Slick Devils Drive-In Show 2013

     There are less than 400 drive-in movie theaters operating in the US, were lucky enough to have three within a 50 mile radius here in northeast Ohio.  Along with that the Slick Devils CC are hosting their 1st annual drive- in car and bike show. CCMW is sponsoring the event by donating some bitching trophies for the judged categories. Ill post some pics in the coming weeks. But for now heres some information from a Slick Devil:

     "We're doing it again!!! Car Show at the Drive-In with movies after the show. Show cars pay $15 to get in and can stay for the movies for free...it's $5 per spectator. We'll have 4 bands playing all day, a kids model car building area as well as coloring book area. Chinese auctions, car related vendors are welcome, 6 trophies will be given out including Best Motorcycle...so feel free to bring the bikes. Pre-1980 cars/trucks only and Motorcycles with that old time feel...please no crotch rockets, tuners...you get the idea. Food/Drinks are available at the movies concession stand...so fill up on your favorites. See you at the show!!!"

Presented By: Slick Devils Car Club

Admission Price for Spectators: $5
Showcars : $15 (includes admission to the movies after the show)

Mayfield Drive-In
12100 Mayfield Rd.
Chardon, Ohio 44024

Shameless plug from last years winning cycle. ;)

Spit's XS650 Hard Tail - David Bird Style

     Amidst the yellowish tint of the shop is Clint's (Spit) XS650 frame. This is my first experience installing a David Bird rigid frame kit. I have to say it is very well thought out and super easy to fit up. The welds from David's kit look great and the segments were nice and square right from the crate. It doesn't get much easier to make a huge impact with your chopper project. Granted, the variables on forty year old Japanese frames leave much to be desired, there's plenty of forgiveness built into the kit. Here's some shots of the finished frame. What do ya think?

Follow us on Instagram! @calculatedcustom

Lowbrow Customs offers two types for the XS, Straight (like this one) and Looped. 

Getting lazy with the camera, time for bed.

Happy Holidays from CCMW

     We want to wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season! We're off this week, but we're getting ready to hit it hard in 2013. There are a lot of upgrades to the shop and to the site ready to launch. Thank you for your support thus far! See you soon. Cheers!

Follow us on Instagram! @calculatedcustom #mannmonday

Metallurgy for Welders

     Lets face it, if you wield a welding torch for a living like I do, you probably don't have a degree in Metallurgical Engineering. People like us rely on experience and destructive testing as a form higher education. I came across this article from The-Fabricator.com that takes a no-nonsense approach to basic metallurgy for welders. Check it out here, Metallurgy for Welders
     Also I've heard good reviews on the book Metallurgy for the non-Metallurgist from Amazon.com.
Its a bit pricey though, it goes for two bills.

Tube Coping Calculator

     Without the right tools, coping tubing can be confusing to layout by hand especially when offsets are involved. I came across this calculator in a dark corner of the internet. I printed out a few of these and they're pretty accurate. You're welcome. Cope tubing manually.

Stainless Steel Donuts

     I was turned on to these parts from a follower on Instagram, @bobmillerleile. They're an awesome solution for exhaust and bodywork. They come in stainless, steel and aluminum! Check it out, they come from Pro-Werks

E3 Results: Transformer Machine

     Transformer type machines on AC are the most demanding on tungsten electrodes. This is because the AC balance and frequency are fixed, 60Hz or sixty cycles per second. I wanted to put the E3 to the test by welding about 85 feet of 1/8" aluminum. The fuel tanks I welded were corner to corner to make fillet welds.
     I sharpened the tungsten to a point and then tapped it on the grinding wheel, putting about a .030" flat spot on it.

Radnor's E3 tungsten, 3/32"

     The first thing I noticed was the ease of arc starting, sometimes with the older machines the mechanical high frequency causes problems. This tungsten minimized this problem, fewer than 10 out of 300 times I had to double tap to start the arc. The most noticeable advantage was the size of the ball at the tip. It was slightly smaller than the diameter of the tungsten, which as you know allows for a tighter arc and a smaller weld. Compare that to the 2%Th which creates a ball almost 2X the diameter.

2%Th at the top. E3 on the bottom. After 85' of weld at approximately 150 amps.

      In conclusion: If you're still using a transformer machine, switch to E3 now! There are zero advantages to using traditional 2%Th, even the cost. Not to mention the there is no risk of radiation. Try em, you definitely will like them. Also, I didn't get paid to say that.
     Next I'm going to try them with an inverter machine on both DC and AC