Mystified by Rising Credit Rates?

[Clipper]

It is funny that you mention welding Gear. I have never mastered that skill, but I recently have thought about it. I recently bought a really nice metal cut off saw at and auction really reasonably, with the intention of reselling it. I looked around the property hear, and I have a lot of metal laying about, angle iron and pipe of all sorts. Most of which is stored up in the building in my back yard from the previous owners pack rat syndrome.

I understand that the newer welders are much easier to operate, with wire feed etc. than the old lincoln arc welders were, that I have attempted to master. I can braze, but never could run a bead worth a damn with an electric welder.

I think it would be fun to do a little ornamental iron work, or some amateur sculpture, just for fun and relaxation.

Being a tool addict anyhow, I may just purchase a small entry level welder, and try it on for size. What would you suggest for a starter, and how much would I have to invest? I already have an acetylene torch outfit, but haven't bought gas or O2 for it in years.

[gearofzanzibar]

Jun 4, 2009 15:56:24 GMT -5 Clipper said:

I looked around the property hear, and I have a lot of metal laying about, angle iron and pipe of all sorts. Most of which is stored up in the building in my back yard from the previous owners pack rat syndrome.

Oh, if you think that scrap metal pile is big now just wait.

Ha.

Ha ha.

Bwahahahahahahaha!

I already have an acetylene torch outfit, but haven't bought gas or O2 for it in years.

I'd start with that. Stop by at the local welding supply and make sure your valves and tanks are still sound and if they'll accept your old tanks for fresh ones. They'll also be able to point you towards any classes in the area as well as providing safety gear like gauntlets, masks, an apron, and chaps. If you just want to fiddle around to start you can probably get by with gauntlets and goggles, but make sure you wear old, all-natural fiber clothes and sturdy boots. Synthetic fibers are the devil's invention- a stray spark can melt them to your skin or turn them into napalm.

I'd say the easiest and most rewarding project for a beginner would be cutting decorative silhouettes out of scrap sheet from the junkyard. The raw materials are cheap, the results can be spectacular and easily sold, and learning to cut and feather edges has a ton of applications. After that you can turn some of that angle steel and some plate into your own welding table and then the sky's the limit, both in terms of what you can create and how much you can spend on new toys. Luckily, those silhouette projects can produce enough income from sales at craft fairs and the like to support your new habit.

[snickers]

Jun 4, 2009 0:10:34 GMT -5 Ralph said:

A month after Chase bought out WaMu my interest rate (APR) went up to 31.99%!!!

And my monthly payments from $68 to 96 a month!

Pure unadulterated bullshit.

That's hideous! I've been doing the DeathDance with BOA for a while now. Your credit score is heavily affected by the percentage of UNused credit you have on your credit lines. BOA has been steadily reducing my the credit limits on my open lines, therefore decreasing that margin of unused credit and chiselling away at my credit score in spite of my paying on time, and more than the minimum, and not adding any more charges, etc.

Bastages. That's what they are.....Bastages!