Another welder thread

[sixstringsteve]

the best way to find out if it penetrated well enough is to cut it apart and examine it. I could be wrong, but it kind of looks like the blob of metal is sitting on top of your joint, rather than melting the two adjoining pieces of metal.

 

[Kevin B.]

the best way to find out if it penetrated well enough is to cut it apart and examine it.

Awesome, I'll do that.

 

[frieed]

I ran through about 40' of 2" tube that I cut into pieces, welded, sliced, polished, etched, and junked before I felt confident to make the auto rotisserie for my brother. A whole bunch of the welds looked really good, but didn't penetrate. The flux core welds penetrated the best so that's what I used to make it.

 

[I Lean]

Here's an instructional video for you, that might help out. He's using a Weldpak 100 also, so this should totally apply here:

[video=youtube;Us7VDZT-NcQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Us7VDZT-NcQ[/video]

In case you're wondering, just do EVERYTHING 100% the opposite of what he tells you here, and you'll be better off.

 

[UNSTUCK]

I always enjoy that video when it pops up.

One thing I noticed that make a huge difference is to clean the area you are going to weld. Take a grinder and remove the mill scale off the material so the metal shines. You will have the best chance of getting a good weld that way. Then just practice - a lot.

 

[dutchman]

I need to come over and learn with you!

 

[Kevin B.]

I need to come over and learn with you!

Any time, just say when!

 

[jeeper]

I need to come over and learn with you!

A big "learn to weld" party would be awesome! Every one can bring some scrap and a welder, and have some real good welders teach us. I can lay some decent welds, but it would be nice to know how I should be doing it. We just need someone with a large shop, plenty of electrical power, and willingness to teach..

 

[mesha]

Kevin i would be happy to teach you what i know. So come on over. I dont know much, but i will teach it to you.

 

[Kevin B.]

Kevin i would be happy to teach you what i know. So come on over. I dont know much, but i will teach it to you.

I'm learning... slowly.

My first project is a cart to roll the welder around on. The welds look like half-priced crap so far, but I beat on them with a sledge and the angle iron is bending and the welds aren't, so I think I'm doing something right. Jeeper is right, a weld party would be fun though.

While I've got your attention, did you get my PM?