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Date:         Thu, 23 Jun 2011 07:17:46 -0400
Reply-To:     ed donnen <spliced.surprise@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         ed donnen <spliced.surprise@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Demons III
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252

Rust Demons III- My Arc Enemy So this is my first time in many a year with an arc welder. As some of you know, you have to wear a face shield with a view port painted so black you can’t see through it, sort of like a glass of Guinness. The trick, and it really is a trick, is to get reaaalll close to the steal with the rod, and drop the shield before you get a hairs breath closer to strike the arc. My first attempt to strike an arc resulted in me frying my eyeballs to the back of my skull. I think there is still the shadow of my septum on the cranial interior. It was a light of biblical proportions, a light so intense it would not just turn you into a pillar of salt, but probably into a whole condiment selection of your choice. Then, as many of you more experienced welders would know, the rod was tacked to the metal so I had to break it free, resulting in another flash and some unauthorized welding in the all too near vicinity of my zipper. “Instructor sir, are my pants still smoldering?” Driving home that evening weaving between the dots before my eyes gave me two lanes all to myself. Lots of friendly folks honked a howdy-do and waved as they passed, at least I think that was a wave, can’t be really sure, my focus was still a bit off.

Final score: What with one thing and another, grinding and such; and I went through 3 welders and two grinders trying to get the equipment to work properly, I used up 3 hours of class time. One side gate hinge back on, needing some cleaning up. Also rear bumper nuts tacked in place.

ed- just call me sparky


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