Advice for a Stick Welder

ACMan · Nov 21, 2004

Advice for a Stick Welder

Hi Folks,
I'm planning on building a grapple for my bucket and would like some suggestions on rod size and type for my 100 amp Lincoln welder. I've weld mostly small things like repairs on riding mowers, go-cart roll cage (tubing), brackets and such. I'm hoping to make a grapple and wanted to make sure that I use the best welding rod for my small welder. Any recommendations would be welcomed. Also any tips from the experienced would also be appreciated.

Thanks!

gray · Nov 21, 2004

Re: Advice for a Stick Welder

ACman.

That is a small welder for such heavy work? I am looking at a larger MIG welder now and have a Thunderbolt Miller 225 AC/DC stick that has done well for me. I use it on up to 1/2" thick but it is low on duty cycle. I can not imagine running a 3/32' rod for more than 2min, at 100A and getting much from it. I run that 7018 rod at about 125A for good penetration on a weld and on thick stuff it is 3 passes at least.

Go to the hobartwelders site to get lots of good experienced info on wleding and welders. Mi input is limmited.

Good luck.

bobodu · Nov 21, 2004

Re: Advice for a Stick Welder

Yep...that's a little welder for such work /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif.I have one that I use for things around here...today I built a 3pt for the tractor.But it's a real cheapo and gets hot after 1 rod.The best rod that I have used is 1/8 E6013.I CAN make the welder work if I have no choice,but I try to take everything I can down to the shop and use the big stick.We get our new MIG this week and I'll be back in heaven.Someday,I'll have an extra $100 to buy a bigger used welder...

Inspector507 · Nov 21, 2004

Re: Advice for a Stick Welder

That is a pretty small welder for that project.
6011 will give you a good root pass (deep penetrating) and you can follow up with 3 cover passes with 7018. The 6011 will be a nightmare to clean the slag off. The 7018 cleans off real well. Make sure all slag is cleaned off before trying a cover pass.
At only 100 amps, you're pushing it to run 6011 1/8 with decent penetration.
I'm assuming all, or most these welds would be a T joint.

PineRidge · Nov 21, 2004

Re: Advice for a Stick Welder

If you will be using 7018 low hydrogen rod for final passes like the Inspector suggested be careful to keep the rod dry. It is highly susceptible to moisture damage so it must be kept dry and clean at all times. Don't ask me how I knew that. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Inspector507 · Nov 21, 2004

Re: Advice for a Stick Welder

Maybe bake it in the wifes oven at 600 degs before using........?? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

ACMan · Nov 21, 2004

Re: Advice for a Stick Welder

Thanks Guys,

I know its pushing it. Ive had to do the multi-pass to fix my older tractor's and it does 'n make a pretty weld. I'm not going to make a monster Jaw just something like the "Thumb" like on ebay. But you've confirmed what I was thinking.

I'll probably borrow my friends bigger stick welder, but I hate borrowing tools.
Maybe I can show my wife that making an attachment to my bucket can save me more money than what buying a new welder would cost... maybe I could show her the price of an Avant grapple bucket ....it is close to Christmans.

Syncro · Nov 21, 2004

Re: Advice for a Stick Welder

"Maybe bake it in the wifes oven at 600 degs before using........?? " 

 Anybody out there know if this will really work?

RonR · Nov 22, 2004

Re: Advice for a Stick Welder

600* sounds like a lot..

They make boxes with light bulbs as heat to store these rods in.

Inspector507 · Nov 22, 2004

Re: Advice for a Stick Welder

OK, so maybe 600 is a bit too much.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

This is from the Hobart site
Storage: After opening, store in holding oven (220ºF to 350ºF) until used.

Edit..........
I knew I read 600 somewhere.........
Also on the Hobart site
Reconditioning: If exposed to atmosphere for extended periods, reconditioned for one
(1) hour at 600ºF.

wroughtn_harv · Nov 22, 2004

Re: Advice for a Stick Welder

This sounds like it might be time to price out renting a gas drive at Nation's Rent for the weekend. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Explain to the woman that you can't live without that you'll need to rent it out for two weekends. Then make sure she sees the cost of a tombstone from Lincoln or an equivalent from Hobart and Miller.

She'll suggest you buy a welder rather than spending just as much for renting one for two weekends.

They're much smarter than we are on things like this. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Syncro · Nov 22, 2004

Re: Advice for a Stick Welder

 "OK, so maybe 600 is a bit too much...." 
 
Roger that. I was thinking more of a slow steady bake, say 350 but for a few hours. That would seem to cook off any moisture. Maybe its just cheaper and safer (less apt to get smacked by the wife /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif) to just throw 'em away.

PineRidge · Nov 22, 2004

Re: Advice for a Stick Welder

A friend of mine that lives in Naples, Florida has an old refrigerator in his pole barn that he uses to keep his rod. He cut the compressor out of the circuit and wired the internal bulb so that it stays on all the time. He says it keeps his rod dry and warm ready for use. I don't know if it really works or not, seems like a waste of a good fridge that might otherwise be keeping the beer cold..

SPIKER · Nov 22, 2004

Re: Advice for a Stick Welder

baking rods is OK, if you are using an electric oven. 250 or so is good enough for about 6~8 hrs. this is only for rods that have been setting around for a little while ond only bake em once. after that it is better off to toss them out if you are building something that requires REALLY good welds. but most of us here are only going to weld up a crack on an old brush hog or make a small "thinggy-ma-doo" so warming and re-using an old bunch of rods is OK, as long as they are not sepperating from the rod/electrode. a slight bang on something hard on the eld with a slight angle if the slag/cleaner material cracks off then they are trash... anyhow I agree with others 100 amp is low for this items as a grapple needs to have some heavy material... barrow or buy a 225 with AC/DC they are not bad priced NEW from many sources and even a harbor freight cheapy will run a stick pretty good for the average TBN user...

MarkM /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

snorider · Nov 22, 2004

Re: Advice for a Stick Welder

I dont know about your oven but mine only goes to 500 degs. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

joe

MossRoad · Nov 22, 2004

Re: Advice for a Stick Welder

 I dont know about your oven but mine only goes to 500 degs

Put that thing on the self cleaning mode and it'll bake REEEEL hot! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

But seriously, I've been thinking of getting an electric oven in the garage for doing small powder coating projects. Cooking welding rods would be a plus for that decision, too.

Inspector507 · Nov 22, 2004

Re: Advice for a Stick Welder

Whats an oven?........I never operate one anyway /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

SPIKER · Nov 22, 2004

Re: Advice for a Stick Welder

mossroad:

we do lots of powder coating, (actually build the industrial ovens for that & have one setting on the floor going rom ohio to FLA and is 8'high, x 8' wide x 20'+ deep. they make ornimental iron works. if you do make sure you powder is cured for 20 min at 400 deg F. each color bakes a bit differently check with the mfg. guns for cheap stuff are OK for easy going projects, such as suspension parts ect. harbor freight has a 59.00 one. industrial quality ones are 3K+ we also have some other ovens forsale listed here http://www.haynncorp.com/forsale

anyhow if you need advice or help send me a message.

MarkM /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif