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Old 01-02-2025, 12:07 AM
nathan_linder nathan_linder is offline
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Location: Indiana, United States
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Default Trying to Progress my skills

My name is Nathan,

I'm currently a mechanical engineering student but have a passion for fabrication. No one in my direct family has anything to do with trades, so up to this point, I'm completely self-taught and looking for some advice from more experienced fabricators and metal shapers. Obviously, I think this might be a good place to seek that knowledge and apply it to my own metal shapping projects.

Im also hoping to figure out how to build a proper wheel, as the harbor freight one I've been using is just not cutting it for what I want to achieve.

Thanks for reading.
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Old 01-02-2025, 06:52 AM
Chris_Hamilton Chris_Hamilton is offline
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Welcome to the forum Nathan.
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Old 01-02-2025, 08:49 AM
Marc Bourget Marc Bourget is offline
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Nathan,


Nothing but support for your interest, but one characteristic of a True Craftsman is the ability analyze, adjust and reach success.


Consider fighting the battle with what you have, not speculate on what would be nice, can be just as, if not more valuable, than the best of equipment.


This is not to diminish the desire to get the best of equipment, not al all.


But there are other benefits.



I offer you Jaroslav and Kent White (RIP) as examples. There are more, for varied reasons, but I reference them in response to your point.



I learned to value Jaro from his significant body of posts on this forum.


My Kent experience was personal. I considered him as a Metal Shaping "Renaissance Man," due to his research into shaping practices "hidden in history."


Kent took on a project for a stair builder as a challenge. It pushed the limits of his experience (but not his talents) and, over a series of visits I learned a ton watching his approaches in dealing with new issues, not necessarily obvious at the beginning of the project. Many of these issues weren't technical, but he was involved in a car accident, a massive impact, that seriously affected his physical capabilities and led to the adaptation(s) I raise for your consideration.


As for fabricating your E-wheel, the "Rolls Royce" level employs a cast frame, but, with the assistance of a mechanical engineer, he determined that a wheel frame made from a I-Beam (W-156??) was the material equivalent.


Hope you continue to participate as we will all benefit from watching your progress.


mjb
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Last edited by Marc Bourget; 01-02-2025 at 10:59 PM.
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Old 01-02-2025, 09:08 PM
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Kerry Pinkerton Kerry Pinkerton is offline
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I strongly suggest you read the ewheel building tutorial and build one of those.
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