Just say no. Or else. .
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Got this old Sears/Devilbiss air compressor restored.
Got this old Sears/Devilbiss air compressor restored. Replaced all the gaskets and piston rings. New controller and regulator valve. Fresh coat of paint. Super quiet compared to my other compressor. And this one can hold 7.4cfm@125psi.
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New TIG Machine
I’ve been wanting a TIG/Stick welding machine for some time. Not because I need one, but because I want to learn how to TIG weld. I looked at a number of options, trying to stay budget friendly. I ended up getting this TIG 225X machine from Primeweld.
It’s been getting pretty good reviews, especially from some welders that are fairly critical of inexpensive chinese imports.
What sold me on it was not just the price at $775, but that it does pulse as well as AC welding – which means I can weld aluminum!
It came with a CK Worldwide torch and an upgraded foot pedal. I picked up a bottle of argon from a local welding suppliers, as well as some filler rod and stick electrodes from Harbor Freight.
It’ll take a while to learn how to do all of this with some degree of acceptability, but it’s going to be a lot of fun!
Found an old welding cart on Facebook for $20. Cleaned it up and painted it. Perfect fit!
Makes my Hobart 175 amp MIG welder look so tiny!
Trying out some 7018 on the new welder.
Trying out some 7018 on the new welder. Haven’t run any SMAW for 2 1/2 years and that was only once or twice. This machine makes it seem too easy.
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TIG is so much harder than MIG.
TIG is so much harder than MIG. This was the best of the bunch of my first few passes of mild steel. Lots of practice to come. .
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Fugly
Compressor Update
I finally have the compressor put back together. Replaced the failed gasket and torqued the head bolts down to 35 foot pounds. Had to replace the regulator valve – I cracked it trying to put the original back on.
There’s still a small leak somewhere that I haven’t been able to find. I’ll have to mix up some more soapy water and get it into all the spots and see if I can figure it out. But it’s such a slow leak, that it won’t matter that much.
It fills up extremely fast and keep up with 7.5 cfm at 125psi.
Hibernating
I rearranged the workshop for the winter months and pulled the Jeep in for the first time. It fits as closely as I expected.
I’m thinking of removing the spare tire to make it easier to get to the other side of the Jeep. I still have to put it up on jack stands to keep the tires from developing a flat spot.
Is the workshop done yet?
I thought the shop was ready for the final inspection, at least as it pertains to the original building permit. The inspector came and said code requires the wall separating a garage from the living space must be covered in at least 1/2″ drywall.
Apparently, the garage between my shop and the living space does not suffice.
I have the inspector coming back to see if this is good enough. Drywall from floor to roof sheathing.
UPDATE: Inspector liked it. All inspections passed and approved.
The views were incredible.
The views were incredible. The trails were endless. The laughs were unrestrained. The friendships are immeasurable.
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