Cataloging material stock...

[Parm]

There is six weeks available for practical work, although I'm sure a chunk of that will be classroom led instruction, health and safety briefings, etc. They have a decent setup, they even have a universal steelworker, I'll just try and get as much experience as I can; before, during and after my course.

Just trying to work out what’s going on here, just my inquisitive mind. I don’t understand how someone can teach a practical skill on so many different processes via distance learning ??

“So the course is distance learning, goes through the various welding processes and finishes with TIG, practical is assessed at a centre, you’ve done 12 modules and much health and safety. They have yet to let you on the big 3 phase machines. Then you imply that there’s 6 weeks available for practical and your sure that that much of it will be classroom led. This implies that you haven’t had any practical time yet”

This doesn’t all stack up

Call me suspicious but I smell a big fat rat

 

[Yamhon]

Call me suspicious but I smell a big fat rat

Huh?

Just trying to work out what’s going on here, just my inquisitive mind. I don’t understand how someone can teach a practical skill on so many different processes via distance learning ??

I've not done a welding course before; so I'm not in a position to say what's good or bad, etc about welding courses. Although I'm with you on that you can't learn to weld through theory alone, as it's a "practical art" sorta speak.

The course I'm doing is made up through a combination of distance learning; where I study the theory, online simulations and other CBT elements and practical lessons and assessments.

On a personal note; you seem to want to keep digging in my posts and then going off on tangents, I answer your questions as best as I can, what more do you want!?

I've just taken a quick snap of the three theory books I currently have, just finished the top one which is a hair under 500 pages. I normally remove EXIF info from images before uploading, though for this one I've left it in.



I've not found these books elsewhere outside of my course; only other reference I've seen to my course online is ironically on this forum somewhere, although I was already a couple of months into the course before i signed up to the forum.

Not trying to be rude or clever, I'm new to welding still and I'm here to learn.

 

[Screwdriver]

That's novel, yeah I can see that it might be helpful.

I had a go with the Sketchup free version some weeks ago, but every tutorial found seemed to use totally different software with tools and menus I didn't have available. I've installed Fusion 360 since, although haven't done much beyond register as it taxes my computer an awful lot when I try to run it.

I follow a few people on YouTube that got me into welding; and they all use either Sketchup or Fusion, so I'm keen to try and master one of the CAD offerings, and I'm especially interested in later on being able to use CAD models in a CAM type operation with CNC... though one step at a time for me.

I'll do a video one of these days. I find it virtually essential for even the simplest of jobs because my particular requirements are to use materials "on hand". I put all the effort in beforehand to come up with the simplest design that uses the least material (which I happen to have lying around).

Of course I would suggest it's "easy" because I have been using it for so long but I promise, you could be designing a house after a one day session of training, even if that's just monkey see, monkey do. I might also create a page somewhere for all the things I am doing, have done and plan to do one day. I just had a quick look and there's a TON of projects!

 

[Yamhon]

I'd love to model designs and see how they look in 3D; guess I'm a visual learner to a degree as I find it helpful being able to see things and evolve the design from there. Deffo something I'm going to have to learn :-)

 

[ukracer]

@Stueeee my problem is a significant amount of turning or machining stock I have was acquired and I have no idea what it is. From memory I only have 3 maybe 4 pieces with any provenance

Yeah that's my problem...steel is steel..lol

 

[Screwdriver]

I've not done a welding course before; so I'm not in a position to say what's good or bad

I did a welding course a few years ago at Wembley, some polytechnic thing. I think that was around six weeks and I found it really useful. They started me off on oxy, then stick, Mig and finally Tig. i doesn't make you a welder but it gives you a flavour for it, hints at the depth to the subject and gives you an appreciation of the amount of effort you need to put in to become proficient; if you so choose.

I can't honestly say if I really remember much of it but it got me going and I'm still doing it. I'm getting better too but tbh, that's not saying much!

 

[Yamhon]

I can't honestly say if I really remember much of it but it got me going and I'm still doing it. I'm getting better too but tbh, that's not saying much!

A welder I know online suggested it would be better to take a class than try and teach myself; so I looked around and ended up on the course I am. Very short college courses wanted what felt like a lot of money when I looked, so whilst paying what I am for my course at least I'll have the books and my notes to look back over when I need to refresh my memory.

The breadth of subject of welding let alone fabrication is quite massive, there is far more too it than I would have expected... although in this day and age health and safety and the law takes up a big chunk of the study time too.

 

[Screwdriver]

I'd love to model designs and see how they look in 3D; guess I'm a visual learner to a degree as I find it helpful being able to see things and evolve the design from there. Deffo something I'm going to have to learn :-)

Me too and I find being able to previsualise really helps. So with this simple bending jig:

I already have a flypress (already modeled), got some chunky tractor pins and found that channel I use as a riser in my "stock" page. So far as I can tell it is an original design which is easy to do because you can simplify what it is you need the tool to be able to do. In this case, I just have to stop the bottom two rounds from rolling away. they already have holes so I could pin them or put in a grub screw. Just looking at the model, I can "tell" the downward pressure will easily hold the jig in place so it doesn't need complex mountings or a series of holes. It's free moving meaning only one pin needs to be adjustable.

Personally, I don't get that sort of inspiration from a blank page so I stick it in the model and the solution reveals itself.

 

[Yamhon]

Are the purple shapes weights to make it easier to turn the mechanism?

 

[Screwdriver]

Can't resist:

Another "invention" when I was thinking about fitting a bending jig to the Hardie hole on my anvil.

The foot plate is a simple board that folds down on two chunky lengths of angle iron. So long as you're standing on it when heaving on a length of rebar or whatever, the freestanding anvil base won't move. It folds up when you don't need that stability, plenty of gravity in that thing means it doesn't like to move much anyway. Going to fit a similar plate to the large vice stand, also not fixed.

 

[Screwdriver]

Are the purple shapes weights to make it easier to turn the mechanism?

I made my own ball weights. They are just massive objects which, once you get the thing turning, don't want to stop. They are hollow steel spheres filled with molten lead (which is why they went a rather fetching shade of purple). Well spotted by the way.

The momentum in the mechanism gives the flypress it's extraordinary power. That one is a Norton 6DB. Six tons of pressure with fingertip control.

 

[Screwdriver]

I generally go through a series of designs like with this welding table, made up from bits you can see in my "stock" page.

it's based around a 350kg lump of CNC table, I want it to be height adjustable and to tilt through 90 degrees. Bit of a tall order, it will probably end up with the regulation four legs, one on each corner!

 

[Yamhon]

Can't resist:

The foot plate is a simple board that folds down on two chunky lengths of angle iron. So long as you're standing on it when heaving on a length of rebar or whatever, the freestanding anvil base won't move. It folds up when you don't need that stability, plenty of gravity in that thing means it doesn't like to move much anyway. Going to fit a similar plate to the large vice stand, also not fixed.

That's a great idea; I've been thinking about making a vice and or bench grinder stand, I can see that coming in handy for either of those. I've not thought of that, kept circling back to wondering how to ensure a stand doesn't topple over when I don't want to bolt it down.

 

[Screwdriver]

I already posted this one: #142

Fume hood for the forge area (also designed in sketchup). I couldn't imagine making up a "net" for the cuts and bends required without a model and although I collect them, I probably don't have quite enough Cruchy Nut Cornflakes boxes to do it in CAD.

 

[Yamhon]

Maybe overkill but what comes to mind for an adjustable table would be hydraulic cylinders one for each leg; think there is a device you can use to make sure each cylinder as equal pressure to help keep the table on a level plane. To tilt through 90 degrees and I think you might have started to model this, maybe a big rod in the center line of the table, which when unlocked will allow the table to spin on that axis... might struggle to find a rod/shaft robust enough though, as once you rotate it, I would think all of the weight would need to go through this... although perhaps once locked into the 90 degree vertical position other fixtures could be in place to transfer some of the load down through the table legs.

 

[Screwdriver]

That's a great idea; I've been thinking about making a vice and or bench grinder stand, I can see that coming in handy for either of those. I've not thought of that, kept circling back to wondering how to ensure a stand doesn't topple over when I don't want to bolt it down.

It's only purpose in this iteration is to prevent twisting and only when I am using my (non existent) bending forks. I haven't made this yet either:

Hossfeld bender. With a Hardie hole I won't need all of the original design so I will pare it down.

 

[Screwdriver]

Maybe overkill but what comes to mind for an adjustable table would be hydraulic cylinders one for each leg; think there is a device you can use to make sure each cylinder as equal pressure to help keep the table on a level plane. To tilt through 90 degrees and I think you might have started to model this, maybe a big rod in the center line of the table, which when unlocked will allow the table to spin on that axis... might struggle to find a rod/shaft robust enough though, as once you rotate it, I would think all of the weight would need to go through this... although perhaps once locked into the 90 degree vertical position other fixtures could be in place to transfer some of the load down through the table legs.

Yes there are a few of these with the hydraulics shown. I might even get away with those electric jobbies. Also have versions with large acme screws, car jacks, you name it. All "made" from the comfort of this very chair...

Locking mechanism is probably going to be a motorcycle brake disk with a backup mechanical pin. I already have some huge pillow block bearings for the tilting mechanism. The key issue is centre of balance for the table which is as yet unknown. I can't even move it without a crane and it needs to be a decent safe design or I'm not going near it!

<edit> incidentally, if you examine the prototype, the bearing is mounted on that triangular shaped bracket to raise it to my estimate of the c.o.g. and the bearing housing is then bolted securely to the massive table in a sort of cradle. I have to wonder if it can be free to rotate so it probably wants a chain and sprocket drive because it may also need to move with whatever happens to be bolted on the table at the time.

 

[Parm]

Huh?



I've not done a welding course before; so I'm not in a position to say what's good or bad, etc about welding courses. Although I'm with you on that you can't learn to weld through theory alone, as it's a "practical art" sorta speak.

The course I'm doing is made up through a combination of distance learning; where I study the theory, online simulations and other CBT elements and practical lessons and assessments.

On a personal note; you seem to want to keep digging in my posts and then going off on tangents, I answer your questions as best as I can, what more do you want!?

I've just taken a quick snap of the three theory books I currently have, just finished the top one which is a hair under 500 pages. I normally remove EXIF info from images before uploading, though for this one I've left it in.

View attachment 189420

I've not found these books elsewhere outside of my course; only other reference I've seen to my course online is ironically on this forum somewhere, although I was already a couple of months into the course before i signed up to the forum.

Not trying to be rude or clever, I'm new to welding still and I'm here to learn.

Are you sure this course is real?

I’ve done a bit of digging around. Bright Spark Welding is a dormant company. Hasn’t traded since 2015. Therefore I don’t understand how they are still operational and providing a service?

Their business model was to sell on line welding education over three years with payment by monthly instalments. It was a high pressure sales gig that promised the world and delivered nothing

Folk received the books you present pictures of, but no on line materials and no practical sessions. Money taken but nothing delivered resulting in many complaints

The person associated with bright sparks welding has many many different companies, most of which are dormant. Indications are that he’s a strong candidate for being a conman as his businesses only seem to operate for a year or two before he moves on. Further research will be required to substantiate this theory. Now this has my interest I will substantiate this all via a third party source

The only fabrication going on here is your storey

I think you should come clean and say what’s really going

@Wozzaaah

 

[Screwdriver]

@Parm you've got me going now. A "distance learning" welding course?? I'd be wary of that. For me it was ALL about hands on practical experience, under the constant supervision of a very experienced tutor. The rest of the guff is effectively free anyway. I have also been lucky enough to hang around a couple of welders on here. Amazing what you can pick up just by watching hence the "monkey see monkey do" comment. That was the most valuable part of the entire learning experience.

 

[Wonderweaver]

Found this the other day and while I've seen a few work shop bending machines that i could make myself I thought this was very versatile and a great Anvil companion.