Bill,

I probably should have taken a welding course at a community college or something similar, but there is also no reason why a new welder cannot learn on his own. Many have. Just do not weld anything on which people's lives depend until you know what you are doing.

A welder always looks like a big expense you will not use much and can forego, but once you have one, you will wonder how you ever got along without one and why you waited so long to buy one. The wire feed welders are especially easy to use, especially if most of your welding will be more like tack welds in specific spots on small things rather than running a long bead.

I thought the wire feed welder I bought could be fitted for gas shielding, but I was confused by the almost identical model number of a similar welder and later discovered it can use flux core wire only. I felt a little regret until I had the opportunity to use my son-in-law's big MIG welder on a log splitter project. I think I really prefer my flux core machine. Everything had to be just right on the MIG or it would spit and pop, but the flux core just digs right through a less than perfect surface on metal.

I doubt that I will get to Olympia very often. My wife was raised in Salem, OR and she still has family there, so our travels will likely be south rather than north. It is good to hear from you. Watch Tool King in Denver on the web. My wire feed welder came from them as a factory refurbished unit at a much lower price.

Phil

I am not sure I know for certain to which Instructable you refer. Could it be this one? http://www.instructables.com/id/Auto-battery-charger-for-6-or-12-volt-sytems/

Thank you.

Thank you for your response to my question. The 6 or 12 volt battery charger 'ible was recently featured and has drawn some interest, despite having been first posted 3 1/2 years ago. I did mention using a heat sink in it when I discussed the bridge rectifier in the circuit. I thought perhaps you had seen it. For many years I have thought every home ought have an electrical meter for performing basic tests and people in every home ought know how to use it. About 20 years ago I prepared a handout on that. Finally, I decided to make those notes into an Instructable. I thought it was interesting that some people had come to have a meter, but had no idea what to do with it.

That is fine. Thank you for reading it.

According to the best information I have I am 2nd in the number of Instructables published per person. I believe the top contributor is Tim Anderson with around 240. Thank you for asking and for looking.

Thanks. I hope yours was good, too. I has to be quite late in the evening in the UK. It will be another five plus hours before I go to bed tonight. You are probably asleep already as I am typing this.