I've decided to start writing about these past 10 months... the months I spent as a welder.. so that I do not forget them. We'll see what, if anything, makes the blog. But here, to help me remember!
some photographic evidence of my time there:
The Weld Shop
My Machine
Okay.. so. The machine above is a multi-process L-Tec 650 cv/cc DC power source. It can perform in cv (MIG) or cc (TIG, stick). We used it for two purposes: MIG welding and air-arcing. MIG is a weld process that uses a wire-feeder, carbon dioxide gas, and a DC power current. Basically, I held this heavy plastic gun, connected to a huge rubber cord, which was connected to a big powerful machine. I would aim the gun at the steel. I would pull the trigger, and when I did wire and electricity would shoot out with such heat as to weld the steel together. Or cauterize your coveralls. or gore through your hand. (in my nightmares). Air-arcing employs a copper electrode and the force of pressurized air. The electrode is for INSTANTLY GOUGING HOLES OUT OF SOLID STEEL. the air flow is for blowing the molten-hot-blood-red-flesh-burning-steel the F out of the way before your sleeve catches on fire, your skin sears, you choke back angry tears, and your hope disappears.
And the T-51 Pot, product of our travails:
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