Thanks again chap!! I have a fairly well equipped workshop including 2 lathes, milling machine, band saw, welder, bench vice, air compressor with various tools, measuring kit etc. A mate of mine has a very large pipe bender that will manage the roll bar, only thing I don't have access to is a guilotine and a sheet bender. I might well get a needle scaler, I didn't think of that. By starting the rod on the earth I assume you mean building some carbon on the end of the rod? I have found this makes it a hell of a lot easier to strike, new rods are that little bit harder.
That's an intersting technique of starting at the ends, when I was learning I found that every time I got to the end of a weld it would burn a bit of the edge away. I kind of got round it by being careful to not over run and to pull back a bit at the end of the run. Your technique sounds better to me so thanks for that.
God, I'm glad I found this place
