Georgia Confab recap

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Ok, out of about 10 guys we had 5 show up:1. Joe - "petersenj20"2. Wes - "dawgfan52"3. Joe - "smithboy"4. Scott - "tin_bender3"5. Jackson - "hammackwelding"We played with spray mig, dualshield mig, stick, aluminum and stainless tig, and even cut some 1" plate with the plasma cutter.  Jackson pulled out some 7018 electrodes and we did a bunch of vertical up stick.  I had never even tried it before, but was quite pleased with the outcome after Jackson gave some pointers.  I tacked a rejected roll hoop to the welding table and let everyone weld a couple of notched tube joints making the most screwed up looking roll bar ever made.We mostly put inverters to work today.  Smithboy's Powcon 300SM got a pretty good workout being the power supply for all the stick and also the dual shield MIG.  My XMT 300 powered the spray MIG and short circuit MIG.  Finishing out the inverters was my 90amp Esab plasma cutter, which did a pretty nice job on the 1" plate - almost as nice as Jackson's OA torch cutting.Thanks to all the guys that came; specially those that brought equipment, supplies, and scrap materials!  Next time we need to set aside more time!Jason
Reply:Pics!Pics!Pics!!!!Where are the pics!!!!!!!???????...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Jackson took most of the pics.  I only took a couple, and left the camera at the shop.  Some of the other guys took pics, too.  Our moderator that was in attendence (Smithboy) should be appearing with a pic of himself next to the pieces of artwork we created.
Reply:I for one had an outstanding time today and hope we can do it again soon. Today was my first TIG experience and I'm shopping right now.  Thanks to Jason for opening his shop and being such a wonderful host and to all the other guys who showed up and shared knowledge. Thanks again....ScottMiller 225GLincoln 215Magnum Spool GunA/O RigIf I can step over it, I can weld it!
Reply:I had several firsts today. Mig. Tig. Plasma. Well I just watched the plasma but it was cool. 1" or better and cut clean through. I had an excellent time. More people should get together and do the same.Tig is like a magic trick. I've got to learn this and get a machine.Thank Jason for opening your shop to a greenhorn and allowing the use. Thanks to the others for all the tips. I got a few "decent" vertical beads after all the pointers from everyone.I have a picture of the big plasma in action. Most of you have seen this and may not be a big deal, but I was blown away.Also...My neck and forearms are sunburned even though I was offered a long sleeve shirt. Note to self. Take the advise next time. (I don't usually weld as long as today so not normally a problem.) Attached ImagesMmmmmmmmmmmmBeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrGooooooooooo  oodddd!!!!
Reply:Originally Posted by petersenj20Thank Jason for opening your shop to a greenhorn and allowing the use. Thanks to the others for all the tips. I got a few "decent" vertical beads after all the pointers from everyone.
Reply:It was a great learning experience and a great place to work in.  Thanks for letting everyone use your shop Jason.   I got a lot of great advice about several aspects of welding.  It is much easier to drop bad habits when you see someone else doing things the right way.   I wish I had a place to host this type of event but I will travel anywhere in GA for the next one.  Wes
Reply:Glad to see that everyone learned something..Here's something else to learn..Don't leave aerosol spray cans on what your doing..One slip with the right "thing" and BOOM!!...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Yep...that was my fault.  It was on a table where folks were tigging...I moved it mentioning how flammable that stuff is, and not more than a half hour later...right where I had put it, I started using the plazma.  It wasn't until I saw this picture that I realized I had done that.  You don't miss anything, do you Zap...and, that's a good thing in my book.Hopefully, Jackson will have some pictures to post soon.  We made a couple of interesting "sculptures" that will be going up for auction to benefit the weldingweb beer relief fund (WWBRF)...It's the kind of art that can ruin a good marriage.  Jackson had to make a long trip home yesterday, so it might take a bit of time.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:Originally Posted by smithboydon't miss anything, do you Zap...
Reply:Yeah, as soon as those pics were posted I wondered who would bust us first!We can repeat it at my shop whenever we want - but I wouldn't mind seeing some other shops as well...
Reply:See what I started??Next week will make round 6 for me and my associates..I like it..Makes you feel good knowing your passing on skills to others...And they go home just itching to practice what they learned..Plus you have some good laughs at others expense.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:I sure had a blast at Zaps last year.  Looks like you guys did too.March 22 at my place.  Come and play.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Looks like you boys had fun.  I will hopefully be able to make it to the next one.
Reply:Here are the only three pics I took.  I was busy most of the time and forgot to snap more.  I was hoping Hammack would post some of his...
Reply:I cant believe I missed out on this. Dangit!! Ive been busy and havent checked in in a while.  Grrrr!    Well, maybe next time."I need this parade like I need a hole in the head"~John F.Kennedy
Reply:Ok, I just got back home today.  I had a blast.  It was great to finally get to meet some of you, and put a face with the name.  I want to thank Tubular Fab for allowing us to come in and wreck his shop.  Here are the pics I have taken.  I look forward to the next one, and hopefully it will be even bigger. ~JacksonI'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:Ok, just realized I don't have the pics resized, so I'll get them up tonight... Attached ImagesI'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:Ok, Went ahead and resized so here the are. Attached ImagesI'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:This first one is my personal favorite.  One size fits all mig tip.....  Well thanks to the cordless ryobi......... Attached ImagesI'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:I see alot of pics with no glove welding..And I get a new a$$hole from some here for doing itCarry on!...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:and finally Smithboy's creation, and boy does he do pretty work or what...When i showed up they had two pieces of angle in the vise practicing vertical up so piece after piece wound up getting welded to those angles, and this was the end result of the day.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:Everyone was in incognito until the last few pics.  DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:I regret not making it down there. We've been getting hammered at work. I ended up spending 6 hours with a DA sander. My least favorite part of the job...You should put that thing on Ebay, someone would buy it. Miller EconotigCutmaster 38Yes ma'am, that IS a screwdriver in my pocket!
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterI see alot of pics with no glove welding..And I get a new a$ from some here for doing itCarry on!...zap!Originally Posted by smithboyBy the way...the "one-size-fits-all mig tip" ACTUALLY WORKED!!!!  ...so, we drilled out a .035 tip to aaaaalllllmost the correct size and it worked like a top.
Reply:That all looks awesome guys!  I'll keep my fingers crossed that a gathering occurs in southern CA before too long.I'll just reiterate the importance of safety gear.  Sleeves and gloves guys, sunscreen doesn't cut it.  Skin cancer sucks and arc burn will give it to you.
Reply:Originally Posted by smithboy I wanted to see if Jason could fill the hole back in and re-drill it for .035 to save the $.25 for a new tip , but time ran out.
Reply:Excellent to see you guys sharing your knowledge, tools and passion for welding!You're incorrect Smitty - Zap does miss some stuff...ME, after I leave. John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com