Homebuilt Arc Welder

   This time I am going to try the art of arc welding using the batteries available. Most dc welding work at around 40 volts, and a general purpose electrode of 1/8” will need about 120 amps for good penetration of weld. Thirty six(36) volts is available from three automotive batteries connected in series. This simple diagram shows how to hook it up:

   to metal plate <--- +battery- +battery- +battery- ---> to welding rod

An optional arc stabilizer inductor in series with the rod, made from scavenged microwave oven. Chop out the secondary and wind 20 turns of 10-guage wire. Leave the primary intact, it doesn't affect the function here. An inductor gives the current a momentum to blast through bits of flux and rust that get in the way. This makes the arc sputters a lot less, welding is easier, and the welds are better.

Photos of the project:

 First I built a safe box to hold the batteries. Then, I created a set of series-parallel batteries wired for 36 volts. Noticed I used 12 gauge wires to wired the batteries and soldered them to the posts. These are just the available parts I had at that time.

 These are cheap, sla batteries I salvaged from old uninterriptible power supplies from work. You can also find these in electric scooters,  7 amp hour, 12 volts.

Due to small amperage capacity, I intended to use this 1/16 inch electrode, one of the smallest electrodes available on the market..

My complete kit with set of gloves, electrode holder made from pvc pipe, an old goggle purchased from the nearby thrift shop, alligator clips. ready for a test.

Cement Mixer 3/3

   So far I've been enjoying this new addition to my equipment. I thought about adding more feature to it and so I did. I had this geared motor from which I bought for a buck from the previous garage sale. It's labeled 12 volt geared motor, though no amps specified, 128 rpm. This was probably pulled out from a car, it could be a wiper but I have no idea. This should be enough to rotate the drum.

I went one step ahead by making it a battery operated mixer. Just hooked it up to your car's cigarette lighter.

   In conclusion, there is so much to do with the recycled materials lying around and ready to be put to used. I found it enjoyable and worth building things from scratch. Everyday that I see things around, I knew I have something to put it to used. It's just a matter of time or if I can pass it around. Going over with the expense of my project. I would say I spent a lot, too.
Expenses rundown:
Metal drum - free
Bike crank set - free
Steel bracket - free from bed frame
Set of rubber wheels - free from discarded travel suitcase
Nuts and Bolts - a couple of bucks
Geared motor- a buck
Labor - priceless

Cement Mixer 2/3

   Below after some modification, comes the stable manual crank cement mixer. Made from recycled metal drum, bed frames, and set of wheels from discarded suitcase.

Cement Mixer 1/3

   I have been slowly finishing up my weekend project. A 14 feet x 14 feet front patio project and because of my tight budget and busy schedule on weekends, I decided to do it one phase at a time. I mean do when whenever I have the time. This month, I will be leveling up the ground, a month after will be laying out hollow blocks around it, and so forth. I am doing it myself and if lucky enough, my daughter will lend her hand out. I have purchased all the materials needed awhile back and the only things needed are the equipment.  Lately I thought about buying a cement mixer. I thought about buying a used one from craigslist or just rent one from so called Home Depot.
   Well wait, they said necessity is the mother of innovation.  I have this small metal drum that has been lying around in my backyard and at one time was trying to get rid of it. There goes my idea. Why not build one from scratch from these common materials rusting in my backyard. I have this metal drum, a broken bike, some bed metal frames that has been collecting rust, and there you go...

Building cement mixer from a discarded metal drum using a kid's bike

   After completing this 6 hour project I decided for a trial. Not quite successful as expected. Unstable, it wobbles by just looking at it. More changes next week, it's getting dark now.