New prospect from Phoenix, AZ
 

Hello moderators and members,

My name is Tony Herrera, I live in Phoenix, Arizona. I am originally from San Francisco. I have been a welder for the past 40 years on and off. I left the trade and for about 15 years to try my hand at being a computer consultant, started a family computer repair/consulting business and became a network installer. I burned out with it and returned to the welding. During those years I did it as a hobby. I moved to Arizona from San Francisco and settled in.

The recession put me on the unemployment line so I dug out my tools, set up a field rig and with the help of Craigslist I am able to eek out a living with it.

I am interested in joining the Metal Shaping forum in order to advance my skill sets. I have worked on the heavier end of the metal trades, steel mills, oil refinery, power plants as a maintenance welder and fabricator. I have always wanted to learn two aspects of the metal trades, 1. Blacksmithing and 2. metal forming.

As a free lance welder I get called on to do many things from repairing and modifying boat hulls and pontoons, engine blocks, transmission cases, manifolds, cast iron antique parts all the way to building fences and gates.

My weak side is in the metal shaping side of things as not having those skills my vision of how to perform a repair or making a part is very limited. I tend to think of cuts and welds, boxy things with sharp edges.

So to try and wrap it up, I enjoy all aspects of metal working trade on the welding side of things. I have most of the basic tools needed and I would like to learn more. I don't have a shear or a brake so any metal forming that I have done is with a steel table, hammer, torch heat and jigs (and anvil too).

Thanks for the consideration,

Tony

Glad to meet you
 

I would be glad to lend a hand with your projects. I don't have experience welding stainless tubing. Almost all my stainless work was with the fabrication of custom restaurant and food processing equipment, all stainless. I have never welded inconel or titanium, sorry.

However, welding is welding, metal is metal. I think it would be a matter of knowing the procedure or technique, the rest will fall into place.

The idea of forming a group is a great. Count me in.

Thanks,

Tony

Welcome Tony,
I'm in phoenix too (Awatukee) and would be interested in a group meetup. I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on the parts to build a power hammer this month and I'll get it built during the welding class Im starting this August. Your welcome to come on over and use it.

Power Hammer
 

Hi Rick,

glad to meet you. I would like to see how it is built and used. I get the image of a 50 or 100 pound block of hardened iron slamming down on a part being forged and sparks flying.

Let me know when you are underway. Are you going to be building it in class or at home with your equipment?

Take care,

Tony

Hey guys, close to central PHX here. NW corner of I 17 and I 10

I too would be interested in a shaping group. There are quite a few guys around town that keep to themselves, but if the opportunity came up would probably join in also.

Hi Tony and welcome!:)

I'd like to come to a meet if it works out,when I'm in the Phoenix area. I'm just not sure when I'm going to be there next.

Hi Tony, welcome to allmetalshaping. If you want to become skilled at this stuff you need to pracice shaping small parts by hand so you get a feel for haow the metal moves. YOu will then learn which tools and machines you need. (and which you don't)

David

Covell is having a 2 day workshop in November at Hot Rods by Dean. It's not hands on but should still be very informative to watch a master shaper in action. I'm definitely signing up.