply:Don't believe anyone was questioning that. Nice work on the bench.
Reply:I agree with the fall hazard. And that bench looks like it's just the right height for her to fall on. Otherwise that's a pretty awesome bench. Very contemporary.If I was in Austin I'd check out his shop.Keep up the good work.Do what it takes to get the job done right.
Reply:I remember your post about the bench. and if Barry was the one who taught you how to build like that than he's definitely worth a plug (or twenty). You've got the right attitude, and the right amount of humility and respect. It's people like Barry that will teach several generations of weldors. I hope you pay it forward when the time comes.Don't judge a man by his past. Judge a man by his actions today. Everyone deserves to be treated innocent until proven guilty. This includes those who may have been guilty in the past.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:Not sure if you're in the IT industry and are looking for some creativity, but I'm in electronics and IT and understand you - that's why I'm dabbling in woodworkand metalwork - hoping to find the release for my creative needs there.And Barry sure sounds like a nice person - I'm on my own for learning, soI know how much you appreciate him (well, alone except for the friendly people on thisforum/and the rest of the web  )Regarding the fall hazard, maybe an "artistic" wooden hand rest would "cover"that and wouldn't be so cold to the touch either
Reply:The bench has a simple elegance to it, well executed. The first two shots, where the wood is not stained, is a bit more appealing to me because of the color and material contrast. Maybe just a clear sealant or very light stain would have been nice. Did you do anything to the metal or leave it bare?About the fall hazard... everything now days is a "fall hazard." Look at kid playgrounds; they are so rounded, soft and dull. We had a blacktop and some scrap-wood structure that gave you splinters every time we played on it. At the end of the day, kids still hurt themselves, and it hopefully makes them stronger.Millermatic 252Miller Digital Elite Helmet
Reply:The only thing I did to the metal was grind the mill scale off. I wanted it to be stainless but didn't have any, and have never welded stainless before..... so I flap disked the crap out of it to make it shiny then I cleared it so it would stay that way.I liked the bare wood too. I ended up staining it to hide the imperfections, but all it did was make them stand out. The wood is a bunch of 2X3's glued together. I had to use a hand planer to smooth it out and a belt grinder. Took a long time.I welded everything up and it was nice and square, straight, and flat. Barry taught me how to do that properly.I got the idea online from a guy who does them in stainless and sells them for like $900. I built this thing for around $50 (since I got the metal free).
Reply:That'd be a heck of a profit.Do what it takes to get the job done right.
Reply:My first post (other than introduction)... Nice write up on your friend, Barry, I may have to haunt him down as I'm in Austin.  He sounds like a true gentleman as do you.As for the bench, that is really elegant and is challenging me to do something similar.  I'm even more impressed it was built with "Armstrong Tools"!But, next time you need to joint and plane some boards, why don't you email me so my jointer gets some exercise instead of gathering dust and surface rust.
Reply:If I had a welding shop in Budda I think I would try to work a deal with Cabella's to put a mobile unit in there parking lot during deer season.  When I hunted in the Hill Country I saw a lot of busted up trailers and ATVs there.