Thursday, July 25, 2013

Chair Repair - Haven't Really Been Missing It


The Missus' big garage sale starts today so I was going through the barn trying to pare down some of my junk and decided my little trailer could go in the sale. This is one of the first things I made when I learned how to weld. I made this to pull behind my dad's riding mower for moving things around. If I'm not mistaken it hauled a couple of small block Chevy short blocks on it way back when. Just like most everything else that came out of my uncle's weld shop - ain't much for looks but hell for strong. Somebody will get a bargain at five bucks.

In between mowing and moving yesterday, I welded up three folding chairs for the gym. Haven't done much welding at home for a while - need to invest in a new welding helmet. I've got one that fits my hard hat with a small lens, one that has a big window but needs a new headgear and an auto-darkening one that needs batteries. I took my good one to the college. Maybe I'll bring that one home and buy a new auto-darkening one for there. I'm not all that crazy about the auto-darkening hoods, mostly because the viewing area is usually pretty small and I have trouble seeing with my bi-focals. 


When I TIG weld little jobs like the chairs, I usually just take my glasses off and stick my nose right down in there. Not really a good idea with the stinky paint on the chairs. Being able to see is a definite plus when welding this thin stuff up, however. I don't miss the high school but I do miss being able to call the welding salesman whenever I needed anything and he'd get it on the truck for me or stop by. I need to do an inventory and then go shopping at a real welding supply to get myself that new helmet and whatever else I need.


As it worked out, about five minutes after I welded up the chairs the Missus was looking for some to accommodate her helpers for the sale today, so that worked out well. After the sale is over, I can put my stuff back in the barn and start working on making my shop a little more user friendly as well as get back to work on the projects. At least I had something to post today that was like the "good old days" at the high school - chair repair. 

  

2 comments:

Surly said...

You're welcome to borrow my big window helmet until you get a new one.

Shop Teacher Bob said...

Thanks for the offer but I should be good until I get something else - maybe another Huntsman like the one I use at work. Big window and the filter plate slides inside the helmet for grinding and chipping.