Improving your welding?

Shield Arc · Jun 22, 2014

Hiltz said:
Sorry but I have to put you on my ignore list.

:cool2::cool2::cool2::cool2::cool2::thumbsup:Works for me! I can think of a couple other people here I wish would do the same thing.

PILOON · Jun 22, 2014

Guess this needs to be my first and last post in this forum as I am a self taught welder that learned on my homemade hand wound welder.
The fact that nothing I have welded has fallen apart yet would not count.(hitches, frames, trailers etc). But then I am only 75 and have no experience.
So far my home made implements (drag, forks, ramps subsoiler refuse to let my welds separate), guess I scare them into submission.

Walkin Horse · Jun 22, 2014

I think I know what the problem is. After seeing post on another thread that you answered. I see now that your old your retired and your in snow up to your azz. But this is just my opinion. We need a PROFFESIONAL evaluation from a real psychiatrist

k0ua · Jun 22, 2014

Happy Gilmore said:
Can't we all just weld along :laughing:

And to think all of these various threads including this one all started a few weeks ago when an old lady came on here and asked what type of welder to buy. The SHTF and the fan has been blowing it around ever since. Now everyone has their "feelers" hurt, the "steely knives" have come out, the ignore buttons have been pushed, and "heck" NO we can't all just weld along!.:laughing:

pmsmechanic · Jun 22, 2014

This thread is getting better every day! Maybe I'm reading it all wrong but who cares. Some of the sarcasm here makes me laugh. Thank you Shield Arc!!

Arc weld · Jun 22, 2014

Lets try to figure this out. Shield Arc has willingly gave advice based on years in the trade and has even personally gave and/or offered instruction to anyone who will accept. They gave him glowing reviews on his knowledge and expertise. Somebody else comes along and says Shield Arc has no idea what it's like in the real world. Shield Arc posts pictures of projects he's worked on on Venus and Mars(cause he's not in the real world) in an attempt to back up his advice. Now somebody comes along and claims Shield Arc is boasting about his out of this world experience. All I can say is, I like turtles.:turtle:

newbury · Jun 22, 2014

Arc weld said:
<snip> Shield Arc posts pictures of projects he's worked on on Venus and Mars(cause he's not in the real world) in an attempt to back up his advice.<snip> All I can say is, I like turtles.:turtle:

I thought he just posted pictures because he knows some of us like welding pictures as well as tractor pictures.

Fear the turtle!

FTG-05 · Jun 22, 2014

Arc weld said:
Lets try to figure this out. Shield Arc has willingly gave advice based on years in the trade and has even personally gave and/or offered instruction to anyone who will accept. They gave him glowing reviews on his knowledge and expertise. Somebody else comes along and says Shield Arc has no idea what it's like in the real world. Shield Arc posts pictures of projects he's worked on on Venus and Mars(cause he's not in the real world) in an attempt to back up his advice. Now somebody comes along and claims Shield Arc is boasting about his out of this world experience. All I can say is, I like turtles.:turtle:

Hmmmm. Given SA's real world experience in welding high level nuclear waste containers, I wouldn't use the word "glowing" in any discussion about him.

But, then, that's just me.

Dishpointer · Jun 22, 2014

I appreciate the help and tips I get here and really appreciate SA, AW and the others taking their time to help. Keep it up and don't let the other negative posters bother you.

Happy Gilmore · Jun 22, 2014

Arc weld said:
We've been waiting with great suspense to hear how your welding course is going?

Ahh yes, I wasn't able to make the last 3 classes, personal things came up and I've been busy around the property. I'm kinda kicking myself for signing up for a Spring session as opposed to Winter. I'm going to keep going on the basics I learned and maybe give it another go when winter rolls around.

square1 · Jun 23, 2014

Improving your welding?

Welding...WeLding? I thought this was about weDdings, now I have to go back to post one and start reading all over again!

timster2 · Jun 23, 2014

I welcome the opinions of the experienced! When I first tried MIG I used a 110 volt machine and soon gave up, did not like what I was seeing compared to my stick welds. Since that time long ago I picked up a Lincoln 180c. Here is one of my projects with the 180 http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/284176-bucket-hooks-reciever.html?highlight= I wouldn't mind if SA and AW and others took a look and gave me some pointers. Been welding since I was twelve or so but never hired as a weldor, however, many of my jobs did require welding skills.

Shield Arc · Jun 23, 2014

timster2 said:
I wouldn't mind if SA and AW took a look and gave me some pointers.

timster2 some of them look cold. Now that could also be too slow of travel speed! You could either turn up the voltage, or turn down the wire speed just a touch. You need to fill the craters more before stopping. I try to never leave a crater on the end, I like to leave the craters in the middle of a run if I can. Remember with Mig on anything structural, you want to run as hot as you can handle it!
Other wise very nice job. :thumbsup:

timster2 · Jun 23, 2014

Shield Arc said:
timster2 some of them look cold. Now that could also be too slow of travel speed! You could either turn up the voltage, or turn down the wire speed just a touch. You need to fill the craters more before stopping. I try to never leave a crater on the end, I like to leave the craters in the middle of a run if I can. Remember with Mig on anything structural, you want to run as hot as you can handle it!
Other wise very nice job. :thumbsup:

The welder was set at max, I would suspect slow travel speed as I was going for max penetration. I realized leaving the craters at the end of the weld was not the best after I finished. Still revising my technique. Thanks for the once over :thumbsup:

Shield Arc · Jun 23, 2014

It must be to slow of travel speed. A couple of the welds look really good.:thumbsup:
I'm all for Mig, self shielded flux core, and dual shield. Majority of my welding was done with wire feed.
Here is a couple threads I did, Mig break test, and 7018 break test. The Mig results floored me!:shocked:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/welding/212146-mig-break-test.html?highlight=
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/welding/211904-7018-break-test.html?highlight=

Happy Gilmore · Jun 23, 2014

SA, what is the gauge you used in the above link?

Arc weld · Jun 24, 2014

Happy Gilmore said:
SA, what is the gauge you used in the above link?

That's a fillet weld gauge. There's other types as well. You measure the size of the weld by the lines on it not the size of the curved cut out. The curve is bigger to allow it to fit over the weld and have clearance in case the weld is bigger than the desired size.

Happy Gilmore · Jun 24, 2014

Ok, thank you Arc weld :thumbsup:

newbury · Jun 24, 2014

SA - When I go to beat some chips apart with a 5lb sledge what's a good number to stop at and give up?
10 blows, 20 blows? Or do you just beat it into submission?

Shield Arc · Jun 24, 2014

I'd beat on it until it breaks. Try to keep the same force / swing each time. Remember this isn't a very scientific test! It's actually to see the penetration of the weld, not the strength of the weld. If you put it in a shop press where you can accurately measure the pressure it takes to break the weld you would get better results.