Starting to work out the design for the sidecar brake. Waiting on delivery of a few more shop tools. Then this project is #2 on the list.
Meantime I've got the base pieces that can start getting messaged and fitted. 😎
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Just received some cool stuff from the James F. Lincoln Arc Welding Foundation.
Ordered what turned out to be an incredible book. The Procedure Handbook Of Arc Welding 14th edition. This is like the cross between a text book, history book, and reference bible for arc welding. Covers way more areas than I was expecting.
They also offer some pretty cool welding project kits, so I ordered up a bunch of the coupons for practice since I haven't done any welding in at least seven years. 33 lbs of fun. 🙂 It is all 1/4" material, was hoping it would be of different thickness, but at least I shouldn't burn through. lol
Tomorrow I'll get busy melting metal. Tonight will be delving more into the book.
They also included a welding safety pamphlet, with the guy on the cover wearing the same helmet I just bought. Obviously the welder has good taste. 😉
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Very nice, Scott. That's some great equipment.
Two Million Mile Rider
Exploring the World in Comfort
Next book on the list to purchase. before starting on the subframe setup for the Speed 400. Design of Weldments by Omer W. Blodgett.
Have a plan for the design. Will be interesting to see how it stacks up to proper design principles. 😎 Very much enjoy this type of stuff. In my professional career, I had support from all the engineering departments, and their exceptional staff. I could literally take a picture with a cell phone of a very poor pencil drawing. Add a statement of intent, and they would proof it then turn it into a blueprint with their enhancements. Even had their input on personal projects that was super helpful. Being retired does have a few drawbacks. But that's what books and YouTube are for. 🤣
Hold my keyboard and watch this! 🙃
You can do it...
You can do it
You can do it 
Two Million Mile Rider
Exploring the World in Comfort
@scott-h sounds like when I built the Minerva frame.
An advertisement from 120 years previous is not a lot to go by.
You can do it...
You can do it
You can do it
🤣 I'm all over it!
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Finally made the time to melt some metal. 🤩 Definitely having a lot of fun.
The Welding machine and the hood are awesome. The guy holding the MIG gun, not so much. lol
Oh boy am I out of practice. Some good habits are still there. I have somehow maintained a good stick out & gun angle. Also doing good at staying to the front of the puddle. That's about it for the "good".
I keep pulling the gun away too quick at the end of a weld (welder has post flow gas). Keep flipping the helmet up and down, instead of relying on the self darkening mode. Keep holding my breath during the weld. Keep locking my upper body. Etc., etc..
First plate was trying to remember how to weld, dialing in the helmet electronics, and trying different machine settings. Looks like a poor attempt at some kind of art. lol
Second plate is focusing on two simple things, one at a time. Starting with breathing, and then trying to carry a more consistent speed.
Thankfully I've got lots of practice material, and time.
Big goofy smile behind the hood. Did I mention I love this welding helmet! 😍 Wow! technology has definitely moved forward.
Welder (Primeweld MIG180) is also pretty amazing. I've never welded with an IGBT rig. The soft start, voltage/wire feed accuracy, & post flow sure make things easier.
I've learned to keep practice sessions very simple & short. Lots of shorter lessons focused on one or maybe two things max at a time. Much like training a puppy. Next lesson starts with a quick review of the last, then moves forward based on retention. Not being a "natural" at anything requires patience. Competence and confidence will come with many quality sessions.
This method relies on the principle of operant conditioning, where positive consequences (treats) are used to strengthen the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.
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Soooooooo, ring a bell and give him a treat? BTW, what is the treat for successful welds?
The things you are doing look a lot like the practice i see from the JH welders when I cover for the shop instructor at school. Way better than i could do so…Keep calm and weld on!
Illegitemi non carborundum est!
The Treat of Want-to-Be welders everywhere. 🤩 (Specific to my exact location)
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Superb!
Illegitemi non carborundum est!
Looking good, Scott.
Weld On
Two Million Mile Rider
Exploring the World in Comfort
@scott-h you are off to a great start, picking the skills back up.
Lovely Miller helmet. I cheaped out and did HF's best Vulcan helmet and am still really enjoying the electronics. What an improvement from the old days!
Glad you like the Primeweld Mig. I sure enjoy their TIG unit, and suspect that the MIG will be a future addition to the shop, should I start another build.
Will be fun to follow your build!
