I have always loved spending time with my dad, and sometimes that includes learning things most girls don’t learn how to do. When I was a kid he did a lot of woodworking projects. He made shelves, bunk beds, stools, mantles, and all kinds of other projects. To this day, one of my favorite smells is sawdust because it reminds me of when I used to help my dad with wood projects in his shop.
One year I decided I wanted to learn how to weld. Although it’s still not my favorite project, I am one of few females who knows how to do it. One thing I dislike about welding is how ugly it can be when it’s finished. It takes a very skilled welder to make a polished finishing piece. There is always discoloration to the metal that needs weld cleaner. When a welding project gets finished, it often looks messy, and it takes almost double the project time to clean it up. That’s why a company called Capital Weld Cleaners decided to create a machine just for the clean-up. It’s an electronic weld cleaner that, when used, demonstrates how to polish stainless welding projects.
That’s my favorite part of the welding process. In all honesty, welding is kind of scary to me, so I usually let my dad do that part, then I come in and use the electronic weld cleaner and clean up the discolored part. The joints where two pieces of steel come together are usually colored a weird yellow-orange-ish color (kind of like rust) but with the stainless steel weld cleaner, the joints are cleaned up and the end result is a bright and clean weld.
I don’t do a ton of welding, but it’s cool that products like this are available for weld passivation and a cleaner weld. Like many men out there, my dad is a huge supporter of local businesses, especially when it comes to mechanics and hardware stores. Every man has a mechanic he knows personally, and each chooses to shop only at a certain hardware store. For men who do a lot of welding, they probably have a specific shop they purchase steel and tools at as well. This is the place for my dad.
I’m much more into my dad’s woodworking hobby than the welding one. It feels safer to me, even though we constantly use very dangerous saws, nail guns, and super-adhesive glues. Working with wood just fits me better. I like the sanding, finishing, and shiny ending product. When I moved into a new house, my dad made a beautiful custom mantle to go above my fireplace, and everyone comments on it. I’m lucky because I’ve never had to pay for shelves, dressers, or any other wood products. I always get custom ones from my father.
Perhaps a project made of wood is more personal than one made from stainless steel…maybe that’s why I like the wood projects more. Welding is an interesting process though, and tons of things are made from it, including the car I drive, so I guess I should be thankful for it! Back to the welding thoughts…right now my dad goes into a shop to sue the electronic weld cleaner that they have onsite, but I’m thinking next Christmas or Father’s Day my siblings and I might get together and buy him his very own weld cleaner. I bet he’d love it.
http://www.capitalweldcleaners.com/products.php
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