After this crappy spring, it's been a good day

[wdfifteen]

70 degrees and sunny all day!
MrsWD hired a young guy (Al) to help her with her flower gardens. She needed me to keep him busy while she got her sh - stuff together. I had a project inspired by MrsWD to organize the rats nest of garden posts we had laying on the floor in the barn. It was really just a pile of steel posts and miscellaneous junk sprawled on the floor. I was about to throw out the pallet that our new bathtub came on when she said, "You know, if you nailed that up against the barn wall you could organize all our garden posts in it." My wife is one smart, creative woman.
So Al and I set about cleaning up the mess and mounting the pallet and organizing the posts and the result is perfect!



While we were working he asked about my truck (it was sitting right there in the barn) and what all I did to restore it and mentioned that he is studying drafting and machining now because he is interested in metal work. OK, the wheels started turning. I have a 26 foot long steel grate that is backbreaking to move and I have needed to cut in two since we moved here 3 years ago. Kid is interested in metal work. Hmmm.
"Do you know how to use a cutting torch?"
"No."
"Well you will pretty soon!"
He was stoked, and who wouldn't be. Fire! Steel! Destroying stuff!
He was so happy about getting to do some basic steel work it didn't bother him that we had to manhandle this 100 pounds of steel out of the pit.
I got my grate cut in two and made a young man happy at the same time. Made my day!

[Bugsinrugs]

Wish I was there. Need to learn how to use a torch.

[ckelly78z]

I have an old cutting torch set that I need to upgrade, and re-fill the (probably expired by now) tanks. I would like to take up brazing, and oxyacetylene welding again.

Due to my 5 year old pace maker, I am no longer allowed to use my tombstone arc welder, or my wire buzzbox, they can really mess with the electronics, and put me into defib !

[Baz]

I installed three hooks and got 3 of my bicycles hung up today. Also two more hooks for 2 of my backpack sprayers. Feels SO good to make some headway on organizing your sh....stuff......

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

I have an old cutting torch set that I need to upgrade, and re-fill the (probably expired by now) tanks. I would like to take up brazing, and oxyacetylene welding again.

Due to my 5 year old pace maker, I am no longer allowed to use my tombstone arc welder, or my wire buzzbox, they can really mess with the electronics, and put me into defib !

I believe you can take measures to greatly reduce the risk. I did some reading. I won't personally recommend welding when a pacemaker is installed and no one would pursue a career in welding, or hang out in a welding environment with one.

However, even the alternator in your car produces EMR, so don't hug the thing when it's running.

With transformer types of welding equipment and proper distancing, welding at relatively low amps is entirely plausible. But you decide, not me. Just for grins, look up Faraday Cage. Also, in general for all welders (weldors), stay high and dry. Meaning, don't weld so close to your face (and body) that you are absorbing the max EMR and make sure your body itself is not a potential for electrical current. Rubber soled boots are mandatory in all but the best conditions.

Other measures include twisting your leads together and not ever having them coiled. Plus, place the machine on the opposite side of the work, not beside or behind you. Same goes for the grounding clamp, close to the weld but clamped in a position between the weld and and machine.

Those are just some simple rules and practices for anyone to ensure better health when welding.