new to welding

[Gizmo2]

gizmo,

what are weld flash burns. is one helment better.why scratch propane.

cm

I have always used a #10 lens for welding and never had an issue. Google "Welding Flash".
Propane, IMO, is a PITA. Yeah I know that explains a lot but I am sure others will add. As did deereman75.

 

[gwdixon]

gizmo,

what are weld flash burns. is one helment better.why scratch propane.

cm

Weld flash is when the arc is exposed to bare eyes. It could be a auto helmet that didn't darken on time or a touch when the helmet is not in use. Pros can get it from reflections in the shop or others welding. You'll see spots and have scratchy eyes for a few days. It can cause permanent damage.

Burns are well...burns. I wear Carhartt overalls for their thickness and flat front (prevents sparks from getting where you really don't want them). Pros wear leather aprons or jackets for the same reason.

Recommended shoes are steel toes, over the ankles, heavy leather. They will keep the sparks off your ankles. Special soles are not really necessary unless you plan to weld while standing in water.

I once cut a heavy beam on a sharp angle and it let go before I was fully prepared. It impaled my foot through a light shoe. Never again - it has been steel toes and leather since then. Yeah...close the barn door after the horse got out.

Propane is of limited use. The big box stores like Lowe's and Home Depot have medium-duty torch sets. You will be shocked at the price but they have to be made well for safety's sake. Then there is the killer - the price of the O/A bottles. The O/A set-up is something to look for on Craigslist unless you have a large budget.

After years of O/A use I went with a plasma cutter. Talk about luxury. But that is a high dollar issue. O/A is more versatile if you can only have one. Having both sure is nice.

As far as the helmet goes, you'll end up getting a good one eventually so might as well start off with it so you don't have a half dozen or so helmets in storage (don't ask). Plan to spend over $200 for a Miller, Jackson, Lincoln if you decide to go for the better ones. Auto-dark is a must for beginners like me.

Don't believe the crap from ShieldArc about being new. He is (was) a pro and has excellent advice. We all learn new things so maybe that is what he means.

What is your budget for all of this? That may make deciding what is essential more realistic. Right now you are probably looking at $2K - $3K just to get started if you follow most of the recommendations.

 

[flusher]

The position you have to weld in will also determine your rod selection. If you are on your back (sometimes can not be helped) you will prefer a 60 series if weld allows...:laughing:

Righto. 6010 and 6011 are fast freeze rods--what you need when welding over your head.

 

[Shield Arc]

Pros can get it from reflections in the shop or others welding. You'll see spots and have scratchy eyes for a few days. It can cause permanent damage

There is some words to live by! One time I was welding side by side with a guy, we were both running 3/32 inch flux core around the 500-amp range. We stood up a sheet of plywood between us. Every once in a while I noticed some light from his side of the plywood but didn't really think to much about it. By the end of shift my right eye was bothering me a little, just figured it was some grinding dust in it. About 2:00 A.M. I couldn't take it anymore, off to the emergency room for eye drops for a flash burn. About two days latter my wife could peel the hide off the right side of my face and neck.:laughing:

 

[candyman]

i`m setting aside $3k for now.you mentioned helments from miller, lincoln etc. should those be the only ones to consider?

cm

 

[Haywire]

speedglas and jackson are other names.

 

[deereman75]

i`m setting aside $3k for now.you mentioned helments from miller, lincoln etc. should those be the only ones to consider?

cm

I have a low model lincoln, and I love it. If I was to get another helmet, it would be either a higher model lincoln, a miller elite, a high model speedglas, and maybe one of the jacksons. Another thing that is good to have is a pair of carhart overalls, that and a welding jacket is great for everything welding and cutting. (and it keeps your clothes clean) As far as other things you will need, atleast one grinder, I have 3 and I wish I had one more. I would recomend either makita, milwaukee, dewalt, or metabo. 4.5 inch and 5 inch are the ones I use the most. A 7 inch is nice to have, but you can go without it. (until you discover how nice they are) I got my 7 inch for $45 at a pawn shop, and it is one of the best ones. For torches, get a good one. I have a relabled cocona, a very good torch, but the airco style tips arnt that cheap. If I was buying a torch again, I would get either a smith or a purox. They both have a lifetime warranty (unlike most others), and I like my little smith more then my cocona. The purox also has a lifetime warranty for the regs as well, so that is probably what I would get. Another thing that is nice to have is a porta band, I have a 60 year old porter-cable that I got on ebay cheap, and it will last forever. I would say either a used milwaukee or worm drive porter-cable. This post has gone on long enough, so I think I will end it here.

 

[boomer1025]

i`m setting aside $3k for now.you mentioned helments from miller, lincoln etc. should those be the only ones to consider?

cm

Candyman, if I was you, I'd get a good helmet, cotton flame proof jacket, skull cap and good pair of safety glasses.. Being on the farm you should already have a pair a leather gloves & maybe coverall's. Practice welding with the new welder on scrap metal for awhile. Then start adding to your collection of welding stuff. As for an A/O outfit Victor or Harris Heavy Duty. Burning/cutting metal is not hard, but a whole lot more hot & heavy sparks. When you start to smell rags burning while cutting or welding, check your pants legs. As for shoes, a pair of leather boots, something you can get your foot out of real fast when cutting with a torch, when welding or cutting the sparks sometimes will get in pass the tongue of the shoe. Nothing like digging slag out of the top of your feet or the heels.
Cotton is your friend, it will burn but not melt into the skin like nylon and some of the other man made materials.
So grab a 5lb box of rods, a helmet & dig out an old pair of jeans, a heavy cotton shirt or jacket and burn some rods with the new welder.:thumbsup:

 

[Big Wave D]

i will be running the welder mostly on a generator, which has been shipped ,be here wednesday.

I've read about generators and electronics and sine waves and square waves and awful things happening if you don't have the right one.

Is this one of those expensive lessons if he fires up his new welder on your typical generator????

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

I believe he is getting the one we discussed over the phone. This generator has been used by at least a couple of our customers with this particular unit. They are clean power, and fairly inexpensive. Lets just say, he couldn't buy a used, worn out Wildcat for what Candy will have in a separate generator and 200 amp inverter welder.