Santacarl

Thanks all......I was wondering about the flat/thicker issue.....that 1/4 round is obviously neither.....so I'd probably end up with an eviscerated puddle on the floor.....

Yep..... From what I understand, reading up on it, you have to use 100% argon instead of the typical mixture of 75/25 argon-CO2....but it can be done....of course I also understand that it's easier with TIG....since you're dealing with a more precise/smaller target area.....

Hey all... I posted over on the wireframe thread about using aluminum for wireframes but after thinking about it I guess I should have posed a more technical question in this thread. Can you weld 1/4 inch aluminum rods without burning them up? I ask because, after reading up on MIG welding, it seems it's possible to weld aluminum with a MIG but since aluminum conducts heat so well there seems to be an issue with getting too hot and hence burn throughs..... About the only thing I can find on welding aluminum talks about welding flat stock of some flavor....can't find anything about round rod welding.....was wondering if I would ever be able to 'stick' 2 pieces together....I understand there would be a learning curve on how to handle aluminum differently than with steel....and I don't mind investing the time in practice.....but would like to know the likelihood of success before I waste a lot of time on something that isn't practical... Also....what kind of amperage would you use on aluminum.....low or high? Thanks for any response...... I'm trying to decide on my next project of 8 life-sized reindeer and sleigh!

Hi all.... Has anyone tried using aluminum 1/4 inch rod for wireframes? I understand that you can weld aluminum with a MIG welder....and just looking at them they seem pretty sturdy.....Light weight...no rust.... Sounds interesting.....

I can see how that would be the case...... Good feedback....thanks...

Naaah....you can NEVER have enough lights! When You can finally make that admission that is the point you know you're hooked on this 'hobby'!

Thanks Cliff.... Just wondering what was the big difference that swayed you? The look of it, crpwd reaction, or the sequencing aspects?

Actually I was thinking of several variations of chase.....one sort of like you describe ending at the foot of the Hybred Spiral Mega Tree....sort of a fuse effect to ignite the big tree....

If I am following correctly you are sporting 760 lights per tree? Is that a 3 footer? Looking good BTW.....

Hey everyone.... Now that the current display is up and running I now turn my thoughts to planning for next year in order to place light orders early... I'm thinking of adding 15 mini trees next year....1 color to start with....I would like to solicit some opinion on the most eyecatching layout of them. I'm debating, but could be convinced of others, 2 layouts right now: 1 = chase---in a line 2 = wedge (shaped like a Christmas tree---5 mini's on bottom row, 4 on next row up...etc up to 1 mini on the top....all seperated by 4-5 feet....making a large footprint with lots of options to do things other than just a chase which certainly could be done around the outside of the wedge also....just not a 15 mini long lengthwise chase. Thoughts? I would appreciate any.... I'm torn..... Thanx SC

Thanks for the link....I tried a search before posting but for some reason I didn't see this link pop up.....

Hi All, I'm looking at adding a contributions box for charity this year. I would be interested in hearing what others have used..... Went down to the big box hardwares and checked out mail boxes etc.....but really wasn't moved by anything I saw....Mostly due to no ability to lock most.... Any thoughs would be appreciated... SC

Thanks guys....I knew I would get a helping hand.......

Hi all.... I build wireframes and have always done them by brazing them.... I am about to move to a different rhelm with a welder since I need to step up the size rod I'm using for a project that requires more structural integrity.....brazing a 1/4" rod is somewhat problematic in and of itself but even with a good braze.....the weight of the figures I'm looking at tends to bring on added stresses which would be better served with a weld. So here's the question.....if you butt two pieces of 1/4" steel rod together to join them with a weld do you have to ground both rods or just 1 of them? Yes....I understand that if both are on a welding table with a steel top both will be grounded anyway but right now I don't have that luxury....at least not yet....so until I do I am wondering the best way to do it....I ask for multiple reasons....1) thinking on how to set up to weld the new figures (without a metal table to clamp the pieces onto) and 2) I have some older wireframes that were brased and they tend to break from time to time at the points where they are brazed....I would like to 'tack' them together with the MIG if the future....can I do that while they are freestanding? I know some of you do this all the time and I'm sure you're shaking your head....but how else is a guy gonna learn? SC

Exactly what I was thinking....that's the only thing that seems plausable.... Was hoping someone had done that already to give me some feedback... I plan on videoing it so I'll post the link in December.....if all goes well.... SC