For welding newbies

It's one of those frequently asked questions on the forum. No matter what type of welding you plan to do, there's always an initial investment in money and time. Sure, some people might pick up new skills really fast. For others, it's trial and error, over and over again. Nothing comes easy to every person. Frustration is part of the learning process.

There's no magical formula to learning how to weld. Some prefer to take courses, others prefer to learn as they go. What type of learner are you? Maybe buy some books or borrow them from a library. Maybe an in-person course is what you need. Maybe someone can give you some hands-on lessons. How you learn is really up to you. How much the equipment will cost is again up to you and the type of welding you will be doing.

When Brad started welding, he took a diploma course at our local college and bought a cheap welder for under $200. To this day, he prefers stick welding and using minimal tools. That's his preference. Sure, you can spend alot of money on tools and equipment. But, if you're on a really limited budget, you can easily spend under $300 to get started.

We have a step-by-step welding tutorial for beginners on the Atomic Zombie and ChopZone web sites. Take a few minutes to read through it, then shop around for the equipment and tools you will need.

When in doubt, stop by our helpful community of bike builders for advice. We have a welding equipment tips and advice section with tons of information that will probably answer your questions.

Christmas parade down under

Now, these people in Townsville, Australia, know how to have a good time. Atomic Zombie bike building guru, Savarin, his wife and other bike freaks Bikes, lights, tinsel and loads of fun on recumbents, trikes and choppers. Too bad we have over a foot of snow in our region. A Christmas parade on bikes would be so much fun. Cheers to all of you who dare to be different.

Season's Greetings from Canada and Scotland

Greetings and salutations from the Great White North where a winter storm is bearing down, just in time for Christmas celebrations, of course. Thanks to all Atomic Zombies for making 2009 a fun, successful year. Many new things will be coming up throughout 2010.

An email from Jorge in Scotland:

"Hello from Scotland. I hope you and Brad have a wonderful Christmas. I really enjoy the forum and the camaraderie there. It's a nice place to hang out with friends from all kinds of backgrounds and talents. I am very impressed to see so many people helping each other. To all my bike building friends out there, the best of the season and always.

Your friend, Jorge

Thanks, Jorge, and our very best to you and your family.
Cheers.

CBC News - World - Plane carrying 154 overshoots runway in Jamaica

This must have been a harrowing experience. I can't relate to the actual accident having never been in a plane crash, but I know how terrifying it is when you're in a speeding tube that makes such a hard landing on the runway that your teeth knock together, stuff flies out of the overhead bins, and the pilot has to literally slam on the brakes before running out of pavement.

Those poor people. Thankfully, no one was killed, a testament to the on board and ground crew.

CBC News - World - Plane carrying 154 overshoots runway in Jamaica