Blind Welding in Malawi

 

This article from Make is awesome on so many levels. First off, he's using an improvised welder that runs straight off the shop AC power. Second, he's doing it blind. No goggles? No problem! He touches the ground to the bike crank, then closes his eyes and strokes the pedal joint with the electrode.

At some point recently, my perspective shifted. If I had seen this article last year, I would have just seen some welder using makeshift equipment in a third world country. Now I see some amazing improvisation. Huh.

I want one.

Too bad they don't have any stores anywhere other than California, though a NY store is planned for first quarter 2009.