Reman
Member
- Messages
- 250
- Location
- Bristol, UK.
I had to fix (Read "Bodge") a rusty old bit of garden equipment today with my stick welder, and as my 13 year old nephews was about he asked if he could watch. I put my old helmet on him and spent the next hour answering his questions while I worked. When I'd finished, and as everything was still setup, I asked if he wanted a go? He said that he'd try. Long story short, 3 rods in he was able to keep a stable arc and lay down beads that, if not pretty, were functional. After a chat and 2 more rods he was starting to get a feel for how slow to move to keep the weld pool fluid, but not melt holes through the 5mm steel I had him butt welding together. He's picked this up quicker than anyone else I've shown the basics too !
Welding scraps together is OK, but there's nothing there to keep him interested long term, so I'm trying to think of a fun basic project I can do with him next time he's here. Something that won't matter if a few of the welds aren't 100% structurally sound, but preferably something he can take home and use (Even if just as an ornament).
So far I'm thinking maybe a solid cube made of angle steel (Got a fair amount of offcuts kicking around) because we could drill that to turn it into a 4" hollow steel dice, or slice half an inch off the end and weld on a hinge to turn it into an opening box. He's right in the middle of that pyromaniac phase so many young boys go through, so part of me wants to get him to make a small rocket stove without telling him what it's for first.......... But I REALLY don't think his parents would appreciate that.
I'm just wondering if anyone's got any better ideas for a reasonably easy first REAL project for him ?
Welding scraps together is OK, but there's nothing there to keep him interested long term, so I'm trying to think of a fun basic project I can do with him next time he's here. Something that won't matter if a few of the welds aren't 100% structurally sound, but preferably something he can take home and use (Even if just as an ornament).
So far I'm thinking maybe a solid cube made of angle steel (Got a fair amount of offcuts kicking around) because we could drill that to turn it into a 4" hollow steel dice, or slice half an inch off the end and weld on a hinge to turn it into an opening box. He's right in the middle of that pyromaniac phase so many young boys go through, so part of me wants to get him to make a small rocket stove without telling him what it's for first.......... But I REALLY don't think his parents would appreciate that.
I'm just wondering if anyone's got any better ideas for a reasonably easy first REAL project for him ?