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Welders And Welding

Discussion in 'The Tool Shed' started by IRQVET, Mar 9, 2015.

  1. Mar 9, 2015
    IRQVET

    IRQVET Bubbaification Exorcist

    Tallahassee, FL.
    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2015
    Messages:
    680
    I just picked up a new flux welder, a reconditioned Northern Industrial Welding- 115V unit. This machine only cost me $109 and it had good reviews. I will admit I have never welded anything in life, but I wanted to learn so this seem like a good machine to get started with. I picked up some Hobart 71t-11 Flux 0.30 wire as from what I've read the wire from Harbor Freight is garbage.

    What is everyone else using, and what information can you bestow for someone getting started with welding?

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Mar 9, 2015
    piffey263

    piffey263 Active Member

    Medford, OR
    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2008
    Messages:
    1,214
    Not putting tools on the dinning room table in case the woman in your life catch you

    Sorry had to, umm you might look into taking a welding class at the Junior College. They should have one where you are at, those classes will be really valuable to teach you safety things and good practice.

    Otherwise, make sure you have gloves, helmet, and keep skin covered. A fire extinguisher is good also, I have to watch the grass with just the grinder let alone the welder. Then lots of practice and have fun.
     
  3. Mar 9, 2015
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    I taught myself to "weld" sometimes it looks great, sometimes not so great. I have done fine welds with flux cored wire. cheap, no argon mix, no regulator but makes smoke that you breathe. Fire extinguisher.. I bought the biggest one at home depot and then bought another because I have a tendency to light things on fire. Wear a suede welders jacket and some nice welding gloves. I used a harbor freight welding hood. I used it for a couple years. I ended up having issues. I never got "flashed", but i would always have a headache after welding for more than 15 minutes. I don't know what it is, but since I bought my 3M speedglas I have not had that issue. I spent 300 bucks on it. Lot of money, thats how much my eyes and head bothered me. Watch all the youtube videos. they really help.

    oh yeah, everything you do will be better if your joints are bright and shiny and fit up is the key to good looking and strong welds. if yo have big gaps or whatnot you're going to have a not so good weld. Look at tarrys frame build to see what a good fit up should look like. practice, wear out that welder.
     
  4. Mar 9, 2015
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2014
    Messages:
    7,540
    Welding has really helped me to hone my grinder skills.

    I bought a Lincoln wired feed 15 years ago for $5 from where I work (they were throwing it away!!!). I bought another one complete with ALL accessories including a bottle off of CL for $150. I have a small metal welding table, I recommend this. I bought the welding magnets from HF to hold things in position while welding. I also use the Hobart wire.
     
  5. Mar 9, 2015
    Wenaha

    Wenaha Member

    West Coast
    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2014
    Messages:
    415
    A friend gave me a Millermatic 140. I bought the cart, CO2/Argon gas and bottle, and a welding helmet. I do not know how anyone could weld without the automatic darkening visor on the helmet. I suggest you buy a quality helmet even if you go with 'value priced' accessories for the other stuff.

    I have done a little welding, but it's a new frontier for me.
     
  6. Mar 9, 2015
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    yup.
     
  7. Mar 9, 2015
    IRQVET

    IRQVET Bubbaification Exorcist

    Tallahassee, FL.
    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2015
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    680
    Duly noted :iagree:
     
  8. Mar 10, 2015
    uncamonkey

    uncamonkey Member

    Greeley CO
    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2009
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    2,104
    Welding isn't that hard to learn but then again my first welding class was about 35 years ago. I don't call myself a welder but .... Watch somebody that is a pro welder and have them watch you while you weld.
    90% of my recent welding has been done with my 220V Clarke mig, bottled gas, all of that. Body work on the Jeep.
     
  9. Mar 10, 2015
    Danefraz

    Danefraz Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Chico CA
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    Aug 11, 2012
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    I too like to melt metal, and apparently burn the grass...

    look here for remaining proof that welding can cause turf to burn (dry turf anyway): http://www.earlycj5.net/forums/show...ntless-Project-the-Heep&p=1121377#post1121377

    I recall welding and smelling something familiar, couldn't put my finger on it. My feet were oddly warm, but then it was summerish... after finishing some dots of welds on the firewall, I look around and 10ft diameter of the grass had burnt... as you see, low flame (3 to 4 inches) but none the less... DOH! I didn't need to run and jump in the pool to put the seat of my pants out...

    my then 6 year old had to go get mommy to show her what I'd done... hehehe...

    I've got a little lincoln 110v, use a gas mix 60/40 CO2/Argon iirc. Best thing I spent money on besides a helmet for me, and one for the munchkin so I can teach her to weld too (she likes to watch). I've used 25 to 35 sized wire. I like the 25 for the sheet metal, but found if I crank up the feed, I can fix cracks on the old exhaust headers, er, well, they look clean when ground and painted...

    I tried welding up a 'pivot ball' that as half gone (clutch pivot I think), and got close, but with a mill file I can only make it back so round, so it was fun to try (chucked it in the drill press and went at it with the mill file). Done some other stuff pretty well.

    Have fun. And as others' say, you're only an angle grinder away from fixing an ugly weld.
     
  10. Mar 10, 2015
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2003
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    8,102
    :iagree: :D

    H.
     
  11. Mar 10, 2015
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
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    5,593
    Took a class at local technical school and then practice practice practice. Building a welding cart is a great first project to learn. I am a total hack but after a year and half managed some decent sheet metal repair. anything ugly can normally be ground or cut out and redone. Also agree the best purchase was auto darkening helmet.
     
  12. Mar 10, 2015
    IRQVET

    IRQVET Bubbaification Exorcist

    Tallahassee, FL.
    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2015
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    My local junior college has welding classes, but they are all in the morning when I'm at work. Plus I have a new baby so time is limited these days.
     
  13. Mar 10, 2015
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    I have a hobart that size gas ready but i have only ran 30 flux core.
    I self tought myself but the best thing is a good angle grinder (I have a porter cable 7.5 amp) and a quality variety of wheels
    Get name brand grinding wheel and a pack of cutting wheels a cup wire wheel and a sanding disk they will be cheaper in the long run.
    Take time when Cleaning the metal junk in is junk out. Keep the gaps tight and ground well.
     
  14. Mar 10, 2015
    uncamonkey

    uncamonkey Member

    Greeley CO
    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2009
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    2,104
    I ran one spool of flux core wire through my Clarke and never looked back after I went to the gas system. Laying in a weld is sort of like doing bondo or drywall work, don't put in too much, just that much more to remove later.
     
  15. Mar 11, 2015
    Posimoto

    Posimoto Hopeless JEEP Addict

    Minden, Nevada
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    Aug 7, 2003
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    You'll know you are becoming a better welder when you remember to hook up the ground cable EVERY time before you try to start an arc.
     
  16. Mar 12, 2015
    Chris Insull

    Chris Insull All roads lead me back to the beach... 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Chesapeake, VA.
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    I've got a Miller DVI. Runs on 115 or 220; easily welds anything I would ever need from 22g to 3/8" in a single pass. Best advice... Learn the basics then PRACTICE, PRACTICE , PRACTICE!
     
  17. Mar 12, 2015
    Jeepenstein

    Jeepenstein Me like Jeep..

    North Central FL
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    Jun 15, 2003
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    Wow has it ever...
     
  18. Mar 13, 2015
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2003
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    Miller has a good amount of information on their site and you can get some good books with pictures to help you. The best thing you can do - find someone to help you learn. There is a lot of little things that make a HUGE difference (angle of weld, hold angle, push v pull, temp, speed, type of weld, you get the idea) and it plays into all of these.

    I have gas, MIG, TIG, Stick - been welding for (god) 38 years now. With a weekend's project building bumpers, I can normally get a newbie welding good beads by the end - then for them to become real good and willing to weld stuff where your life depends on it takes time and practice. I can do that with any kind of steel, but am just starting out on AL stuff - hope to be there by the end of this year.
     
  19. Mar 13, 2015
    pfmg

    pfmg Member

    Billerica Mass
    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2010
    Messages:
    258
    Miller 185 220v here. Local tech school for me to and they were cool. After you took the 2 basic welding classes, next you take the advanced. In there you could either keep working on your welding skills to get certified or something. Or you could work on you own projects, anything you want. The instructor helped where And when needed. But you got to use all the equipment, serious equipment, huge computer controlled press brakes, plasma tables etc. you paid big materials that u used.

    I took the class 1/2 doz times or so.
     
  20. Mar 13, 2015
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2012
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    3,784
    Pretty much what Chuck said above....................been welding for 45+ years..........father was a certified welder. Learned ARC from him. I have Acetylene Gas, Miller 300 Tig & ARC, Lincoln LN-25 suitcase which is a DC unit that needs a stand alone 25-40 volt DC power source & can burn up to 1/16" wire at 500 amps that runs off of a Miller Bobcat AC/DC gas powered source.....strictly for commercial. and my latest purchase a Miller 211 Mig (nice machine) ...............No , I do not weld for a living , although I do weld to create a living , nor have I been professionally trained or schooled.

    In my Trucking Company............I found the need to be more engaged in that process when others hired by me that were supposed to be professionals welded for me but could not perform the task at hand in a suitable manner on frames and exotics. Since my life was already impacted by welding and having already built several race cars and helped others on there projects getting some further hands on training , education and experience was a challenge I welcomed. I still weld in my Business , but only the tough jobs.

    Welding is a constant educational process. In order to weld something properly you must first know the content of the base metal , and then apply the proper welding technique and filler metal and shielding gas if need be............that process also pertains to metal preparation in being clean along with proper joint techniques. Without the joint being properly prepared the weld will never be strong!
    Not all metals are weldable and even some that are the process to do so changes with the application.........I weld just about every metal there is. From Mild steel to exotics including stainless, Bronze and Brass to Aluminum and all the alloys in between.
    When I am dealing with something I know nothing about , I either post a message on the many forums out there or talk with some of my friends that Weld for a living. At the very least I will try to find a sample of the material in question and work with it prior to welding the real part...........

    Best advice: You Tube has some good information, Take a welding class at night............or go to your local steel yard as I did when young and buy up a 50 lbs of scrap in various sizes and burn away........then cut your welds in half and look at the penetration and try to break them , you'll soon catch on to the process.
    No Rocket Science here just allot of hard work & time to be good!
     
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