Did not have time to read the other posts thoroughly, but there sure seems to be some good experience, knowledge and technical information on the subject here, can't say thanks enough for the help I have received here on the subject, and it far exceeds my knowledge on same.
Only thing I can say is it is most definitely a highly valuable, practical skill, sometimes an art to learn, with all the variables, processes, and field conditions involved.
I also think that if one owns equipment, etc. being self sufficient to fabricate, make repairs etc. is just extremely valuable, I saw that myself very clearly this spring while helping a farmer plant 300+ acres, so far by welding I repaired the cultipacker 2x, the disc 2x (2nd repair is what it needed the 1st time), and just over the weekend, rebuilt the worn out quick tach couplings on his 265 JD loader, which would have cost him 3x-4x more by the local shop, I got it done for about $200, strong, looks professional too. I welded mostly vertical joints, with his old AC miller, 225 or 250 amp welder, had him pick up some Forney 1/8" 7018 electrode, and boy did I like the results of that combination on his old welder, at about 130 amps. I have my machine over there, and between us all we had was 7018 DC electrode, which just likes to stick like heck off that AC machine, just makes it a real pain to do what you want, but he was headed out for supplies, told him to get AC electrode, the root pass on the half pipe radius on the top coupling I did vertical down and it just laid in there like a steamfitter did it, it was rewarding to see that my work came out nice, was strong and looked nice.
Welding safety, well you should ( and so should I ) take a vo-tech class etc. remember the fumes are toxic, the eye protection, put plugs in your ears, etc. etc. One thing is for sure, I could not do this full time, separates the men from the boys no doubt, it can be real dirty nasty work sometimes, if not most of the time, you can inhale some nasty things, sparks, hot slag, UV light etc. Remember fire safety and think your work out carefully. It is well worth knowing, as it makes all the difference when something breaks in the field and you need to do repairs immediately. I have one of those Lincoln 225 AC units from the early/mid 80's and a Miller Trailblazer NT 251 with a 20 HP Onan, latter is handy for field/mobile work, AC/DC, you can switch polarity, add a wire feed etc. but that good ole Lincoln 225 buzz box turns up on craigslist every so often, and should be able to be bought reasonable.
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Today's Featured Article - Women and Tractors - Tractor Engine Repair - by Teri Burkholder. One of the great things about working on a tractor engine with your other half is that you know what he is thinking of at all times and can anticipate his every move and his next thought of what he will do. With Ben, anyway, I can tell! He'll be busy working and I’m handing him tools and he says, "give me that..." and I’ve already got it in his hand or "hand me that....."and I’ve got the portable light right where he needed it placed to see. "Run in the house and get me a...."as I open th
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