Great job, I've being meaning to start this little project myself as I also have no soldering experience, this might give me the encouragement to give a blast.
Amazing work there Richie. The workshop looks great and in the kitchen!! No wonder you get so much work done, Eat, drink in the same space.....all you need is move the bed in and you'd have a proper sweat shop!!
I believe one exploded in Cork in the 60's, spoke to a guy at the Cork show last Sunday about it and he's got some Photo's of it he was going to route out for me. I'll post them up if I get them.