Ideas for a beginner welder?

[the_mork]

I got a Clarke 130amp welder for Christmas and I'm only now getting to the point where I have a little bit of time to use it (back in school). So I was wondering what anyone might have as far as suggestions for projects that I can do to work on my welding skills. I have a Jeep besides the Eclipse which is where I suspect the most welding work will be done but if you guys have any suggestions on parts I can fab up or modify then I'm all ears. I also have access to a couple of stick welders that are a fair amount bigger than my little Clarke but I've yet to even lay a bead with a stick and they are over a hundred miles away so smaller projects are better.

Thanks for any ideas.

 

[juanpac0]

Make the beastliest front grill guard and skid plate anyone with a Jeep has ever seen. Explosion and deer-proof.

 

[Project2G]

Nice MIG welder.
Mig Welding Tips

 

[the_mork]

Make the beastliest front grill guard and skid plate anyone with a Jeep has ever seen. Explosion and deer-proof.

Eventually it will be. For the time the Jeep is just a beater though since both front fenders and the grill are smashed thanks to my sister in law and my ex. I've just stopped worrying about it which makes it a lot of fun to drive. Having a steel bumper on the front helps too. Both of those together means a lot of savings on brake wear because I'm less inclined to be bothered when a Prius cuts me off. I'm always surprised at how fast those little cars can get out of the way when they realize that you aren't the type to slam on the brakes.

 

[housegsx]

Rotate you 16g compressor housing and build a new compressor outlet pipe. Not as cluttered looking as a J-pipe and a slightly shorter route.

It was the first thing I did when I recently picked up a welder.

I don't have a pic of the part, but this is what I did with the turbo.

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[the_mork]

Cool, that sounds exactly like the sort of project that I need because I hate the RRE J-pipe I have. I still run a sidemount so it would come out a little different than yours but it would certainly make my engine bay less cluttered and I can always make a new one if I change my setup.

 

[housegsx]

I just hacked up my old J-pipe and made some cuts etc until it fit. It turned out ok, but I'm eventually going to pick up a bottle of trimix and make one out of SS.

I think JMFab and AMS sell nice 1/2 inch outlet flanges if you want to start with a new one. They have mild, SS, and aluminum.

Yeah, I hated my J-pipe too. The way it bent to go down to the fmic I could barely get the bolts started in the housing.