Loger: No flack intended just general information. We all have to learn somewhere. I still remember my 1st welding experience , during my Diesel Apprenticship in the early 60.s . It was Gas torch fusion welding back then with appropriate filler rod. My bib tops had more filler rod tip burn holes then a sprinkler hose . Baymee should remember this trial and tribulation during his learning stages . My second Welding upgrading was during my College upgrading during my Stationary Engineering 3rd Class Degree. We used 550 volt 3- phase Lincoln Industrial Welder in the early 70,s and it was required to weld 8 inch x 8 inch test coupons from 1/4 inch hot rolled steel plate in position. 2 complete 8 pass welds in all 4-positions (flat / horizontal / vertical / overhead) I really had a problem initially in horizontal position with undercutting the weld from to hot a heat setting . Most beginners have trouble with adequate penetration in overhead from to cold of a setting. Once completed we cut the coupon into 4 separate strips (vertical band saw) and bent them into a U within a hydraulic bender . If any of the welds cracked we flunked our CWB Exam. My second testing was again Stick welding during my Pressure Vessel Certification U-69 we were required to fabricate a 4 inch x 4 inch x 1/2 inch metal box from 1/8 plate complete with a 1/4 inch weldolet coupling. Once the fabrication was done the box was pressurized 600 psi until it ballooned and then was submerged in water to check for any weld failures (bubbles) identified and again you failed this 1st phase of testing . Before you even got into the Boiler Pipe Weld testing . So yeah have burnt a few sticks of Rod in my Day . Really liked 5/32 Jet Rod , lazy Welders Rod only for flat position welding . Hated Low Hydrogen nasty flux fumes very hazardous. Anyhow been a few yrs since I stick welded , most of my projects are with a Miller Mig these days. Like riding a bicycle you never forget but it will take some practice to get quality welds after a few yrs absence. I remember some of the best welders I worked with during my Industrial Days were the laziest , they could weld on their head once they found a comfortable position. Please take our advice in the fashion (constructive) it is intended all the best Bro :) This post was edited by ewalk on Mon, Oct 14, 13 at 20:06

I don't think of it as quite complete yet I have not addressed the bugs we encounter. So anyone else that wants to see something not present in it please let me know. The final version I will post as FAQ in the sugject heading.

Up, up and not away!

This thread is remarkable. Since I am constantly surrounded by children, the only media that I see or hear is programming aimed at children. So Dr. Laura is an unknown to me. However, I do see the truth in the words in her book. From where I stand, not here on the forum but in my family and among my friends, women/wives tend to drive the relationship. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, that's usually a good thing and that's often why men get married in the first place, the trade-offs vis a vis personal freedom versus companionship and a secure life are well worth it. I think that Dr. Laura's point is that increasingly, women in unstable relationships sometimes drive so hard that they ignore the needs of their husband, assuming that he'll enjoy the ride just because he's in the car with her, regardless of where that car is heading. I think you could compare it to a parent/child. THIS IS NOT TO SAY THAT THE WOMAN IS THE PARENT AND THE HUSBAND IS THE CHILD. But that for the first few years, a parent is simply delighted to do whatever with or for their child. But after 10 or 15 years, it becomes more draining then life-giving.... the umpteenth ballet recital or the x-th soccer tournament just isn't as exciting as the first ones were. In the case of the couple, the love that bound them in the beginning fades and those feelings are replaced by resentment and anger. But where I don't agree with Dr. Laura is that she places a great deal of responsibility on the woman to be aware of the man's disposition and feelings. I think that's rather unfair. However, I haven't finished the book, so I don't know how she'll wrap it up. Regardless, what I have read struck a chord with me. Yes, my husband is fairly simple. His emotions run deep, but he doesn't complicate things by acting on them in harmful ways. So by simple I guess I mean that I don't have to try to figure out what he might be telling me and I never, ever have to worry about manipulation, hidden messages, games. He's honest at every level. Anyway, I don't know where I am going with this, I've forgotten because my four year old has interrupted so many times and I need to drive him to school. Jane, I must admit that I do seek your good opinion of me and now I find myself apologizing again on this thread for having offended you as well. Thank you for your gracious remarks in the post just above this one. I'll check in later, I'm running late. My son is actually in the parked van in the drive-way honking the horn!