Welding

Welding HistoryRTech Welding
When I was an apprentice at Dowty we were sent to Stroud College to learn some specialist skills and complete an electronics project. We decided to build a tracking solar panel that followed the sun. For this we needed a framework to support our mocked up panel. So I temporarily joined the metal work class and watched the demonstration of lots of different types of welding. I also learnt how to braze using Oxy-Acetylene. I practiced this on the framework for the tracker.

More recently I attended an evening class at Chelsea College of Art and Design with some other beginner welders where I built a giant flea sculpture using MIG welding.

After doing some research I bought a small DC TIG welder from R-Tech Welding who I also use for welding supplies. The reason for picking this is that it’s has less sparks so is safer for my small workshop and can be used on a wide variety of sizes of steel. I did not need to use the welder in a lot of different places so transporting the argon tank is not an issue. I have used this welder for variety welding projects in my workshop shed which you can see listed below. If you use MIG or TIG then I can definitely recommend getting a large refillable gas canister (in my case argon) as the small disposable canisters will run out quickly and it will become expensive very quickly. I found that even for a quick project such as my Obelisks that required multiple canisters.

Gates Update

Gates Update

Following the addition of the tubes to the gate post I need to weld on some end caps and some tabs to fix the post to the wall.

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New Garden Gates

New Garden Gates

We took down a heavy-duty fence from the courtyard and repurposed it for a new section between the house and workshop.

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Learning a new skill – Welding

Learning a new skill - Welding

Perhaps you had a New Year’s resolution to learn a new skill such as welding, there’s a few courses and classes you can take. Once you have completed your welder training, you still have plenty to learn. Much of your

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Welding a stainless steel toilet roll holder

Welding a stainless steel toilet roll holder

Our Ikea toilet roll holder broke into two parts. On inspection there was just a single weld holding it together and that was obviously not very strong. As I have welding equipment I though it should be a straightforward repair.

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Iron Bloke

Iron Bloke

Earlier this year the Metal Store ran a contest looking for Metal Masterpieces. I had a chance to talk to the winner Nick Wysoczanskyj. His Iron Bloke sculpture made from is made from scrap metal with a glowing LED eye.

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Welding Stainless Sheet

Welding Stainless Sheet

I ordered some 1.2mm stainless steel sheet for my bathroom refit and due to a mis-communication it came with predrilled holes. As I did not have time to order new, to fill them I decided to TIG weld them. The

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Stick welding rods and sheet – chair repair

Stick welding rods and sheet - chair repair

Normally all my welding is TIG welding, however this weekend I ventured into a bit of stick welding. The reason for this selection was to repair a chair and to provide guidance for repairing some more similar chairs. My friend

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Joining metal

A discussion on twitter started by Fastener News Desk encouraged me to put pen to paper and write a few notes on joining metal. “Which method do you prefer – chemical #bonding or #fasteners?” I have to confess that I

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