Bughunter, Next time you are welding, pull out your smart phone and play a music video while running an arc. Any interference? Record a video of the shop while welding. Don't point it at the arc, just general shop. How much interference do you get? We don't need near the RF power a cell phone has. A...

Now think about a welding school. We make an 'instructors helmet' which allows the user to easily select the Network number. The instructor looks at the welder for the assigned Network number, sets that on the helmet, and now can view the student's welding. The instructor can also see the current, a...

The digital communication would be fairly straight foward. All three components are assigned a network number. Let's say it is network #175. The weldor pushes on the pedal 25%. The pedal sends out a signal saying "Network 175 wants 25% power " . The welder responds with a signal that says ...

If you don't go overboard, something like Bluetooth could do it. Cordless pedal, and/or finger control, tied in with a RF helmet and welding unit should be fairly easy to do.

I've been giving a bit more thought to the 'perfect' welding helmet. With a RF link between the welder and helmet, there are a few other things we can do. How about a Heads-up display that tells you the current. Add red, yellow, and green LEDs to indicate welding voltage as it relates to arc length....

Bughunter, Not aimed at you, but it was because of your post. I agree 100% with what you was saying about poor designs. I run a repair shop where I work on everything from small diesels, down to little 2 strokes. I also do some custom fabrication. I am not an engineer, but I put more effort into the...

"Yesterday, I couldn't spell eggineer, and today I are one".

That used to be a joke when I was at Purdue, now it is way too true!

Around here, you hear the word FROG.

Finished Room Over Garage

Sorry, but it isn't made out of Metric Steel, -2 points for not using spec material. Using your brain to overcome a problem is unacceptable in today's world. :D Rick did someone spoil your parade? :lol: :lol: Not at all, Richard. I liked the way Spartan figured a solution around the problem. He ach...

You can buy a fair DC TIG machine for $1000, but to get a good AC welder you should figure on $2500-3000 minimum. It takes a lot more Amps to weld aluminum compared to steel. The aluminum melts at a lower temperature, but it also conducts the heat away from the weld much faster. I spent $3000 gettin...

Sorry, but it isn't made out of Metric Steel, -2 points for not using spec material.
Using your brain to overcome a problem is unacceptable in today's world.

Most folks buying helmets seem to be most concerned about the 'view'. It isn't until later on, when they are in pain, that they think about the headgear.

Careful there Oscar, we might totally agree on that. Teachers should control the students.
I will also say that parents need to control their kids. I see too many cases of kids running out of control.

I guess that I missed it. Unless it was something that I posted and was taken wrong. If that is the case, I apologize.

Oscar, I thought you might enjoy that.

This just in....... HTP has issued a safety recall for all models of their welders due to a serious shock hazard. All HTP owners are advised to turn off their welders till a fix is found. The company estimates at least 90 days to find a solution, and start shipping out kits to fix the problem. Now t...

The first label is 309 X .045
The second label is 316 X 1/16"

So, which size is it? .045 or 1/16" ?

It appears to me that the 316 label was put on by mistake.

I regret making that suggestion. My eyes still hurt!

You guys must be too young to remember those beer commercials.

I will even volunteer to be a judge for tryouts!

How about a Swedish Bikini welding team? That might liven things up.

The guard can be a real pain in the backside. I cuss mine all of the time. However, when that disk breaks, it is worth every cuss word. I've had 2 shatter in the last year, with no injuries. I also keep the guard between me, and the work.

This weeks podcast brought back a lot of old memories. I worked in the aviation world for about 25 years. Multiple times was told to sign off an airplane as Airworthy, when it wasn't. Told to sign, or I didn't have a job anymore. My response every time..... "Let me pack up my toolbox". The...

Sounds like you were slowly turning to the dark side.

Lol

18 months ago,I was very happy with the welder. Then, on AC, the arc began to have starting problems. It also would get unstable when I was tapering off. Over time it got worse, but it still works great on DC. It has an excellent DC arc with great fine control. The AC used to be similar till it star...

You said you were thinking about getting a 255EXT. I have one that is just 2 years old. About six months ago, it started acting up on AC. I called NEVERLAST for help getting it fixed. They made up a bunch of poor excuses, blamed it all on me, then refused to fix it. I will NEVER buy anything from th...