Hi all

[MigTig]

Evening all, found this forum while looking for some help for my (future) Tig. I have just bought a Clarke 135TE Turbo Mig welder (yes its only small) I studied welding for 1 year, and really enjoyed it. My job is currently Maintenance, but im looking for a new job shortly. (no idea what it will be!)

So, thanks for the great forum, hope to spend a bit of time reading here.
Cheers!

Heres my Mig

 

[Ratty]

wow CLEAN workshop!! wish mine was - it's more like an assault course even after tidying.

 

[MigTig]

I am a part time Forge teacher (self tought, passing knowledge on) but im only 18, so theres many years of knowledge to pick up still. I expect im one of the youngest members here
Heres a couple of my projects.

First is a BBQ rack I built for this summer, mostly from scrap metal

And having self tought myself to Forge, I built this door knocker first time, never did one before, or any practice. Quite pleased it worked out..

Sprayed and ready to go

 

[Haze]

not bad at all mate

 

[MigTig]

Thanks!
Pitty I dont have cars to work on like most people here.. maybe oneday

 

[malcolm]

Don't bother with cars when you can do cool stuff like that. They take too long. I went out to look at my own door knocker and it is kind of similar to yours, but the two sides look like they started off in life as seperate pices of metal that got twisted and knocked together while hot. Was the thicker middle bit from your knocker hammered in a forging sort of way?

I love your anvil. And I'm sure we have a metal forge in the bushes somewhere (theres an metal box with some bricks in it in the undergroth - would that be a forge?).

 

[MigTig]

Hiya Malc,
Yeh that sounds like a forge. Should be lined with sand or firebricks.
I have a very big project comming up, I need to build a fan assisted, liquid cooled forge (to prevent the cast iron nozzle from melting, it gets white hot if you use it hard). Our current forge is hand operated, and can be awkward to use on your own. Didnt stop me making the knocker.
The knocker weight, is made from 4 peices of flat metal welded on, then ground, and then finally heated red hot and forged into a round (ish) shape, finally adding a hammer finish.
The center twisted loop of the knocker is one peice. I added the weight, the added then twists after.
I cheat, I love to combine welding and grinders with my forging the block that holds the knocker arm, is welded on. I had to think about this.. how do I weld a block without any visual signs of weld? brain wave (for a beginer) I simply drilled the thick steel from the back (prior to forging) and welded the block on through the hole with my Arc welder (I only just got the Mig). Job done..

Oh, heres a picture of our 'Glendale' Forge.

I have passed a 2 year course in car mechanics, loved it. But of all things, welding really is a passion, once the Arc starts, the smell, and that small flame just set you in your own world, and you forget everything around you

 

[Ratty]

You're an inspiration MigTig great to hear all that passion and your knocker is knockout..Listen to Malcolm - stay away from cars! Have you come across BABA? no not the black sheep! British Artist Blacksmiths Assoc. http://www.baba.org.uk/
Might be worth a look - they have AGM's with 'Forge-ins' which sound like great fun and loads to learn and like-minded people to meet (a blacksmith mate of mine is a member and loves it - think he's on the committee too). There is so much work out there - he is always inundated - lots of interesting architectural stuff for both old and new properties. I have another colleague - a sculptor - who does nothing but gas welding (no forging) and she's a member too and gets a lot out of it.
Keep it up and you won't have to rely on being employed, you can employ yourself and always do what you love doing.

 

[MigTig]

Thanks for the reply, il check out the link
My ideal plan would be to own a van, welding generator, and several welders, going around doing the odd jobs. But theres all the insurance rubbish that the UK has that will probably make that impossible.

The only problem with Blacksmithing is it takes time to produce items, so you have to work VERY hard to get money out of it. Its a great feeling taking a solid peice of carbon steel bar, heating it red/white hot, and then bashing it into any shape you wish.

 

[weldequip]

And the trouble is now there is loads of ready made 'wrought iron' stuff flooding the market from the Far East.
Personally, I'd rather pay for something that has been lovingly made by a craftsman, but not everyone will I'm afraid.
weldequip

 

[lexi]

Great Tech migtig...............I think Malc had a bad day at the car......but what about the good days....ha ha

Alex

 

[MigTig]

And the trouble is now there is loads of ready made 'wrought iron' stuff flooding the market from the Far East.
Personally, I'd rather pay for something that has been lovingly made by a craftsman, but not everyone will I'm afraid.
weldequip

Agreed. Avoid Chinese products where possible, the quality of their steel (well our recycled steel) is pretty poor

My driving instructor has been made aware of my welding abilities as he restores classics as I learnt today, but cant weld at all, and isnt interested in getting the kit. So, mite get some mini jobs there, not to keen on a full on body project though