I've often wondered what that flap was for on Kevin Caron's helmet. Some of the guests in Jody's videos have also had a flap on theirs. Now I know; thanks.

I'll check with the local gas agent to see what's involved with various size tanks. He stocks only acetylene and O2 as that's what the island thinks of when welding is mentioned. If it's not oxy/acetylene welding, its a buzz box and no shielding gas. The transportation charges drive up the cost to move the tanks back and forth, I'm sure, as there is no real gas facility on the island, just an agent.

I cringed when I read How much MIG wire do you use regularly? Why didn't I think of it that way? It just didn't occur to me.

I guess I'll hold off on a cooler for now, as the bulk of what I've done is 1/8" mild steel (tiny MIG). Steel is the only metal I can get locally. I'll have to import aluminum and stainless. I'll stick with the stock torch as well till I develop my own opinion of it. I just hate dealing with customs more often than necessary.

Thanks for the suggestions on rod & tungsten. I would never have thought of .040 . The glove and TIG finger size is still an issue for me as I'm 6'0" @ 160lbs, just with long ape arms and large thin hands. Half the gloves I've ever gotten had the fingers too short; damned annoying and uncomfortable. XL gloves might as well be boxing gloves for me as they assume fat hands.

Hadn't thought of making a chair. Good idea. I'll get a contoured metal tractor seat and fab the rest.