TIM WATSON'S WELDING GEAR - The General traded in his SIP 150 amp welder, for the R-Tech 450 amp unit and another smaller unit with a spool on gun, or TIG, an ideal multi-purpose rig for vehicle and other specialist repairs and fabrications works.

<< SCENE 9

INT. GARDEN WORKSHOP - DAY

Sunlight streams into Jimmy's new workshop. JIMMY (12, energetic) is examining the assembled parts of his hexapod kit, a thoughtful frown on his face.

JIMMY
(To himself)
Hmm, it's good… but it could be even better.

He looks at the pieces he's planning to make. A realization hits him.

JIMMY (CONT'D)
(Calling out)
Dad, do you know any good welders?

A moment later, TIM (40s, practical, with a warm smile) appears in the doorway.

TIM
(Eyes twinkling)
I can weld, Jimmy. Learned a bit in the Army.

Jimmy's face lights up like a Christmas tree.

JIMMY
(Excitedly)
Could you teach me?!

TIM
(Grinning)
I was hoping you'd say that, son! What metals do you need to join?

JIMMY
Mostly steel, and some aluminum tubes.

TIM
(A slight pause)
Aluminum. Ahh.

JIMMY
(A little worried)
Is that a problem, Dad?

TIM
Steel, no problem at all! Aluminum is trickier. It all depends on the thickness of the metals and the quality of the welds. Welding can be expensive. Can we use rivets or bolts instead?

Jimmy gulps. He hadn't thought about that.

JIMMY
How expensive, Dad?

TIM
It's mostly the welding machines. Then there's gas and the special welding spools or rods, if we use something called TIG welding. I have an old 150 amp SIP, a MIG unit, back at my lockup.

JIMMY
(Confused)
TIG? MIG? What are those? I saw some welders at Lidl, they cost less than a hundred pounds! They didn't need gas.

TIM
(Chuckles)
Those are fine for general jobs, but I suspect we'll need a bit more finesse. TIG stands for Tungsten Inert Gas. MIG stands for Metal Inert Gas. You'll need TIG for joining small aluminum tubes. Have you ever heard of oxy-acetylene welding?

JIMMY
(Nodding proudly)
Yes, Dad! That's where you have two gas cylinders – one with Acetylene, the other with Oxygen. You join the gases in a torch and light it with a match, and it burns super brightly! Hot enough to weld steel!

TIM
(Smiling)
That's exactly right, son! Those gases produce a lot of heat. We won't be using that method for this, but it's good to know for brazing – like joining steel with brass filler rods, used on older pushbike frames. With gas as the heat source, metal filler rods are fed in by hand. TIG is similar, where you feed metal rods in by hand, but the heat source is an arc of electricity, struck in a shield of gas – that stops the metals from burning!

JIMMY
(His eyes wide)
Burning?

TIM
Yes, son, oxidizing. A gas like carbon dioxide or Argon gas keeps the oxygen in the air from touching the super hot, molten metal.

Jimmy is soaking it all in, a mix of fascination and a tiny bit of healthy fear. This sounds dangerous, in a good way!

TIM (CONT'D)
You know about soldering and flux, right?

JIMMY
(Of course!)
Yes, Dad! I solder wires for my Robot Wars projects using a soldering iron!

TIM
Electric?

JIMMY
Yes, but I've seen some of your old copper irons.

Tim laughs, a booming sound.

TIM
(Waving a hand dismissively)
Oh, those! More relics! Can't bring myself to throw them away. We won't be using those.

JIMMY
(Grinning)
Dinosaurs?

TIM
(Nodding)
Yes, antiques!

JIMMY
(Quickly)
Don't throw them away, Dad!

TIM
(A warm smile)
No, you can have them for your workshop. To remind you of the old ways.

That makes Jimmy happy. He loves the thought of blacksmiths and farriers, the pioneering spirit of the Wild West.

JIMMY
Thanks, Dad!

TIM
(A glint in his eye)
I'll show you how to join two pieces of mild steel if you like?

JIMMY
(Bouncing with anticipation)
Can you?!

TIM
We'll have to go to my lockup. Better tell Mum.

Tim calls into the kitchen.

TIM (CONT'D)
(Shouting)
Marion, just dropping down to the garage unit for a few minutes!

MARION (O.S.)
(Sweetly)
Okay, darling! See you in a couple of hours then!

EXT. LOCKUP GARAGE - DAY

Tim's garage is a treasure trove of tools and car parts, smelling faintly of oil and grease. Tim, with a firm, almost military tone, leads Jimmy inside.

TIM
Alright, Jimmy. Today, we're going to learn how to weld.

Jimmy watches as his father meticulously cleans two random pieces of steel bar using an angle grinder. It shrieks, sending a shower of sparks.

JIMMY
(Wincing, covering his ears)
Noisy, isn't it?

TIM
(Over the noise)
It's okay! Cleaning using an abrasive disc is quick. But be careful, that disc can cut through a finger in seconds! Always wear gloves!

The grinder whines to a stop. The rusty steel now gleams like silver. Jimmy's eyes light up. He's always been fascinated by welding, watching his dad work on the old Volkswagen camper van.

JIMMY
(His voice filled with excitement)
Can I really do this?

TIM
(Smiling)
Absolutely! Welding is a valuable skill that can come in handy for all sorts of projects.

Timothy explains the basics.

TIM (CONT'D)
There are three main types of welding: TIG, MIG, and stick welding. Today, we'll be using MIG welding, which is a good starting point.

He shows Jimmy the MIG welder, a bulky machine with a clever gun, fed by a spool of wire.

TIM (CONT'D)
This wire is the filler material that we'll use to join the metals together. The electrical current melts the wire and the base metal, creating a super-strong bond between them.

Jimmy watches intently as his father sets up the welder.

TIM (CONT'D)
Remember, it's important to wear protective clothing and a welding helmet to shield your eyes from the bright light!

Jimmy nods, eagerly pulling on thick gloves and a bulky welding helmet. He feels a bit like a space explorer.

TIM (CONT'D)
This is the earth cable.

Tim holds up a clamp.

TIM (CONT'D)
It has to attach to clean metal to complete an electrical circuit.

Tim attaches the clamp to a rust-free part of one steel bar. Next, he clamps the two steel bars together on a welding table. Jimmy feels a surge of anticipation as his father takes the welding gun.

TIM (CONT'D)
Helmet, please.

Jimmy pulls his helmet down, plunging him into darkness. Then, a shower of bright orange and yellow sparks flies into the air, and a brilliant blue-white light fills the garage! He can see the workpiece and a shimmering bead of molten metal. Tim stops and lifts his helmet.

TIM (CONT'D)
(Quickly)
Quick, Jimmy, look at the red glow as the metal cools!

JIMMY
(Amazed)
Wow! Bet that's hot!

TIM
(Grinning)
Sure is! Now, it's your turn.

He hands the welding gun to Jimmy.

TIM (CONT'D)
Start by running a bead along the edge of these two steel bars. Did you see how I did it?

JIMMY
(A little unsure)
Kind of.

Jimmy takes a deep breath and grips the gun. He squeezes the trigger, and slowly, carefully, moves the nozzle along the metal. A shower of sparks, a blinding flash, and then he sees it – the wire melting, joining the two bars together! A surge of triumph washes over him.

TIM
(Encouragingly)
You're doing great, Jimmy! Keep going!

After several more seconds, Jimmy lifts his helmet. He has successfully welded the two bars together! He's amazed at how quickly and easily the metals have joined.

JIMMY
(Grinning from ear to ear)
I can't believe I did that! Welding is really cool!

TIM
(Beaming)
It is, isn't it? With a little practice, you'll be welding like a pro in no time!

JIMMY
(Holding up the bar)
But how strong is the join, Dad?

TIM
(Taking the bar)
Let's see!

Tim grabs the steel bar tightly from each end. With a smooth, mighty effort, he pulls it into a perfect loop, strongman style. The weld holds firm!

TIM (CONT'D)
(Beaming)
Check that out, Jimmy! The weld didn't break!

He hands the bent steel hoop to his son. Jimmy tries to bend it further, but it's solid. He can't even budge it. Tim laughs.

TIM (CONT'D)
(Chuckling)
Strong, isn't it?

Tim glances at a dusty wall clock, then his watch, feigning astonishment.

TIM (CONT'D)
Crikey Moses! Is that the time?!

JIMMY
(Looking around, surprised)
It's like a time warp in here, Dad!

They hastily switch off all the power and lock up the garage. Jimmy clutches his proof of prowess, the welded steel hoop, all the way home.

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

Tim and Jimmy burst into the kitchen, two hours later than expected.

JIMMY
(Shouting up the stairs)
Mum! Mum! Where are you?!

MARION (O.S.)
(A little muffled from upstairs)
Coming, Jimmy, hold your horses!

Jimmy can't wait. He rushes upstairs.

INT. UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

Marion is sorting laundry. Jimmy bursts in, practically vibrating with excitement.

JIMMY
Mum! I did a weld!

Tim, downstairs, smiles, listening. Marion, curious, makes her way calmly down the stairs, Jimmy practically bouncing behind her.

INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

Tim stands in the middle of the hall, holding the rusty steel hoop with a wide grin. In the middle of the bar, a fresh patch of blue-grey metal gleams – the weld.

Marion studies the join, her expression turning to awe.

MARION
(Amazed)
Amazing! Well done, Jimmy!

She turns and gives her son a huge, proud hug.

TIM
(Cheerfully)
I'll teach him how to use the chop saw next! He'll be onto the frame for his robot in no time!

Jimmy is genuinely excited and immensely proud.

JIMMY
(Curious)
What's a chop saw, Dad?

TIM
(Grinning)
You know what a hacksaw is, and how to use it, don't you, son?

JIMMY
(Of course)
Sure do!

TIM
And it can be quite hard cutting through big metal sections.

JIMMY
(Wincing at the memory)
I only did it once. My arm nearly fell off afterwards!

TIM
(Chuckles)
Exactly! A chop saw is like a circular saw that cuts wood. Only, the blade is made of super-tough carbide or diamond! Mostly carbide cutting discs, three millimeters thick and three hundred millimeters in diameter. It spins on a powerful motor, and it slices through even stainless steel! Makes light work of cutting thick sections!

JIMMY
(His eyes sparkling)
Can I try that?!

TIM
(A knowing smile)
Perhaps next visit to the lockup.

Marion looks on in horror.

MARION
(Worried)
Is it safe, Tim?!

TIM
(Calmly)
If I show Jimmy and he wears all the safety clothing, yes, Mother.

MARION
(Looking at Jimmy, stern but loving)
You will do as your father says now, Jimmy?

JIMMY
(Throwing his hands up)
Mum! I always do what Dad tells me! Especially in the workshop!

Tim teases Marion.

TIM
(Whispering loudly to Jimmy)
Then there's a plasma cutter...

MARION
(Wagging her finger, a smile playing on her lips)
Oh, no there is not! Not yet anyway!

Jimmy wonders just how dangerous that might be. Tim winks at him, and Marion catches it in the hall mirror.

MARION (CONT'D)
(Returning Tim's wink to Jimmy)
Well, not just until Dad says you need to know.

JIMMY
(Hugging his dad again)
Thanks again for today, Dad! I really, really, enjoyed that. Even though it was a bit frightening to begin with!

With that, Jimmy bounces up the stairs to the bathroom. He needs a shower – his hair is full of welding fumes and tiny metal splatters!

>> SCENE 11

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