Doug Boyd

@Grant Pratt got it. Since I relocated my shop out in to the desert south of Tucson, I've been having all of my shearing done directly at IMS when I purchase the stainless sheet. But its' the drop that I end up with at my shop where a heavy duty shear would come in handy. And a 10ft brake. And a 10ft CNC.😉I suppose I need to get more power in the shop 🤩

Doug Boyd

1 like • 10d

@Grant Pratt So true

Grant Pratt

24d •

Admin Posts

300 Members 🎉

Big milestone for the group as we hit 300 members! Thank you all for contributing and helping each other. I love seeing the community we are creating! I would also like to give a big shoutout to @Carlos Molina For making the most posts in December for the December challenge that I gave you all. Carlos your effort and drive to become better is exactly what I want to see in all of our members and you are exactly the kind of person that I want to help make their effort pay off.

New comment 23d ago

Doug Boyd

1 like • 24d

Congrats @Grant Pratt well done, a great milestone for sure

Doug Boyd

29d •

General discussion

What kind of welding projects do you like?

I get the feeling that many of the projects that people here are working on might be vehicle related for some reason. But that's only based on the few post of peoples projects. Does anyone here do any "creative/artistic" type projects? Now that's not to say that vehicle related projects aren't creative because there some really cool welding projects for vehicles, I have many people reach out with questions on applying a "rusted" finish on their vintage truck projects which look very cool. This is a sculpture I'm working on here in Spain using Corten.

New comment 27d ago

What kind of welding projects do you like?

Doug Boyd

1 like • 28d

@Grant Pratt I need to try aluminum. I do primarily stainless TIG for the custom water features i build. I remember having my TIG machine for almost 8 months before I even pull it out of the box and give it a first run. I have been a big guy for so long the thought of having to prep material meticulously kept me from trying it sooner. But now I love it

Doug Boyd

1 like • 28d

@Grant Pratt cool thanks

Tony Costa

29d •

Welding Help

Tungsten usage

I have a question regarding tungsten. I do apologize if it has been asked already but did not see it. I know a lot has been mentioned about contamination and we need to have dedicated stainless wire brushes for aluminum and steel. Would it be the same for tungsten? If a tungsten was used on steel can it be used on aluminum as long as it was reground to remove any contaminates?

New comment 28d ago

Doug Boyd

3 likes • 29d

While I haven't tried to weld aluminum with the same tungsten as I use on my stainless projects, I've wondered the same thing. Here's what I found, short answer: Yes — technically you can. Realistically: don’t. Can you reuse it? If a tungsten was used on steel and then: - You grind it back far enough to remove all contamination, and - You re-shape it correctly for aluminum, …it will function. Why it’s still a bad idea Aluminum TIG (AC) is extremely sensitive to contamination. Steel, carbon, and filler residues embedded in the tungsten will: - Destabilize the arc - Cause wandering / spitting - Create black soot and dirty puddles - Contaminate your aluminum weld (porosity, inclusions) Even microscopic steel contamination can mess up aluminum. If you must reuse one in a pinch Do this exactly: 1. Grind off at least 1/4"–3/8" (6–10 mm) from the tip. 2. Use a clean wheel dedicated to tungsten only (not your flap disc graveyard). 3. Re-grind longitudinally. 4. Shape appropriate for AC aluminum. 5. Wipe with acetone. 6. Expect it still might act weird. Hope this helps