Cled,

Welcome aboard.

I to came to Everlast thanks to Lincoln (had red and blue at the time but Lincoln/Prax drove me here and VERY happy). It was $200 less to fix my machine over a brand new one, in other words buy a new welder. Tons of calls (to Prax) and a couple trips and could not justify the cash layout. Long story, but sounds a bit like yours and years later, all green here and working for Everlast.

On your project. I don't like heights myself, but looks cool as heck and glad to see 22 years of welding under the belt, so we know it will not come apart on you. Just that blade bugs me and I am sure I can get my hand, arm, body in there somehow.

Not sure why one feels the need to join two "thin aluminum" beers cans as a first project, could be the contents of the cans that cause that.