Machinewars
Member
I’m practicing mig welding and would like to weld some hooks on my bucket. Can I mig weld hooks on? Will mig welds provide a strong enough bond?
New Hobart 140.. can I weld on bucket hooks?
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k0ua
Epic Contributor
I don't see why not. I have welded many on with a stick rig set a 125 amps for 7018 1/8 inch rod. First make sure every thing is clean. No paint, no grease no dirt. Just clean bright metal. Practice on some scrap of similar size/thickness first. Point your MIG gun a little more at the heavier/thicker metal, Don't try to move too fast, watch your puddle. You should be fine. Again I highly recommend you practice first as you will have to look at those hooks for a lot of years. And you would much rather point to them with pride than shame.
Roadworthy
Elite Member
I'll agree with James but be sure to practice your welding skills and get to know the welder before entering into the project. It's a lot easier to do it right the first time than to redo it later. You may even try to get some pointers from a neighbor who has done some welding. You'll just have to play a bit to balance heat, wire feed speed, and the way you run a bead.
metalbender
Veteran Member
I'll agree on getting some serious hood time before attempting critical welding.
5030
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In my view, a MIG welder is the 'glue gun' of welders and takes little skill to use properly. Having said that, prep is everything just like any welding.
Citydude
Super Member
Being a novice welder has vastly improved my grinding skills.
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Applies to gasless. Add shielding gas and the spatter (and grinding) is greatly reduced. I suggest in investing in a needle scaler, makes removing spatter much less invasive and removes weld dross as well.
WranglerX
Super Member
Clean all surfaces to bright shiny metal... Grinder is to clean surfaces before weld not after weld.... Setup welder for basic setting by door panel chart.... Run a few practice beads to be sure of settings ( you may need to tweak them a bit as the are just ballpark numbers) and you hand is steady (mine varies from day to day at 77 years old) before actually doing project ....So far all the tractor accessories and other things I have made with my HH140 have not failed and I have worked with up to 3/8 materials (some with triple pass) ... MY personal preference is solid wire and shield gas (GMAW) because finished product is cleaner....
Need welding advice ...
Site below is basically for FCAW welds, but helps a lot for GMAW...
Another thing that will help develop good welding skills is, PRACTICE - Practice - practice...
Need welding advice ...
Welding Tips and Tricks - TIG, MIG, Stick and a pantload of other info
Down and Dirty Welding tips and tricks , No PhD's allowed
weldingtipsandtricks.com
Site below is basically for FCAW welds, but helps a lot for GMAW...
Another thing that will help develop good welding skills is, PRACTICE - Practice - practice...
Last edited:
fishdrivel
Gold Member
What thickness of material vs wire gauge is important. .035 wire best but .030 might also.
I would not weld with .025
As someone else said, you can check the charts to see what your welder is capable of.
Citydude
Super Member
I have a stick welder. Maybe weld twice a year on small projects. Getting proficient welds but not the prettiest. Thus the grinder.
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Never cared for gasless MIG.
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.035 solid wire is too heavy for a 115 volt machine like a Hobart Handler 140. .023 or .025 wire will actually penetrate better. For flux core .030 or .035 is fine. How thick is the bucket where the hook is going to welded? My bucket was only about 1/16 thick where I wanted to weld the hooks so I welded large 1/4 plates to the bucket and then welded the hooks to the plates.
Eric
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Your welder has the capability to do this job. I can not answer the "I" part.
Take your time and properly prepare the area. Clean shiny metal is your friend.
Probably going to need multiple passes depending on the design of the hooks.
Citydude
Super Member
WranglerX
Super Member
The HH 140 is a 120v machine and will handle .030 solid wire and C25 quite well... I use .030 almost exclusively with mine...
k0ua
Epic Contributor
Well, I am certainly no "expert" with a Mig gun, having done it with other peoples machines about twice. But I have welded up a bunch of things with the two stick machines I have owned. I have learned a few things. It is easier to make prettier welds with a DC machine. It is easier to make prettier welds with 7018, one you figure out how to make it run. And it is FAR easier to make good pretty welds with a auto-darkening helmet than without one. 
.
I have learned there is no substitute for practice, and I have learned that weld prep is the key to pretty and strong welds, the less crap you are trying to weld thru, the better looking and stronger by far the welds will be. I have learned that settling down, and taking your time and steadying your hand, and getting your body as "untense" as possible will usually result in better welds.
I have learned that yes, you really can benefit by watching every welding video put out by Jody from welding tips and tricks on you tube CAN really improve your welding if you pay attention to them. I have learned that practice, practice, and some more practice is the road to perfection, and then take the time to critique your own welds, and test them with a big hammer.
See if you are improving and think thru what you have learned and try to apply that. Learning to weld is an acquired skill like driving for instance, but it isn't quite as hard as learning to drive, because all of the disaster factors are right there in your own hands. You don't have to worry that someone is going to T-bone you at an intersection.
. I have learned there is no substitute for practice, and I have learned that weld prep is the key to pretty and strong welds, the less crap you are trying to weld thru, the better looking and stronger by far the welds will be. I have learned that settling down, and taking your time and steadying your hand, and getting your body as "untense" as possible will usually result in better welds.
I have learned that yes, you really can benefit by watching every welding video put out by Jody from welding tips and tricks on you tube CAN really improve your welding if you pay attention to them. I have learned that practice, practice, and some more practice is the road to perfection, and then take the time to critique your own welds, and test them with a big hammer.
See if you are improving and think thru what you have learned and try to apply that. Learning to weld is an acquired skill like driving for instance, but it isn't quite as hard as learning to drive, because all of the disaster factors are right there in your own hands. You don't have to worry that someone is going to T-bone you at an intersection.
k0ua
Epic Contributor
DC welder for starters, 7018 or 7014 are easier to make pretty welds not needing any grinding. Good auto-darkening helmet so you can get a good start and watch that puddle.
Citydude
Super Member
I have an Everlast 200sti (DC only)and use 7018. My welds are like me, not pretty but can get the job done...
