Hello from the IoW

[Barnabas]

Hello all. Very glad to have found this site which looks like a real mine of information. I am particularly impressed by the good natured way the same inevitable questions from we newbies get answered time and again. It's quite heartening to know that others share your lack of knowledge but also good to see the enthusiasm of more experienced members.
Prior to my retirement last year I did a level 1 welding course at the local Tech and found that very helpful. I must say that i got on with gas just fine but was beaten by TIG. Now I am using a little stick welder given to me by a friend. It's a bit battle scarred but works just fine and I am so excited to see bits of metal stick together. So far I have made a grate for a well, fixed a friend's lawn roller and am just making an oil barrel bbq.
Anyway I think MIG is the way to go for some future projects. I read Weldequip's thread bemoaning the fact that price is so often the final arbiter thus putting all the business in the hands of the big retail chains. I certainly agree with him unless you are really strapped for cash and thus will be enlisting his help soon.
Sorry to go on a bit - just wanted to say hello and look forward to becoming a better welder with help from you guys.

 

[malcolm]

Biggest possible welcome to the forum

Surprised you got on OK with gas but struggled with TIG. It's been suggested the principle is very similar. Myself I struggled with gas when I tried it years ago but recently picked up TIG reasonably well. Perhaps the MIG bit in the middle helped me.

Never worry about asking silly questions - at the worst someone will point you to another thread where the question has been answered already.

 

[daf45]

Welcome to the forum
Looks like you're a GSer in that pic.
Just traded-in my 1200 for a Fireblade last week.
Also glad I'm not the only one who finds sticking bit of metal together exciting

 

[Barnabas]

Thanks guys. Yes I know that most people find gas a bit tricky but it came naturally to me perhaps because I am left handed but TIG - well it seemed like a black art and I consoled myself with the idea that I was never going to use it - hmmm - might have been a bit previous I think.
Well spotted about the 1150 there daf - it took us on a 4000 trip aroung the west coast of Ireland recently and that must rank as one of the best places in the world. The pic was taken off piste on Valentia Island and I had just remarked to my wife that it would be interesting having to describe to the AA exactly where we were. Ironically we 'broke down' about an hour later when numpty here killed the engine by kicking down the side stand but left ignition and lights on whilst awaiting the ferry - doh! How do you find the Fireblade by the way - bl@@dy fast I should imagine?
Anyway - thanks for the welcome