Okay, so I saw this crazy thing online about making a bathtub out of A-10 Titanium and I just had to try it. I mean, who wouldn’t want a bathtub made from the same stuff as a freaking warthog airplane?
Getting Started
First things first, I needed to get my hands on some A-10 Titanium. Let me tell you, this wasn’t easy. It’s not like you can just pop down to the local hardware store and pick some up. I spent weeks calling around scrap yards, metal suppliers, even some airplane boneyards. Finally, I found a guy who knew a guy who had some decommissioned A-10 parts. Score!
The Build
Next up, the actual building. I’m no expert welder, but I’ve dabbled a bit. This was a whole different beast, though. Titanium is notoriously tricky to work with.
- Melting Point: We’re talking super high temperatures here. My little welding torch wasn’t going to cut it. I had to borrow some serious heavy-duty equipment.
- Shaping: Bending this stuff was a workout! It’s incredibly strong. I ended up using a hydraulic press and a whole lot of elbow grease.
- Welding: The welds had to be perfect, or the whole thing would leak. It was a challenge, but I was careful. I researched different types of welding that could be suitable for the job.
It took what felt like forever, but I finally got it all pieced together. It wasn’t pretty, all rough edges and uneven welds, but it was mine. A genuine, A-10 Titanium bathtub.
The Moment of Truth
Now for the best part, filling it up! I carefully turned on the water, holding my breath. Would it hold? Would my welds give way? Slowly but surely, the tub filled up, and… it worked! No leaks, no cracks, just a beautiful (and slightly terrifying) titanium tub full of water.
I hopped in, and let me tell you, it was an experience. The water felt…different. Maybe it was just the placebo effect, but it felt like I was bathing in pure, unadulterated awesome.
Final Thoughts
So, was it worth it? Absolutely. Was it practical? Probably not. Would I recommend it? If you’ve got the time, the money, and a slightly unhealthy obsession with military aircraft, then go for it! It’s a conversation starter, a unique piece of functional art, and a testament to the fact that sometimes, the craziest ideas are the best ones. I love just staring at my weird tub, It’s not perfect by any means, but I made it, and that is a pretty cool feeling.