You will definitely want to use the bill of materials options in Solidworks. You draw centerlines of all materials, then select the specific tubing you want to use. (Weldments) When you are all done, you can create a small spreadsheet showing the lengths of all materials in use. Its pretty handy.

I have an idea, that might be of some merit... I'd propose a voice activated system. Use an Alexa/Siri style voice system to control your TIG welder. Designed for handicapped welders without access to foot pedal controller. The intent here is to create a complete package so that anybody who wanted t...

Have you guys seen paintless dent repair (PDR) on motorcycle tanks? Depends on where you live of course. I live in Vegas, nearest competent PDR folks are in Los Angeles. check out: tjOjYvT0jEU And the bad news.. how do I know this? I dropped a 2x4 on the wifey's tank while doing some woodworking. SV...

Yeah on money, I hear ya. This can get expensive fast. --How are you going to sharpen electrodes? (Bench grinder? Hand held grinder? Belt sander?) --How are you prepping and holding your work metal? (I started with hacksaw, files and a vise. ) --Where are you getting your argon? Small bottles cheap ...

Bob, It sure would be nice to have a tool that enhances the learning experience. I've been really struggling with my TIG welding. I realized I was really fighting against the torch. --It had this really large stiff hose/cable setup. No way could you simply turn your wrist to adjust the torch head. I...

Okay, so lets face it. I sorta suck at TIG welding. I'm pretty decent at getting good puddle control, but alas, I'm a two or three inch welder. I can do two inches of bead really well, but not too much beyond that. I really have issues moving feed wire. So I started this journey watching Jody's 2009...

Did Buggy Chief find the leak that was sucking oxygen into the stream of his argon yet? Did he get the liquid dishsoap, a cheap paint brush, and a water bottle cut in half (to hold a few drops of liquid dishsoap and water mix) and do the complete system bubble leak test yet? My guess is on the torch...

If you've still got it, I'd be curious to confirm, either by part number or with a tape measure to indicate max tube size. Not a major big deal, If you think of it, and its convenient, many thanks. If not , no sweat. Thanks again for all you've already done to educate us on welding and skills improv...

Steve, thanks for the update. I will say I did watch the video on non destructive techniques. One part of the movie sparked some old memories. When I first started at Ford Motor engineering in the early 1980's I wanted to look inside a complicate part without opening it up. Ford had an X-ray area at...

Just please be careful. I knew a guy in the early 1990's. He was the Chief Engineer of Electronics and Fuel Handling at Ford Motor. (Great job with lots of responsibility and very good paycheck.) He was a huge build it yourself airplane guy. He spent five years of his life building a "kit"...

Interesting read, many thanks for sharing...I'm sorta new here, and I will say, its very confusing when you don't describe your abbreviations. What's a NDT? (from the title of the thread...?) Is that an abbreviation for a company name? National Debate Team (that's what the look up engines show...) I...

Jody, I'm a big fan. As always thanks for your work. In the video Stronghand Tools 3 Axis Clamp and other Metal Fabrication Tools http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIYZHpmG7gQ you display a pretty cool holding fixture. I'm considering purchasing the tool after watching your video. I realize that clamp ...