Ian, your generosity knows no bounds! I'm deeply touched, but I'm going to have to pass on this incredible opportunity as I have several sewer pipes already, including one that pre-dates yours. The tie rod was almost a deal maker, but as it happens, I just found an old piece of 3/4" rebar in a ditch that should serve the same purpose. In the end, I feel there must be others out there far more deserving of such a rare and valuable commodity than I, but I remain, sir, your humble servant.
Hey, speaking of welding, Gord was getting a little bored yesterday while I figuring out how to rebuild my buzzsaw, so I put him to practice welding with the stick machine. 6011 and a hunka 6" angle just following soap stone lines. I don't know the exact amps he was set at but it was enough that it was dead easy for me to start and hold an arc, a little hot really. Took him about 3,978 tries but he is finally starting to get the hang of it. Then I had to try to get him to slow down and weave. After 45 minutes or so he was doing pretty good. They start the kids off on MIG with brand new, sparkling clean metal at the trade school, which I think is a mistake. Give them 6010/11 and some good old rusty plate or bar stock and let them learn!