New Member - I thought I contribute

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New Member – just came looking for some hobby project ideas and felt I should post some of mine.After being let go from a job a few years ago I decided to take a class in welding at my local technical college.  I’d hoped to learn enough to make basic repairs and maybe start a new hobby that I could share with my sons who were 14 and 15 years old at the time.  The course I took was called “Welding for Artist”.  However, since there were no ‘artists’ in the class, it was actually a general introduction to the basics of welding.  The class covered basic Gas (Oxy/Acetylene), Stick (SMAW), MIG, and TIG as well as a little plasma cutting.  The great thing about the instructor was that he allowed me to bring my sons to the shop portion of the class (classwork was 6:00pm - 7:00pm, shopwork from 7:00pm – 9:00pm).  We all learn a lot and became enthusiastic about welding.For Xmas I found a mid-sized Oxy/Acetylene outfit (tanks, gauges, cutting torch, tip, misc tools, for $250) for the boys.  I then ran across a Miller 175 MIG Welder on sale and got that as another Xmas gift as well.Both the class and welding equipment turned out to be absolutely great investments!!!!  Not only was I able to learn a useful skill and develop a useful hobby but it gave me a chance to really work with my sons and keep them from playing computer games constantly!I feel it is only proper that I give something back in return.  My youngest son, the more enthusiastic of the two, used his new welding knowledge and tools on his high school senior project.  He converted a 1985 VW Golf Diesel to run ‘biodiesel’ and then built a biodiesel processing system.  He ran the VW Golf his entire senior year on ‘homebrew biodiesel’, approximately 400 gallons at a cost of about $1.25/gallon!Some pictures of our welding projects:1.My son welding door latch repair on VW Golf2.My son welding biodiesel processor stand3.Biodiesel processor system (welding components follow)              a. Stand with casters for ‘Appleseed processor’  (WVO   heater/dryer)              b. Two processor stands (for cone-bottomed tanks – saved $400 on stands!)              c. Storage Drum stand w/pneumatic wheels4. My welding bench - 2 photos (work in progress) note the following             a. Orange holddowns             b. Removable spatter shields             c. ½ steel top, ½ fire brick (for oxy/acetylene             d. Hard to see but the following is things I’ve added             i. Copper plate heat sink 12” x 18” x 1/8”                         ii.  2 anvils made from railroad track                         iii. 1” square tubing for holding welding rod                         iv. hooks for cutoff wheels, grinder discs, flapper discs, brushes,etc.                         v.  holders for hammers and other tools             e. Dedicated tool box for welding tools, tips, torches, etc             f.  On casters so I can move it around the shop.More Projects to Follow:My son's go-cart, my BBQ.... Attached Images
Reply:This is some nice stuff.  Glad you shared it.What do you use for the biodiesel?  Wouldn't be goin' down the road smellin' like potato chip fat would ya?Critter on wall soon to be new pairs of custom welding glovesThe equipment, your class(wish I'd have gone that route), and the kids, is going to bring a lot of rewards.  More than money"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Thanks. I felt I should give back something.  I've already built and used the Mig Torch holder I fould here!WVO - Waste Vegetable Oil - he collects it from local resturants, (Chinese, Thai, Indian, Mexican). The best came from a Mexican Resturant - and he does smell like tortilla chips   Just following him makes peoples mouth water.Whoops!  The critter on the wall was eating my chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys!  Shot with a .22 at 132 yrs (paced off by my Dad.  Don't tell the city authorities!Both the Class and equipment have returned by investment 100 fold in my estimation.  My sons have both adopted my favorite expressions - I we can't fix it - it ain't broke!  Just being able to successfully build something useful is a great confidence builder for life.
Reply:Good deal.Looking forward to the upcoming stuff.  BBQ, BBQ, BBQ"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by reefera4m...WVO - Waste Vegetable Oil - he collects it from local resturants, (Chinese, Thai, Indian, Mexican). The best came from a Mexican Resturant - and he does smell like tortilla chips   Just following him makes peoples mouth water....
Reply:We checked on any restrictions regarding the chemicals required to make biodiesel, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and methanol and none of them are considered hazardous in the amounts we use.  There were also no current regulations on the processing used vegetable oil at home.  In fact, we even contacted the State Department of Ecology regarding the disposal of glycerol/glycerin, the primary byproduct of biodiesel processing, and learned that, while currently under review, there are NO laws restricting its disposal.We shared your concern about the oil and did check of all the oil we received.  We made sure we were getting vegetable oil.  A lot of places would even pour it back into the original containers (we've got lots of used 5 gallon HDPE oil containers ;-).  Most common oil was either Soy or Canola.
Reply:First thing: welcome to the forum.Thanks for posting the pictures. I always like to see what people can dream up and do.
Reply:My saying is this:" If it ain't broke, I didn't use it!"Good projects. A good friend does the BioFuel but has run into more competition for the erl' around town.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Cool posting, good for you and your sons!Miller 140 w A/SHF Flux Core WelderDewalt Chop SawSmith O/A TorchHarley Electra Glide Classic
Reply:Great for you and your family keep them home if you can.We have a big shop and any tool you could ask for. Our son could care less so he joined the army and is now in the middle east but soon to return to Fort Campbell .Proud worried fatherMiller 330 A/BP Bernard SS coolerMiller cst 250Miller Big Blue 251DCentury 210 Mig (first welder I bought)Hypertherm PowerMax 800Victor torch setRu Fong 31 MilAtlas lathe
Reply:Hoping for the best for your son.  Funny thing, after I got out of the service (6 years USMC) I realized how much smarter my father was than when I went in :-) !!!