Greetings from Iraq!

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Hi Gang,I've been lurking around here on WW a bit lately and feeling a little homesick.  I'm 3 months into a 15 month tour over here in Iraq, so it will be a while before I get any shop time.  In the meantime, I'll have to get my welding fix vicariously through y'all.I'm posting a couple of pics that I thought you might get a kick out of.  They were taken at Patrol Base Warrior's Keep, southwest of Baghdad.  Some "contractors" were getting their equipment ready for a little welding project.  I guess there's "rednecks" no matter where you go in the world.  They just go by different names. It's interesting watching these guys work.  I've seen them arc welding without a hood, just closing their eyes, or sometimes with a pair of sunglasses.  You can imagine the quality of the welds. Attached ImagesWork HARDER, not smarter! ------------------------ Miller Bobcat 250Millermatic 251Lincoln Precision TIG 185Hypertherm PM 600Hobart 135 HandlerOxweld 400 FlameMaster
Reply:Hi Dave, thanks for what your doing over there! I had a chuckle from the pics,  I guess they are everywhere's. Keep lurkin' and saving up the good ideas for when you get home.
Reply:Like wise here and how about them there MIL spec's lolAWS CWI Hypertherm 850 plasmaLincoln LN-25Lincoln SAE 400Miller Big 40D28' X 36' X 14' Shop_____________________________________Tools are not the the skill but simply tools!
Reply:Hi Dave  Funny thing, we had a banner hanging in the major wreck shop of Ryder Trucks body shop that said just the opposite:Work smarter, not harder !The military usually was a$$ backwards  Come back home in one piece.WeldingWeb forum--now more sophomoric banter than anything else!
Reply:Hey relax, they tied a knot and used electric tape, that's double tuff! Be safe, come back, and God Bless you all! City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Thank you David Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Hi Dave, Thanks for your sacrafice.  We do appreciate you.  Would you like a care package?Laura MM 180Chop SawDewalt grinderhelpful husband
Reply:Gotta watch those knots. Tie 'em too tight and you'll cut the juice off.
Reply:Dave, Take care of your self, my brother is on his way home after 15 months there. He thought he was going to get extended. Thanks for all you are doing over there and be safe.
Reply:Hey Dave !Great pics....keep them coming.  Thanks for doing your duty, you have my support !  Take care--Graham-Mechanical EngineerAutosport Mechanic/Fabricator
Reply:Originally Posted by pinklilly11Hi Dave, Thanks for your sacrafice.  We do appreciate you.  Would you like a care package?
Reply:Thanks for you and your families sacrifice.My wife will be in country sometime in Sept. Camp Liberty.Brett B & B Fabrication and Welding Inc.Spalding, MI.
Reply:We salute you! Stay low.....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:Did you use that welder for target practice? Post some pics of the welds. Stay safe! You only need to be 2% smarter than what you are working on.Lincoln pm140hacksawa big hammer
Reply:Thanks for your service Dave!Keep up the good work!Keep the pictures coming in.
Reply:Hey Dave,Thanks for the service and be sure to get your arse home.  Stay in touch and let us know if you need anything.MichaelMillermatic 25115" Rockwell Drill Press10" Logan Lathe5hp - 2-stage 80 Gallon CompressorHome Made Sand / Soda Blaster
Reply:Originally Posted by Leadhead1911It's interesting watching these guys work.  I've seen them arc welding without a hood, just closing their eyes, or sometimes with a pair of sunglasses.  You can imagine the quality of the welds.
Reply:How many eggs can you fry on one of those Abrams
Reply:Originally Posted by Leadhead1911Hi Gang,I've been lurking around here on WW a bit lately and feeling a little homesick.  I'm 3 months into a 15 month tour over here in Iraq, so it will be a while before I get any shop time.  In the meantime, I'll have to get my welding fix vicariously through y'all.I'm posting a couple of pics that I thought you might get a kick out of.  They were taken at Patrol Base Warrior's Keep, southwest of Baghdad.  Some "contractors" were getting their equipment ready for a little welding project.  I guess there's "rednecks" no matter where you go in the world.  They just go by different names. It's interesting watching these guys work.  I've seen them arc welding without a hood, just closing their eyes, or sometimes with a pair of sunglasses.  You can imagine the quality of the welds.
Reply:My best wishes to all our troops out there.IN another aspect, ive been following some threads by a pakistani/iraqi fabricator who does amazing work with welders like that, no saftey equipment, ect.  His work is better than probably any other "master fabricator" ive seen, and all he has are hand tools and a torch.Have we all gone mad?
Reply:Originally Posted by odleoDave, Take care of your self, my brother is on his way home after 15 months there. He thought he was going to get extended. Thanks for all you are doing over there and be safe.
Reply:Originally Posted by UP BRETTThanks for you and your families sacrifice.My wife will be in country sometime in Sept. Camp Liberty.
Reply:I learned(i use the term loosely) how to stickweld in fallujah back in 04. enjoy your stay, take it one day at a time. there is a light at the end, it means you auto darkening isn't working...
Reply:Dave thank you hope you and the rest of our people over there get to come home in one piece and wellChuckASME Pressure Vessel welder
Reply:hey, im a redneck, and whuts the matter with that cable? looks like some of my finest work.ha.ha. nice to meet you dave, come back safe and ill keep a rod burning for ya.I came across the same thing in Afghanistan.  I always wanted to show the Hajis how to weld a little better but I never saw a hood and didn't want to try it their way.  I also never saw them use anything but a welder to cut everything.  I know for sure they didn't have carbon and air too.  My old unit and lots of friends are redeploying back home.  2/27 inf Wolfhounds, 25th inf div.  I wish you the best of luck.  Matt
Reply:Hey Dave!!  Stay safe!!  Let us know if you do need anything.
Reply:Hi Dave,My wife is in commo. They are there to support sapper units. Sorry for the delay but I've been out of town working for a while. Be leaveing again in a day or 2 or as soon as the kids have gotten their home fix. Be safe and take care,BrettBrett B & B Fabrication and Welding Inc.Spalding, MI.
Reply:Hey Dave,Thanks for your service & come home soon!Bruce The Welding ChefLincoln Weld-Pack 3200 NORWELD StickStanford Hill Farm
Reply:Thanks Dave, my wife will be deploying there soon, my brother in law and a good friend just came back from Camp Liberty.  They have some wonderful pics of "interesting" things they seen.  Being here at Fort Hood, I've gotten to meet a few guys from 4th ID that are going and a few from 1st Cav that got just got back.  Hell of a time over there.  Keep safe and come back alive!  Hooah!
Reply:You are doing good work out there ,stay safe.
Reply:Hey Dave.... I am a little slow, but thanks for ALL that you guys/gals do for us back home.... stay safe. Qualified & experienced at welding scrap metal
Reply:Dave, Did I say to keep your head down?Bruce The Welding ChefLincoln Weld-Pack 3200 NORWELD StickStanford Hill Farm
Reply:Hey Dave. There are alot of us here in the states, that really appreciate your sacrificial service. Please take to heart, and pass along our best wishes to all of our other heros there serving for us as well. God bless you all! I'll be praying for a quick and safe return for all of you. Daryle.
Reply:Hey Dave, did 3 tours over there, was lucky enough to dodge all the rockets they threw at us, looking for another tour here soon. Stay low brother. Semper Figrizz_____________________________________________Miller DVITD-39HF 4x6 BandsawHF Bender & Ring RollerCraftsman 12 inch Drill Press4.5 inch Grinders10 inch Metal shearAnd numerous other little goodies!!!