Although Lanse didn't explain it as such, to me the amazing part of the demo was that the welder was still functioning properly given the inevitable voltage drop in 250' of cable between the generator and the welder. That speaks very well of the tolerance of the unit for operating on low voltage.

maker of things wrote:Larry, did you get the pedal? and if so, how do you like it?

I got it. Haven't got to put much time on it, but it works as advertised. Friend of mine has more time on it and says it's great.

How about this? Spool gun is $315.

https://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.com/ ... g-w1004201

I have one, and it's a great machine for MIG and stick. I don't have the spool gun.

Larry

So I came down with my band to Florida and went to Disney and universal. I along with all my buddies noticed that paid attention to the opposite of everybody else. Instead of the ride I looked at the welds and the basic fab job done. All the handrails and ride supports. Of course I couldn't just no...

motox wrote:you have to wonder why it broke??
maybe braze with OA..
craig

I'm guessing it broke because something got banged into it. Something getting moved around in the shop, or it was broken while the lathe was being moved.

Larry

motox wrote:kids today don't dream about building stuff,
they dream about buying stuff.
craig

That is a sad truth with very few exceptions.

Larry

You might check a local electric motor rebuild house for a new commutator and brushes. Also, for another way to ground a shaft, I'm including a link to Adam Booth's, Abom79 on YouTube, series for his rotary welding table build. This episode has him forming his contacts, and I don't remember which of...

I first heard about 'em from Jody. That's where I got mine. I heard that BSX just started selling them.

He says "there's my commutator" and then I can't make out the next word. Sorta sounds like "gear" or "there". The device looks like a commutator frame and brushes from an electric motor, and it's definitely being used to ground the shaft.

Thanks, y'all. Looks like that's the one I'm getting.

Merry Christmas,
Larry

Merry Christmas, y'all. Wishing everyone a great holiday season, a very Happy (and safe) New Year...and a wonderful 2017.

So, about a year and a fraction ago, I got an AHP AlphaTIG 200x, so that (with Jody's help) I could teach myself how to TIG weld. Tried it with the torch switch and never got the time to do more than dip my tungsten a few times. Had some folks tell me "just learn with the pedal from the git-go&...

I've had good luck with Radnor gear over the years.

This might help. Make sure of the size you have. Looks like there's two diameters.

http://www.brownells.com/reloading/relo ... 61088.aspx

Larry

For $50 I'd just buy one. If your time's worth anything at all you're gonna be in it more than $50 just in time. Not even counting materials.

Poland308 wrote:That is always a sad day. Out to the shop to weld something up quick. Go to turn on the gas and your first thought is who cranked this valve down because I can't open it? Then you realize it's already on! SOB I'm an idiot!

Sure glad I'm not the only one that's done that

All the grounding rods I've ever run across (including 12 years as an electrician) have been copper plated steel.

I don't have any Redding dies, but for RCBS and Lee dies the decapping pins are really cheap. Since I switched to a Lee Universal Decapping Die years back, I keep 2 or 3 spare pins in stock all the time. Saves time and trouble.

I was all set to buy a cheap import plasma cutter, but the website didn't register the advertised discount so I scrapped the idea. I saved up another month and had my LWS order a Hypertherm Powermax 30 Air for me. One of the best decisions I ever made. It's a great little unit with the built-in comp...

We shouldn't underestimate the 120 volt machines. I have a Lincoln SP 135+ that I keep loaded for FCAW just for quick small repairs, outdoors jobs, and to loan to friends, etc. I used it to build a rack for my pickup, among other projects. Neat little machine.

Farmwelding wrote:Know if you had more time you could have built a redo our tank and a pipeline that feeds into it so all you do is crack the valve once a day and fill it up out of a large tank.

Or put a float valve in the small tank so it replenishes as needed...

Looks to me like essentially the same machine. Miller calls it Auto-Set, Hobart calls it EZ-Mode. Same thing. I'd take whichever one has the best price.

Nice to have you back, John. Been missing your projects...and that great Alaskan scenery. Headed over to YouTube now for the slide show.

Larry

I just got back from Fabtech where I got an in-use demo of the Optrel vegaview 2.5. The full color lens system gets rid of the traditional monochrome view of the average helmet, and the field of view is much wider than usual. Great helmet. I'm going to get one to replace my Miller Digital Elite.

According to the manual for the 256Si (couldn't find just the 256s manual), the max inrush current (when it's first turned on) is 40 amps. And the max operating amps is 32. Looks like you're in good shape to run it off the genset.

Larry