Modifying Wrenches is common practice in certain industries like aviation maintenance. There are tight areas where a conventional wrench wont fit.
Hastelloy W is usually a great choice when you know its steel but cannot determine the exact metal type.
TIg welding box cutter blades can be very good practice because it makes you get used to focusing your eyes on a very small puddle, you have to get used to using a very small filler wire, and you also see how beneficial it is to use aluminum backing on thin metal.
After watching at least 20 videos on making Rocket Stoves, I decided to try my own design. I scrounged up enough scrap materials laying around the shop to make one that works really well. I used A 10 inch piece of 3" stainless tubing
and a short piece of 1-1/4" sq tubing about 5 inches long w...
A good way to test for penetration is the cut and etch test.
If the test is done while the weld is still fresh on you mind, there is a lot that can be learned and welding technique can be adjusted and improved.
I used a lincoln electric power mig 210mp for the first welds with settings of 19 vol...