Zack's Website

My Egotistic and Esoteric Website

Zack's Metal Work Page

I don't consider myself an expert in metals or metal work for that matter. I can't really tell you in what situation to use hot-rolled steel vs cold rolled steel or if an aluminum cross-member will suffice....but I try.

I don't do a lot of metalwork because I don't have the proper tools, but enjoy it. I have the metal grinders, welding equipment and a little more accuracy is required (but easier to achieve) with metal work. Did I say I like welding, but STINK at it (it holds, but looks ugly)! In 2023, I picked up a plasma cutter and that makes cutting metal just like cutting butter.

Here's some stuff I've fixed or built around the house that I feel is note-worthy.



I'm always learning and never took a shop class in high school. I was always in a college-bound track. I did take a couple of Architectual and Mechanical Design courses, but that's the extent. It's always been a regret of mine that I didn't do more hands on learning.

To that end, in the Summer of 2024, I decided to take an Introduction to Welding class at the local community college. If I did it again, I would have taken this in the winter (boy is it hot in the shop) with the torch going! Anyway, I've learned how to cut with a cutting torch, braze and GMAW (Mig) weld. It's a process and there's an art to all of it.

It's also hot, hard, brutal work. So I repsect the people that do this full time. I've set both boots on fire while torching. 1st degree burns on my left hand knuckles because I'm too stupid to stop when it's hot and I just plow through the pain to finish the job. And I can't tell you how many shirts and jeans I've burnt holes in. On and the smell of burning hair isn't fun either. :-)

Here's a couple of pics of me learning stuff...



I'm also working on a "secret" project for the "farm", that once complete and I'm comfortable with the contraption, I'll share it. Stay tuned.

I've never stick welded (SMAW) before, so I took a couple stabs at it during class and once you get the hang of it, it's not that hard. Here I was using an older Lincoln Electric welder on DC with 7014 rod. The first few welds you can tell the voltage was too low and you got cold or non-penetrating welds.

Here's the difference between 6010 rod vs 7014 rod - notice the smooth finish of 7014 whereas 6010 is a little harder to work with, but a good place to start and learn technique with.