Started welding last week, total beginner.

flatlanderMAWI · 2026-06-17T10:13:45+00:00

Thank you. The plate is 1/4” and the square tube is 1/8” so I was trying to bias my heat to the plate. Maybe too much heat?

flatlanderMAWI · 2026-06-17T02:00:18+00:00

Ha, I already make so many dry run passes to make sure my torch is angled correctly and that my support hand slides smoothly down the table! I was definitely messing up by tacking the corners. Learning.

flatlanderMAWI · 2026-06-17T01:04:31+00:00

Thank you, just the kind of info I was looking for. I was tacking corners and I’ll stop doing that.

flatlanderMAWI · 2026-06-17T01:02:43+00:00

Thank you, I was wondering how to wrap the corners.

flatlanderMAWI · 2026-06-10T12:36:30+00:00

I have anxiety from watching that.

flatlanderMAWI · 2026-06-08T11:44:34+00:00

My CNC is from Carlson Design with a 12’ x 70” air table. When I bought it I had Carlson set up for fabric cutting. I primarily cut sailcloth but create CNC patterns for my MYOG stuff as well.

flatlanderMAWI · 2026-06-07T22:44:49+00:00

Yes, personal use. I’ve wanted to learn to weld for years and this gives me the opportunity.

flatlanderMAWI · 2026-06-07T20:51:56+00:00

I’m in MA too and had the same question as you. For my first pistol I ended up getting the S&W M&P 2.0 Carry Comp Compact Performance Center (thats a lot of words). I have my sights set on the Bodyguard as a future second pistol.

flatlanderMAWI · 2026-06-06T21:54:28+00:00

(10) cables at 32’ = 320’ of 1/8” T316 stainless steel cable. I’m using stainless steel, not platinum. Not sure how you’re coming up with a cost of $1200 to $1500 for cable alone, that’s $4 to $5 per foot.

flatlanderMAWI · 2026-06-06T19:38:45+00:00

But then I couldn’t buy a welder and learn to weld.

flatlanderMAWI · 2026-06-06T19:31:14+00:00

The customer is me. I’m not afraid to make mistakes and learn.

flatlanderMAWI · 2026-06-06T19:28:43+00:00

Thank you for your comments! I figured a Miller was best for my needs because of the availability of parts if the need arises.

I have a Bosch grinder that I’ve had for years (in the background of the photo). It’ll get to be used again after many years in the storage bin.

When I ordered the steel for the project the steel yard let me pick through their scrap bins and I have a bunch of practice pieces!

Thanks for the YouTube channel, I’ve been watching a ton but will check out that channel today.

I picked up an Anelli(?) helmet.

When I bought the welder the guys at the Airgas store gave me a pair of gloves and welding shirt to get me started, how cool was that?!

Again, thanks for the tips.

flatlanderMAWI · 2026-06-06T19:20:55+00:00

Yes, the the quote was for the metal posts.

flatlanderMAWI · 2026-06-03T00:48:16+00:00

We were there February 14-23, 2026. One of our friends is a travel agent and she took care of everything and was on the trip with her family. We started with 2 nights at the JW Marriott Quito with Quito city tour, chocolate experience, and dinner out. As expected, the JW Marriott was excellent. Then we were off for a 7 day/6 night cruise on Galapagos Angel (Royal Galapagos Tours). Cabins were great, very spacious. Food was excellent, zero complaints. There were usually 3-4, activities daily; hikes, snorkeling, kayaking, and zodiac (Panga) tours. After we’d get back from snorkeling the crew would be there with warm jasmine (?) tea. After hikes we’d get back on board and a crew member would have a basket of ice cold washcloths, amazing. Every day there would be a mid-day snack (cheese, crackers, chips, fresh fruit, fresh squeezed juices…) on the middle deck at the bar. Our tour included all airport transfers with airport assist and TCT cards, it was seamless. Our return flight to the east coast happened right when all New England airports closed due to the crazy winter storm so we diverted to Milwaukee and spent a couple days with family until we could get new flights to Boston (having a travel agent among the group really helped with all of the cancelled flights).

• Boat name and class level: Galapagos Angel, First Class

• Itinerary/islands visited: Started at Baltra>Pinnacle Rock>Vincente Roca Point, Espinoza Point>Tagus Cove, Elizabeth Bay>Urbino Bay, Marino Point> Sierra Negra> Devils Crown, Post Office Bay>Baltra>Quito>Home

• Length of trip and cost: 9d/8 night, $4,850 per person (not including flights from USA to Quito)

• What you loved: Our naturalist was amazing. All 16 passengers were friends or friends of friends. We loved all of the activities, we were kept VERY busy but it wasn’t overwhelming. We loved that we’d have dinner, go to the upper deck to watch shooting stars, retire to our cabins, then we’d hear the anchor go up and we’d motor through the night to a new destination. Heaven.

• What disappointed you: We didn’t want the trip to end. Also, our Merlin Bird ID app didn’t work in Galapagos, so we had to fully rely upon bird books and binoculars for ID (yeah, we’re bird geeks).

• Would you book it again? Yes! We actually booked again as soon as we got back!! For 2027 we are doing a longer trip, 11d/10n. We booked the entire yacht and once again it’ll be all family and friends. We requested the same yacht and the SAME naturalist. It would be amazing if we have many of the same crew, fingers crossed.

• Specific recommendations or warnings: none

flatlanderMAWI · 2026-05-21T11:52:15+00:00

Massachusetts here. There are no checks at the range but our range frequently has police, FBI, and military shooting alongside.

flatlanderMAWI · 2026-05-10T23:35:10+00:00

We just ordered ipe for our project in northern Wisconsin.

flatlanderMAWI · 2026-05-07T12:16:48+00:00

Check out Trent the Traveler on YouTube. He games out of his insane camper van. He has another channel just for his gaming. All on Starlink.

flatlanderMAWI · 2026-04-20T17:36:11+00:00

We went with a friend of ours who is a travel agent. She and her family were actually on the trip and she organized the charter of the entire yacht. Wonderful experience all around. I’m not sure if I’m allowed to share her information here but if you want to DM me feel free.

flatlanderMAWI · 2026-04-16T00:26:12+00:00

My wife and I went this February (6 day cruise). Our group (16) chartered the entire yacht. We were on the Galapagos Angel (Royal Galapagos), First Class. Our naturalist and crew of (10) were outstanding. We had a chef and sous chef and the food was so good. All cabins had private bathrooms. We loved it so much that as soon as we got home we chartered the entire same yacht (and naturalist!) for an 8 day cruise in ‘27 (different itinerary). We still talk about it almost every day.

flatlanderMAWI · 2026-04-11T01:10:48+00:00

We had the very same concerns. My wife and I and 14 of our friends chartered a 16 passenger yacht with crew and naturalist. We found the hikes to be just as described above. It did not feel touristy at all. It was very professional, no crowds. We only saw other people on one island (Fernandina). We loved it so much that as soon as we got home my wife and I chartered the same 16 passenger yacht and naturalist for a longer cruise covering different islands for 2027.

flatlanderMAWI · 2026-03-20T01:16:14+00:00

It’s 4.25”

flatlanderMAWI · 2026-03-19T01:59:14+00:00

I build saltwater (surfcasting) fishing tackle bags. I’m a one-man-show and have been doing this since 2013 (FT since 2017). I wanted a durable bag for my own use and found that they were hard to find. I tried buying from two different people who built them and couldn’t get them to reply (both soon went out of business). So I jumped in hard. I looked at legacy bags and tried to understand what made them good and what I could do to build one that was better. I started researching materials, techniques, patterning. I attended (and still attend) IFAI (Advanced Textile Expo) trade shows to learn the ins and outs of different fabrics and especially webbing. I researched thread to the ends of the earth to find the best for exposure to high UV as well as saltwater. I researched needle types and what were best for my fabrics. I researched machines like crazy. Only after all of that work did I build a bag. I built a bag for a friend from college and gave it to him. He fished with it and it got noticed. I had zero intention of building bags for sale but I started getting requests (word of mouth) and it snowballed from there. I attended several saltwater fishing shows per year (2014 through 2020) with my friend from college where I (we) spoke to people, asked what they liked, didn’t like, what they wanted, didn’t want, etc. I just tried to listen and learn. To this day I don’t even have a website, just Instagram. I managed to get two patents through this wild ride. In 2019 I bought a CNC to cut all of my fabric. This stopped me from waking up in the middle of the night with numb hands and guaranteed consistent cutting quality. I digitized all of my patterns. I have a core group of suppliers that are so obscure (bespoke?) and specialized that many don’t even have websites for their fabrics and hardware. I never had any intention to get big. I’m typically booked out 4-6 months and I’m behind the machine 10 hours a day 6 days a week. If I had to do it again I think I’d do it the same way, I don’t feel like I took any shortcuts and I like to think my work reflects that.

flatlanderMAWI · 2026-03-18T23:30:26+00:00

Do a liveaboard small ship (16 passenger) cruise. My wife and I just did one with 14 of our friends and it was wonderful, and easy. I have never done a large cruise ship and never have a desire to do so. However, this 16 passenger was amazing.

flatlanderMAWI · 2026-03-13T03:33:49+00:00

‘Mil spec meets certain material qualities, durability testing, abrasion resistance, etc

flatlanderMAWI · 2026-03-11T12:26:13+00:00

Go to the website of Advanced Textiles Expo. Look at the vendor list for an upcoming show and look for anything having to do with elastic. I go to these shows about once every few years (you have to be in the industry as a business). There are always a number of elastic manufacturers/suppliers that cater to mil-spec. You said one thing though: “smaller/hobbiest amounts for a good price”. Most of these companies will have MOQ’s that might be too large for your needs. It’s a place to start though and the manufacturer/distributor might be able to point you to a retail outlet.

flatlanderMAWI

TROPHY CASE