I was tig welding recently and the welding rod flicked me in the neck. I had a thin long burn about 2 inches on my neck. Hurt like a sob and looked like I was in a nasty bar brawl or something.

 

I should probably clarify that I'm not completely green to the use of power tools. I worked in a machine shop in college for 2 of the years I was there so I know how to use most things. I guess I'm just looking for where to get good tools and somewhere I can get some experience under my belt welding, cutting, grinding, etc. Safety is probably one of the few tools I'm proficient in!

 

Ouch. We had a guy in school that had a piece of hot slag fall down the back of his boot. He had to run over to the quench tank and dunk his leg in. I found out pretty quickly you just try to ignore the pain and get used to the burns and scars. Good times!!!

 

Take a welding class or two at your local trade school/community college.

 

That's starting to sound like a good starting point for me. It seems to be the general consensus from here and other sources. Then I guess I can just pick up some scrap metal and start cutting it, welding it, then grinding it so I can get in some good practice! I have some ideas rattling around in this brain and I'd rather not have to pay someone to do them for me!

What I'm thinking for tool set (so far):
Contents of the HD Premium Tool Kit (I will just go to Ace Hardware for whatever I don't already have)
Torque wrench (3/8" drive)
Angle Grinder (cutting/grinding bigger stuff)
Dremel (cutting/grinding smaller stuff)
TIG Welder

I have an electric drill and assorted hand tools already. Any other common tools that you use to work on your bike that I'm missing? Or power tools that you've used for creating stuff?