Thanks Doug <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

I think you should get a cheap ass walmart helmet, and figure out how to drop it before you start a bead. Then you will be able to weld in alot more conditions, and not HAVE to have your auto darkening helmet.



This is exactly why you need safety welding flip flops. They come off really easy, and they are nice and cool.



You need a Dewalt grinder, and LOTS of disks for it. You're gonna be using it alot.


Just 1 thing to remember. If you go drop a grand on welding equipment, don't get discouraged because you can't make this or that work. You can't get this metal to weld right. things like that are going to happen. It's gonna take alot of practice to be able to make welds that you trust your life to. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Good Luck.

Don't forget a shop fan, you don't want to breath that stuff <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drunk.gif" alt="" />

Don't want to blow away the shielding gas either. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />

Just something to keep the air circulating in the shop, put the fan behind you on low that way the helmet catches the fresh air and your body protects the shielding gas.

Here is a quick run down on welding fumes <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drunk.gif" alt="" />

http://brassmein.com/articles/weldingrods.htm

Easy problem to fix! Just do all your welding on the trail <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/nana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />

To quote a badass UDT guy......."Propper prior planning prevents Pi$$ poor performance."

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I like my Lincoln AC225 buzz box. It was super cheap and works well. The welds aren't pretty, but for the $60 I paid for the used welder, it's awesome. It will handle any size metal I need.

Check out your local classifieds or craigslist if it's active in your area.