[TheForge] autodarkening helmet and other thoughts

[terry l. ridder]

hello;

i purchased the hobart hood patriotic xvp series
part number 770449 auto darkening helmet. i must
say it is extremely nice to be able to start welding
without snapping my neck to drop my helmet.

overall the helmet is nice, at bit on the high side of
price, $204.00 at farm & fleet in dekalb, illinois.

some other items on my shopping list are:

a miller spoolmatic 185 for a millermatic 185. from what i can tell
it looks like miller no longer markets this spoolgun. it is not clear
if any of the spoolgun that they are currently marketing will work
with the millermatic 185. i want the spool gun for welding stainless
steel. may not need it if i am able to become proficient in tig welding.


a miller trailblazer 302 propane or diesel. leaning toward diesel.
have diesel fuel all ready for the tractor and if i take it on one
of the ships diesel fuel will be in plentiful supply. the same can
not be said of propane.

miller spectrum 375 x-treme w/case external compressor required,
portability 18 lbs. the weight is the deciding factor. the spectrum
375 weighs in at 52 lbs and the spectrum 125c weighs in at 44 lbs.
the best price i have been quoted so far is $1,525.00 usd. which is
close to msrp.

i am still looking for several metal lathes. have not found anything
yet that i liked for the amount of coinage they were asking for them.

once i have the oxy-fuel and miller welding gear completed can
start building some of my projects that have been on hold for
many years.

i am thinking of taking the welding classes at kishwaukee community
college to really set down and learn welding. i have also toyed with
the idea of contacting one of several people i know and see how much
they would charge to teach me the art of oxy-fuel welding, mig with
shield gas, flux core mig, and tig. i have been welding for many years
but i know that i have many bad habits when it comes to welding.

i have toyed with the idea of seeing how much i could learn from
george dixon for $20k usd. that is still a dream.

stilling working on getting the timsmithing equipment together.
several people on theforge have offered to look at what they have
in the way of extras and see what we are able to work out. i need
to get those people the list of what i am still looking for.

if anyone would have comments, suggestions, hints, etc on any
of the equipment i have mentioned above please share your thoughts.


-- 
terry l. ridder ><>