First time welding

duanew1 · Aug 12, 2015

Big Barn said:
I dunno. Personally, ChuckE2009 annoys me.

When I first watched him I thought to myself "Why is he smiling all of the time?" and "Wipe that smile off of your face". I guess he is having a good time. Now I like him and have watched many of his videos.

Fawken · Aug 12, 2015

To me it looks as if he has had porcelain crowns added which makes it seem a person is smiling all the time. I'll have that problem as well when mine are completed. I think his videos are entertaining because they move quickly.

Shield Arc · Aug 12, 2015

With self shielded flux core, (T-11 wires only), as with Mig try running about 3/8-inch stick out.
No need to go into T-8 flux core wires, that wire is for structural welding. And a whole different animal all together from T-11 wires.

kevinwak · Aug 13, 2015

Well, tried it out again last night, sorry I forgot to take pictures. I ran a bunch of beads on some sample coupons and then noticed that they look decent for the first two inches and then get really sloppy. I then started to piece together my first project, as it is out of 1-1/2" square tubing. Man, why have I never welded before? The bike rack I am building is coming together way quicker then I envisioned. The only big issue I have is that I am paranoid that the Sparks from the grinder and chop saw are going to sit smouldering in the gravel floor of the pole shed and catch a fire when I am asleep.

flusher · Aug 13, 2015

The secret of welding--learn to read the puddle and learn all you can about tie-in.
And for the beginner--weld two-handed until you're able to lay down near perfect beads. Then you will have a better chance to do excellent one-handed welds.

Good luck

Shield Arc · Aug 13, 2015

kevinwak said:
The only big issue I have is that I am paranoid that the Sparks from the grinder and chop saw are going to sit smouldering in the gravel floor of the pole shed and catch a fire when I am asleep.

The odds are against starting a fire, but you never know. I use to work in a lot of oil refineries. We always had a fire watch. The fire watch couldn't leave for at least a 1/2-hour after us. Before the fire watch could leave they had to wet the area down. Is there anyway you can sprinkle some water on your gravel floor before you call it a day?

Sodo · Aug 13, 2015

Gravel floor is very much fire-safe but if you're worried about it doesn't hurt to be more careful. There's some sense in wetting down the area (under the sparks) prior to making sparks then they drown out (lose their heat) immediately.

Lets see the bike rack!

Mysfyt · Aug 13, 2015

Not that you shouldn't be nervous about starting a fire, but I don't ever remember starting a fire by welding. Not saying it can't happen! I did start a fire in a trash can once from grinding, though. I think those sparks are more concentrated plus they're being fed air from the grinding wheel. Good subject to bring up and talk about!

Fawken · Aug 13, 2015

I have started fires welding, but a lot more (usually my shirt) using a cut-off wheel. I always keep a Home Depot squirt bottle of water handy and there's two fire extinguishers in the shop just in case.

KubotainNH · Aug 13, 2015

I've only started a couple fires. Once many years ago I was welding on a pallet with dried leaves under it....oops. What's that smell? Ha ha, live and learn. A couple times I had some rubber on cars get to hot and start burning while welding in body panels. Never anything on dirt or gravel but good to be vigilant.

I enjoy metal work, wood seems more of a choir to me. If I screw up or cut too much off I can grind off the issue and weld more on. Way more forgiving. Cut too much on your wood piece and you gotta start over.

Mysfyt · Aug 13, 2015

Nastiest thing I ever did was start my hair on fire (back when I had hair) with an air arc. I think it was only the second or third time using it. Man, that was one wicked process!

Another time I was using a Stihl cut off saw and the sparks caught the leg of my coveralls on fire. The coverall material was polyester, and when I slapped the fire out with my hand, the polyester (plastic) stuck to my hand! Ouch!

jodebg · Aug 23, 2015

I've always wanted to weld, as well.

Any advise as to what welder to buy ( as well as other necessary equipment)
for welding steel?

Also advise as to good videos to help learn
the basic knowledge that is needed to get up to speed?

CNC Dan · Aug 23, 2015

jodebg said:
I've always wanted to weld, as well.

Any advise as to what welder to buy ( as well as other necessary equipment)
for welding steel?

Also advise as to good videos to help learn
the basic knowledge that is needed to get up to speed?

The best videos are from a guy named Jody Colier.
weldingtipsandtricks on youtube

And: Welding Tips and Tricks - TIG, MIG, Stick and a pantload of other info

Also check out weldingweb.
And Miller - Welding Equipment - MIG/TIG/Stick Welders & Plasma Cutting

Fawken · Aug 23, 2015

jodebg said:
I've always wanted to weld, as well.

Any advise as to what welder to buy ( as well as other necessary equipment)
for welding steel?

Also advise as to good videos to help learn
the basic knowledge that is needed to get up to speed?

I've been stick welding for 40 plus years and this year I started TIG AC/DC. Been using the AHP Alpha 200 for about 6 months and the only thing I don't like about it is the owners manual. Everything else is rock solid. For a beginning welder you can't miss. Does DC stick (fantastic arc), AC/DC TIG both up to 200 amps and will run on 220v or 110v. You'll find welding is lots of fun. Start with stick and work up to TIG.

k0ua · Aug 24, 2015

Fawken said:
I've been stick welding for 40 plus years and this year I started TIG AC/DC. Been using the AHP Alpha 200 for about 6 months and the only thing I don't like about it is the owners manual. Everything else is rock solid. For a beginning welder you can't miss. Does DC stick (fantastic arc), AC/DC TIG both up to 200 amps and will run on 220v or 110v. You'll find welding is lots of fun. Start with stick and work up to TIG.

This is what I did also. The advantages of stick are versatility and low cost. Low cost to buy initially, and low cost to operate. It is also very simple. MIG is generally agreed to be the easiest to learn but is more expensive to purchase, more expensive to operate, and has a lot more complexity. (moving parts and pieces). All of the process's have their place and advantages and disadvantages. But I will say this, for a $269 original investment, my little Everlast PA160 DC stick welder has certainly been a good investment. With the addition of some ebay parts (regulator and TIG torch) I have a setup that does all I need to do. From heavy steel welding to welding small parts of steel and other metals (for example copper) I do most of what needs done.

Shield Arc · Aug 24, 2015

Before wire feeders came into construction, I think most members here would be shocked at what we built with SMAW / stick welders. All in one day you might go from building chain / belt guards out of 16-GA material, to welding structural beams 1 1/2" thick.

RPW · Aug 24, 2015

Most of my welding out my property has been with stick and with rusty pipe I'm using for fence posts.
If I could get the metal clean enough I'd prefer to use MIG. A whole lot easier than stick.