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Shhh! Don't Tell the HOA
July 3, 2007
Garages are for tools right? I have to admit in 24 years of driving I cannot remember parking a vehicle other than a motorcycle in the garage. My garage is full of metal and woodworking tools. There are shelves full of everything. The neighbors love it! Occasionally the wives get a little upset because the guys are hanging out with a cold beverage watching me work.
Do you take your knowledge for granted? I do. If you are scratching your head thinking what the heck is he talking about give me a minute to explain.
As I mentioned earlier I have everything in the garage including a knee mill, lathe, welders etc. I am also the father of a teenage son that loves to mount wheels to his feet for transportation, I prefer sitting he prefers standing. A few months ago he puts in a request for a “grinding rail” not your conventional grinding tool but a square or round tube 6 to 8 feet in length elevated above the ground - height is the “Grinders” choice.
I decided to start the grinding rail project on a cool night back during winter. I laid out the parts, got out the port-a-band and went to work. After de-burring the parts I set up a weld station. During this time the guys were all hanging out in the driveway half paying attention to me and half talking among themselves.
I grabbed a welding helmet, yeah its one of those cool self darkening types, and donned my jacket and gloves. It was at this point the inquisition began. How does that work? Why are you wearing all that stuff? Welding 101 had begun. I rummaged through some junk that should have been thrown away years ago and found an old helmet. Each neighbor took turns watching the welding process with amazement.
Striking an arc in an open garage on a dark night is bound to get someone’s attention. By the end of the project I had a few inquiries as to the purpose of my garage. Shhh! Don’t tell the HOA I’m building a time machine.
Welding On the Web
http://www.plantengineering.com/search/siteall?q=welding
http://www.weldingengineer.com/
http://www.aws.org/
Posted by David Sanders on July 3, 2007 | Comments (2)
