Ag Teacher in need of more coupons

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Hey everybody.  I'm a second year Ag Mechanics teacher at a high school.  I'm in need of suggestions on how to get the most out of the coupons that my kids are welding on.  Right now my intro classes are just running stringer beads in the flat position but my advanced kiddos will be going to competition in a month and a half and will be performing 2F, 3F and 2G root with cap welds.  These kids show a ton of potential and some can out weld me (not terribly hard to do  .  My problem is lack of funding for proper coupons. I've been scrounging up everything you can strike an arc on for these kids to practice on but now they are going to need some clean stuff for the harder welds.  I'd love suggestions.  Thanks.
Reply:I am rallying local fabrication shops and welding shops for donations, tax deductible papers can help out.I forgot how to change this.
Reply:Very true.  I have the form letter this year from administration on the tax deductible donations.  I will definitely give it a try.  Thanks.
Reply:I have used 1-1/2" flat bar and set it up in a V shape using angle and a welding rod as a spacer. Quick; easy and a lot cheaper.Next, make those kids real metal workers!!Once they weld on the real coupons, soap stone a cut line; break out the torch and cut down each side of the weld. Grind the bevel on by hand. Whala, a new set of coupons.It's how I was taught and made me appreciate sitting down to weld.If you have a track torch they could use it to cut on either side of the weld and put the bevel back on also. It's faster and they get more weld time. Also teach them how to clean a stick electrode. I see a lot of good rods thrown away.If I get a bad spot of flux on a rod, I'll drag it fast under the weld table to get it down to the good area. A stub bucket is a stub bucket, not a "I don't want to use that rod bucket". It will help them learn restarting!Also file the end of the rod before restarting, it's a good habit.Anyways, that's what comes to mind for starters.Good LuckLast edited by skelley521; 09-11-2011 at 10:53 PM.Semper FiJesus may have been a Carpenter, but his dad was a Millwright" A grinder and a can of paint, will make a welder what he aint' "I've done so much, with so little, for so long, that now I can do anything with nothing!
Reply:Great advice above. Here is a link to a chance at a $5000. grant from Lowes. They give tons of money away to schools. You have a great need and I would think you have a great chance at winning. They offer many, many schools the money so it isn't just one chance. Good luck if you enter. Hope you get some $$$ for supplies.  http://www.toolboxforeducation.com/PS There are many grants to write for that are a good fit for your class.
Reply:call some companies around you for scrap plate most times they will even drop it off there for the tax write off versus scrap priceMiller Xmt 350Lincoln Ln-25Ahp 200xSmith Gas Mixer AR/HTig is my Kung FuThrowing down dimes and weaving aboutInstagram http://instagram.com/[email protected]
Reply:Jason,Suggest you contact the local fab shops for their drops.  If you were local to VA I could probably help you out, but shipping steel just doesn't make much sense.  Good friend of mine runs a good size fab shop here locally.  Drops from the plasma cutting table are what you're looking for.  Generally, they'll have drops from cutting which range in width from 12" to 24" and about 4' long.A tax write off makes a lot more sense than the small amount they get from the surplus guy who hauls the dumpster away.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:If you can get some 2x2 angle and cut it to 7" long.Have each student weld out the entire piece of angle, then cut it on a band saw. They can see if each pass is getting good fusion.Also, call any local plants (powerhouses; chemical, etc.). Let them know who you are and what you are trying to do.Maybe they will let you have their scrap. I have thrown away a sheet load of perfectly good plate; angle & bar just because it was "time to clean up". If it isn't half a sheet/stick it goes in the dumpster. They may say no due to liability though.One local school tried it and the plant went ahead and bought the school a truck load of new steel. Just make sure you have a way to unload it and somewhere to put it Semper FiJesus may have been a Carpenter, but his dad was a Millwright" A grinder and a can of paint, will make a welder what he aint' "I've done so much, with so little, for so long, that now I can do anything with nothing!
Reply:Have any automotive suppliers around? People that run a lot of steel sheet for plasma, stamping,  water jet, etc?Years ago we had a plant supply the highschool with all their "junk" steel that way. We always had simethig to weld. :-)
Reply:Thanks everybody.  I'm going to try to get out on my conference or after school and hit up a fab shop that I know of.  I really appreciate all of the quick responses.
Reply:Jason I was an Ag mechanics teacher for 25 years and the key is to get to know your locals and if you can do some work with your advanced students to generate materials and supplies.  The school budget will never grow so get your community to help by telling them what your doing.  Most local farmers, welders and machine shops will help if they know what your doing.  Your on the right track just keep it up.
Reply:Look for shops with cnc plasma or waterjets, They will have lots of drops.Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:I will second the power plants.  Even if they don't have any plate or pipe, they will often donate welding rod that can be rebaked, etc.  In the quantities we order, it's cheaper to throw it out than to rebake and do the appropriate documentation.
Reply:Look to any local industry that does its own maintenance like sawmills, manufacturers, etc. I am a heavy equipment mechanic at a sawmill and we donate more steel than the local Ag shop can use. When I was in college a local company donated mistakes from the manufacture of bus & truck components including aluminum fuel tanks, frame brackets, bumpers, etc. and makes a great partner to teach pupils what is out there.Millermatic 200Hobart Handler 120Victor O/A & Ramco BandsawLincoln 225 ACSnapOn AD HoodMiller XMT304/22AHypertherm Powermax 1650 G3Lincoln Idealarc DC600 w/Extreme 12 VSMiller Digital Elite "Joker"
Reply:I donate stuff to my old Voc Tech all the time, it is a 2 way street they get material, and I can use the press brake, shear, or slip rolls.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:I couldn't help but think of this thread as I threw a bunch of 1/2" plate in the scrap dumpster. Most of it was 3-4" strips ripped with the plasma. Perfect for coupons.Millermatic 200Hobart Handler 120Victor O/A & Ramco BandsawLincoln 225 ACSnapOn AD HoodMiller XMT304/22AHypertherm Powermax 1650 G3Lincoln Idealarc DC600 w/Extreme 12 VSMiller Digital Elite "Joker"
Reply:Contact local fabrication shops.  Especially ones with laser cutters or punch presses.  They will have lots of steel going into the dumpsters.  Arrange to "borrow" the steel.  Pick it up, weld on it, return it so they can sell the scrap.  You gave them extra poundage in welding wire its a win/ win.  Also forms a relationship so that when you have some good welders they can get jobs there pretty easy.
Reply:I know of one fab shop here in town that I'm going to to introduce myself.  And even better I think they do some aluminum work too.  Now that would be awsome to be able to teach them how to weld that too.  Ted, my hat is off to you. 25 years. Wow.  When I went to school for Ag Mech nobody told me I needed to get a minor in how to teach lol. Finishing up my alternative certification now.