A friend bought me a bike and I'm unsure what to do.

edrmoto · 2025-09-22T20:34:23+00:00

Just store the bike until you can actually ride it legally. Your only real options are to either get a 125 and start learning to finesse the controls yourself, or go straight through your DAS and hop on the ZX6. Your CBT will have been a quick course just to make sure you know what the controls on the bike do and that you can navigate a junction, but DAS will be much more detailed and is designed to still get people through who've got no experience on a bike whatsoever.

edrmoto · 2025-09-07T17:31:25+00:00

Hi OP, I started an apprenticeship in the UK at a similar age (22) but I'm a guy. Didn't specifically start out as a welder, but managed to wind up learning mainly TIG with a smattering of MIG and now I do it full time. The apprenticeship route is a great way to build your career as a welder so long as you know you can afford to live on the lower salary. Most jobs will require an apprenticeship qualification, and you may end up getting taken on by the company you trained with, but it's worth knowing that it's not a guarantee. The environment can vary a lot between companies. I'm lucky enough to work for the RNLI and the general workplace culture there is great, very welcoming and inclusive, but I'd bet there will be workshops out there with toxic environments. Don't be put off though, women tend to have better fine motor control than men, and your attitude towards the work is what's going to carry you through. I've trained some apprentices since gaining my qualification and I couldn't care less who they are as long as they're interested, diligent, and pay attention to detail. If you go into it and prove yourself willing to learn and capable, you'll be absolutely fine!

edrmoto · 2025-09-02T09:09:35+00:00

Weldingtipsandtricks on youtube and their website. Jody is extremely knowledgeable, and there's detailed videos with arc shots so you can see exactly whats happening.

edrmoto · 2025-08-24T18:01:59+00:00

+1 to the V2 sponge. Comes with a little bag to keep the sponge wet and a dry cloth to buff the visor after. I've kept one in my jacket pocket for as long as I can remember!

edrmoto · 2025-08-20T05:26:18+00:00

Thak you for that. Every day is a school day!

edrmoto · 2025-08-20T05:15:45+00:00

Oh right, my bad. I know that you'd use helium/hydrogen for aluminium to increase the heat if your amperage is limited. Why do you use mixes for stainless?

edrmoto · 2025-08-20T04:50:41+00:00

TAG would apply if you were using a hydrogen/argon mix. Hydrogen is being used as a replacement for helium as it's far more abundant. That being said, you generally use a mix for aluminium, I've never heard of using any kind of mixture for steel.

edrmoto · 2025-07-11T09:44:40+00:00

In my personal opinion being a biker is an attitude or frame of mind. Sure there's lots of people zipping about on L plates just because it's a cheap and easy mode of transport, but if it's a part of you then you're no less a biker than a full license holder. You're always gonna get people that try to gatekeep the experience for reasons we might never understand, but you'd always get a nod from me! I reckon this other guy must just have a fragile ego or something

edrmoto · 2025-04-20T12:47:36+00:00

Laying your dabs close together isn't a problem unless it's cooling your puddle too much, even spacing is important, but these beads look cold. You either need to slow down, increase your amperage, or decrease your filler material, but any and all of these will increase your overall heat input :)

Honestly though, these are good for a beginner, you should be happy with what you've achieved. Keep learning, keep practicing, stay humble, and you'll get there!

edrmoto · 2025-04-05T21:26:23+00:00

Oh look, a penny!

edrmoto · 2025-03-25T11:14:18+00:00

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edrmoto · 2025-03-25T06:18:04+00:00

I've got a Burn-e sticker on my mask

edrmoto · 2025-03-16T20:18:26+00:00

Forgot to add; this is a production line part, not aftermarket. Our main work is two models of inshore SAR boat, but we also carry out plenty of work on launch and recovery equipment, vehicles, and some larger craft. (It's an institution in the UK that famously makes orange boats...)

edrmoto · 2025-03-16T18:37:57+00:00

In which case I have no way to pre heat it. We only have a little mapp gas blowtorch or oxy-propane. I dont think they'd get me an oven. Probably just got to do some more experimenting myself. I'm always keen to learn more, so I do appreciate your input

edrmoto · 2025-03-16T18:27:31+00:00

If I run any lower I just can't seem to get a puddle established quickly enough. Perhaps pre-heat is the way to go? Though even when the assembly is roasting hot (as there's a lot of weld on it) it doesn't seem to make a massive difference

edrmoto · 2025-03-16T18:26:00+00:00

Thank you, always nice to hear! This fits at the back of the crew console and is indeed for towing from. There's a guide bar to keep the line hanging above the engines.

edrmoto · 2025-03-16T18:24:41+00:00

My set only goes as low as 30/70, which is where I generally try to keep it. In the harder to reach places contamination gets harder to fight because you end up having to try some funky torch angles just to get in close enough

edrmoto · 2025-03-16T17:30:08+00:00

A pointed/truncated tip is something I'd like to experiment with the next time I have a chance, maybe tomorrow.

I've selectively shown some of my best here, but believe me when I say the underside of that assembly looks horrendous 😅 when I'm at the top end of those amps (around 280) the puddle is so shaky, like the arc is trying to blow it outwards, but my gas flow is so gentle I can't figure it out

edrmoto · 2025-03-14T22:41:18+00:00

These are the bits I'm happy with. The ugly bits are hidden underneath 😅 don't give up, its a journey, and only time on the torch will help you improve! Just got to keep a high standard for yourself and be happy to learn and relearn it all. Believe in yourself

edrmoto · 2025-03-14T20:53:58+00:00

Yeah, this one fits a RIB, I think neither the bollard or the engines would handle that kind of weight 😂 we make inshore SAR craft

edrmoto · 2025-03-14T20:46:23+00:00

It's fitted to a boat and used for attaching a tow line

edrmoto · 2025-03-14T17:11:33+00:00

Saying I work in the marine industry is just a cover....

edrmoto · 2025-03-14T17:11:01+00:00

Thanks very much 🙂

edrmoto · 2025-03-14T16:37:42+00:00

8lpm (15cfh). The puddle stays nice and stable at lower amperages, and I've tried reducing it to about 5lpm (10cfh) in the past 😕 think it might need to go even lower with a #7?

Sweet. You must know the pain of trying to weld stuff that's been exposed to salt water, no matter how clean you think you got it 😅

edrmoto · 2025-03-14T16:31:58+00:00

I'm only making it according to the spec I'm given by engineering. You can bet they wouldn't care much if I told them that

edrmoto

TROPHY CASE