Weldcraft just added the LS17 to its air-cooled Legacy Series of TIG torches. With its styled ergonomics, it looks a bit more like a toothbrush than a torch — but then again, toothbrushes are comfortable and easy to hold, so there may be something to that.

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This month Lincoln released their newest big-dog welder, the Ranger 250 GXT. The 600-lb. monster sports more power output and a huge AC generator, for some truly awesome portable power.

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Learning how to weld can be a bit intimidating for some, but the best way to learn is to study with folks who know how to teach it. The Lincoln Electric Welding School in Cleveland has been doing just that since 1917 — if you want to sign up, they’ve just announced the 2008 schedule.

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We mentioned a while back that the Hobart Handler 210 was going to be available soon, and now it is. One the newest models in the Hobart line, it looks like a sweet unit.

The 210 plugs into a standard 230V outlet and delivers up to 210A of power, which will weld 3/8″ mild steel and up to 1/4″ thick aluminum. It sports a 30 percent duty cycle — which means for every 10 minute period, the welder can weld for three minutes of it without stopping to cool down. This may seem like a limitation at first, but it’s actually not bad if you’re on location. Plus, the 210 comes loaded with flux-core, so no bottles are needed straight out of the box.

At around $850, it’s more expensive than some of the other models in the line — but the extra MIG capabilities do set it apart.

Handler 210 [Hobart]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

For all those steer-raising, cow-punching folk that learned to weld in the FFA, Hobart has got your welding helmet — auto-darkening, metal flake blue, with FFA spirit literally scrawled all over it.

Hobart loads this special edition with all the sweet features of their regular auto-darkening helmet: solar-powered, auto-darkening, fixed-shade, #10 lens; two independent arc sensors; and a lithium battery. The down side that goes with the FFA emblem on the chin is the mammoth $120 price tag, which’ll put off almost anyone actually in the FFA.

FFA Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet [Hobart]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

Hobart just launched their new, redesigned website. Their press release says, “The re-design improves navigation, offers enhanced product information and enables viewing in a wide-screen format with resolutions of 1024 X 768, presenting more information with less scrolling.” Which means Hobart has managed to arrive in the 21st century and realized people would like to know more about their products than just the name, rank, and serial number the old site listed.

We’re glad to see the improvement. They make some great products, and their old web presence didn’t reflect the thought and quality they put into their welding units and gear.

Hobart Welders [Official Website]

Multi-material projects always spark our interest. Reader gregjsmith and his friend Cy decided to build a floating shelf for their new TV. After noting that a 68” span was too much for wood alone, these guys decided that rather than give up on the design, they’d add some steel. Rock!

The final product turned out great — it supports the massive screen, no problem. We love the shelf, but more than that we love to see some down and dirty welding and fabrication. Plus, note the gratuitous American Dad on the ’set. Nice!

Toolmonger’s Photo Pool [Flickr]

If you’re looking to order safety equipment or metal fabrication supplies, Airgas.com should be one of your first stops. I came across Airgas when I was searching for a hard-to-find pair of sweet new safety goggles and somehow ended up making a rather large order. Their prices are decent, but most importantly the selection is vast and shipping is prompt.

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If you’ve ever been lacing up your boots on the way out the door (in a hurry) only to have them snap, you’ll love Bull Dog’s boot laces. They’re made of Kevlar – that’s right, the same DuPont wonder fabric they use in bullet-proof vests — for extra durability and longevity.

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We all know how standard locking pliers work: squeeze the handles, turn the knob to adjust the opening of the jaws, and clamp down on the handles to lock. But sometimes you have to open and close the jaws a couple of times to get it right, which can be tiresome. The LockJaw automatically adjusts to fit as you squeeze it shut.

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This ground block makes it easy to establish a solid ground for arc welding when you can’t find a good place to clamp the lead — as long as you’re welding ferrous metal.  Just smack the magnet onto your work piece, then attach your grounding clamp to the stud on top.  The stud is spring loaded so that when you attach the magnet it presses against the metal and ensures a solid ground.

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The newest model in Hobart’s ever-bigger Handler line, the 210 plugs into a standard 230V outlet and delivers up to 210A of power — enough to successfully weld 3/8″ mild steel and up to 1/4″ thick aluminum.  Hobart claims that with the right wire, it offers enough control to join 24-gauge material without burning through.

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After reading our post about Rhode Island’s instructional Steel Yard, TM reader KidEntropy took a trip — and took a few pictures to share as well.  They’re in the photo pool, and include some pretty cool stuff, like the photo above.  KidE says these aren’t even half of the bikes they have around the shop.

Maybe if he’s got a minute he’ll stop by and let us know more about the visit in comments!

Toolmonger’s Photo Pool [Flickr]

Rhode Island is the birthplace of the American industrial revolution, and along the Woonasquatucket River in the heart of Providence’s industrial valley you’ll find The Steel Yard. The Steel Yard carries on a tradition in the industrial arts: a centre for artists, businesses, educators and students.

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If you’ve ever wondered whether metal really does “spray” when you’re using a high-speed feed and voltage — or whether it really “globs” when using medium feed/voltage settings, this video should clear it all up for you.  Each spray type has its place in the welding world, but watching this slow-motion video is the first chance I’ve had to actually see them all in practice.

(Thanks, James, for the tip!)

In case you’re a doubter, here’s another reason you should own a MIG welder: TM reader and photo pool member James posted this photo of this bumper basket he put together for his TJ.  It’s made of 2″ square tubing, plus a few other steel types and (of course) some expanded metal.  Note the spare tire mount.

Add a little paint to James’ creation, and everyone at the next Jeep meet’ll be asking: “Where’d you get that?” followed by, “Can I buy one?”  Answer: Buy a welder instead!  Awesome.

Toolmonger’s Photo Pool [Flickr]

PS: God, I love expanded metal.  Sure, everything you make with it looks like a deer stand.  But I love it anyway.

Shopping for a new welding helmet?  This flag-draped Miller Elite series welding mask features separate auto-on/auto-off and grind modes, four independent arc sensors, and a magnifying lens holder.  It’s available in numerous screen-print designs – like this lovely stars and stripes motif — as well as plain ‘ole black.  Best of all, it’s available at Toolsforless right now for $219.88.

Miller Elite-Series Stars & Stripes [Miller]
Miller Starts & Stripes Welding Helmet [Toolsforless]
Street Pricing [Google Product]