Any tips for first time welder...
#31
02-19-2010 | 04:43 PM
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Diesel Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 278
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From: Chiefland, Florida
I've got all the safety stuff (pants, jacket, gloves, helmet, etc.)... Ok, well after some experience, here are some things i've learned that are "must do's" for a clean weld: CLEAN THE METAL GOOD, TAKE IT SLOW, and DON'T WEAR A FLANNEL (they go up in flames quickly 
) 
.. it's been fun and will be fun to come... 
) .. it's been fun and will be fun to come...
#32
02-19-2010 | 04:47 PM
BOMBARDIER
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 12,854
Likes: 1,112
From: Illinois?
#33
02-20-2010 | 06:30 PM
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Diesel Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 278
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From: Chiefland, Florida
well i had to use the new welder for my bull bar today... It's "suppose" to be bolt on with zero fab or drilling... Well, not so much!
I had to cut plastic trim pcs, flip the brackets different then they were suppose to go, and still ended up cutting off 5 inches of the bar and rewelding tabs with nuts inside the cut piece... It was all day and 4 trips to town for misc stuff... It was an experience to say the least... I'll post pictures of the truck with the bar on ASAP... it looks great.... NOW!
I had to cut plastic trim pcs, flip the brackets different then they were suppose to go, and still ended up cutting off 5 inches of the bar and rewelding tabs with nuts inside the cut piece... It was all day and 4 trips to town for misc stuff... It was an experience to say the least... I'll post pictures of the truck with the bar on ASAP... it looks great.... NOW!
#34
02-12-2011 | 08:49 PM
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Diesel Enthusiast
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From: Chiefland, Florida
Well i pulled this thread out and blew the dust off and decided to post on it...
I've managed to get pretty good at welding and as said, it takes lots and lots of practice and burning through lots of metal to get used to the temp/wire speed mixture... and to figure out what a good weld is compared to a pretty weld... When you can do both, you're in good shape...
Here is a picture of one of my finest welding experiences from the other day and a roll around multipurpose cart i build for the shed... I built it out of all scrap metal (shipping containers, etc.) given to me by my local Tractor Supply Store... They like me!
Thanks everyone for the advice...
I've managed to get pretty good at welding and as said, it takes lots and lots of practice and burning through lots of metal to get used to the temp/wire speed mixture... and to figure out what a good weld is compared to a pretty weld... When you can do both, you're in good shape...
Here is a picture of one of my finest welding experiences from the other day and a roll around multipurpose cart i build for the shed... I built it out of all scrap metal (shipping containers, etc.) given to me by my local Tractor Supply Store... They like me!
Thanks everyone for the advice...
#35
02-13-2011 | 02:38 PM
Watch someone else, then practice. MIG really isnt that hard to do, just make sure you have the settings right. Stick welding is a little more complicated but is fun to do 
1) Leave no skin exposed, otherwise you will get burned from the UV rays (just like sunburn, except you can get it in 20-30 minutes of welding)
2) never look an an arc with unprotected eyes. I've never been flashburned, but Ive heard its sucks bad.
3) Wear clothes made of 100% cotton, and try not to have frays on the bottom of your jean legs.
4) Always watch for sparks and hot slag, and try not to let one go down your shirt of anything. Would not be fun
5) As far as motion goes with a welder, you have to kind of find what works for you. Some people make circles, some horseshoe patterns, some figure 8's, just find what you like the best.
1) Leave no skin exposed, otherwise you will get burned from the UV rays (just like sunburn, except you can get it in 20-30 minutes of welding)
2) never look an an arc with unprotected eyes. I've never been flashburned, but Ive heard its sucks bad.
3) Wear clothes made of 100% cotton, and try not to have frays on the bottom of your jean legs.
4) Always watch for sparks and hot slag, and try not to let one go down your shirt of anything. Would not be fun
5) As far as motion goes with a welder, you have to kind of find what works for you. Some people make circles, some horseshoe patterns, some figure 8's, just find what you like the best.
#37
02-13-2011 | 03:57 PM
BOMBARDIER
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 23,293
Likes: 1,322
From: North of You
I have a wire feed too, they are a bit different than stick, I have found with a wire feed to use a zig zag aproach, this allows the puddle to flow back and forth and get good tie in, the key is to get yer temp and wire speed set right, as said above it will sound like bacon cooking when its perfect, I love my auto darkening helmet, I can weld so accurate that way, it makes for a great start up and is manditory for welding intricuit stuff as you can hold yer gun 1/4" away and when you pull the trigger its perfect every time, wire feed is the best for filling cracks as you go from the "Z" pattern to a big "U"
GOOD welder and fabricator right here. Fixed my bambi killer bumper for me.
#38
02-14-2011 | 10:14 PM
Diesel Fan
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 53
Likes: 2
From: Western NY
Watch someone else, then practice. MIG really isnt that hard to do, just make sure you have the settings right. Stick welding is a little more complicated but is fun to do
1) Leave no skin exposed, otherwise you will get burned from the UV rays (just like sunburn, except you can get it in 20-30 minutes of welding)
2) never look an an arc with unprotected eyes. I've never been flashburned, but Ive heard its sucks bad.
3) Wear clothes made of 100% cotton, and try not to have frays on the bottom of your jean legs.
4) Always watch for sparks and hot slag, and try not to let one go down your shirt of anything. Would not be fun
5) As far as motion goes with a welder, you have to kind of find what works for you. Some people make circles, some horseshoe patterns, some figure 8's, just find what you like the best.
1) Leave no skin exposed, otherwise you will get burned from the UV rays (just like sunburn, except you can get it in 20-30 minutes of welding)
2) never look an an arc with unprotected eyes. I've never been flashburned, but Ive heard its sucks bad.
3) Wear clothes made of 100% cotton, and try not to have frays on the bottom of your jean legs.
4) Always watch for sparks and hot slag, and try not to let one go down your shirt of anything. Would not be fun
5) As far as motion goes with a welder, you have to kind of find what works for you. Some people make circles, some horseshoe patterns, some figure 8's, just find what you like the best.
I did that with a stick welder not fun
#39
02-15-2011 | 05:15 AM
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