Forum noob from NorCal

[youngnstudly]

I figured I would be sociable and say Hello to everyone on here, after all, it is Thanksgiving. I am looking forward to getting the 160STH welder that I ordered early this month. Like many others on here, I learned to gas weld and arc weld in high school (14 years ago) and I did a lot of MIG welding at home using my father's Miller Sidekick during those years as well. I then moved onto getting MIG and Stick (limited all position) structural certifications and learning TIG welding at the local Junior college (right out of high school). In 2004 I became a Union Sheet Metal Worker and served my 5 year apprenticeship, before going onto disability for health issues. While I can't do all the things I once could, I still enjoy welding, metal fabrication, working on old cars, and sewing (time and health permitting of course). I have a ton of little projects I'd love to build, as well as a few I still need to finish, and I'm hoping this winter will give a chance to do that. Only time will tell....


Andy

[undercut]

Welding, metal fabrication, working on old cars - I think you're going to be surrounded by others with many of the same interests in this forum. Sewing, not so sure as it hasn't come up in the time I've been here!

Welcome to the forum and I know that feeling of waiting for that special package to arrive. Just like Christmas!

[youngnstudly]

Thank you for the warm welcome! I love the feeling of buying something and knowing that the UPS truck could stop at your place and make a delivery at any time without warning. I call it the "UPS rush"... Of course UPS probably uses that term when teaching their drivers about "drive-by deliveries" (where the driver tosses parcels over fences and onto porches without stopping or getting out of the UPS truck)!

Don't worry about not having an interest in sewing. Most men only speak of sewing after they find out that redoing the interior in their hot rod will cost more than they are willing to spend. I'll get the last laugh though when I stitch up a cool welder cover and become the envy of the entire forum! You'll see! Thinking back on it, I don't think I've ever met anyone that covers their welder up in the first place! That would explain why the market is lacking (LOL).

[undercut]

Got a tip for you, don't peek at the tracking information. That will give away the date of arrival and part of the surprise. LOL

Don't laugh about the welder covers! The topic of welder covers has come up at least a couple of times in the past 6 months and if you make some up for yourself, you WILL get the attention of some of the other members.

Again, welcome to the forum and hope to hear about the projects you create.

[youngnstudly]

Too late, I peeked at the tracking number a week ago. The problem is it was suppose to arrive Monday (according to the tracking number), then Everlast said they would ship out early this week, yet my tracking number says that the package is still in San Francisco as it was last Friday. If I hadn't paid for shipping already, I probably would have driven down there and picked it up myself! It's only an hour and a half to drive from here! Patience has never been my strong point! I do feel a lot better after venting though!

[undercut]

Tracking numbers can be funny that way. Do a little meditation and watch welding.tv to get prepped for the big arrival. You know, if you make some green welder covers, you might be able to do some brisk business on this forum! Give you something to do while you wait for that UPS guy to pull up. Take care.

[Winky]

Welcome to the forum Andy ... ah the anticipation of the arrival a new machine ... it can make you crazy. Soon it will all come together, I remember when I ordered my 200DX ... the wait was killing me but then ... it came and it was really worth the wait. Hang in there!

[redbeard]

Welcome Andy, sewing is a handy skill to have, I always have to beg the wife to make things like welder covers or a helmet bag, then wait till she actually gets around to it.

[cbmkr]

Ditto that Andy ,The sewing machine is a must, I have broken 3 of my wifes machines in the 36 years we have been married, I now have my own machine and use the H out of it. I have made a lot of camper awnings, seat covers for ATV', UTV's and a lot of other repair that needs to be done. I would really like one of the old commercial machines the upholstery guys use.

[undercut]

Ditto that Andy ,The sewing machine is a must, I have broken 3 of my wifes machines in the 36 years we have been married, I now have my own machine and use the H out of it. I have made a lot of camper awnings, seat covers for ATV', UTV's and a lot of other repair that needs to be done. I would really like one of the old commercial machines the upholstery guys use.

Sewing machine is just another tool to fabricate things. My wife won't let me near hers.

I'll need to jury rig a welder cover. I suspect there is a demand for green covers out there.

[youngnstudly]

Thank you all for continuing the warm sincere welcomes! I've been considering making some covers to sell, but I have a feeling it will take quite a bit of trial and error to get things right. I have some "off the wall" ideas, but we'll see what happens with it all as I'm not sure the world is ready for my ideas (LOL). I did roll my sewing machine out and "dust it off" tonight, so maybe I can start playing around with a few cover ideas. I was hoping to get my welder first so I'd have an idea of what color green to shop for for my "final" 160STH cover, but for starters I have an excess amount of upholstery grade bright white vinyl to mess around with. I started out a few years back sewing on a "home machine" at first, and soon realized that it wouldn't work well on auto upholstery! The Juki I have makes things much easier for sewing heavy material in multiple layers. "Housewife machines" do have the cool stitch features though. Hey wait, isn't this a welding forum?

[Winky]

My wife's sewing machine brings in about half the money we make at events ... our banner reads Winky Enterprises ... motorsports and fabrication cloth to steel