School me on the Tombstone

[gabeancounter]

Another newbie here looking to become a "hack" weldor. I have a large supply of rusty metal- mainly 1/4" with a little 1/8 and 3/16.

The projects I would like to play with are making some additons to implements- weight racks, kick stands, gauge wheels etc. I am not interested in welding enough to go take classes at school etc (right now). Just being honest - would like to find a cheap tombstone and start leaving a trail of stuck rods:laughing:

I have read for hours already about mig versus arc, and it appears that I would be better off just getting a cheap tombstone for the projects I have in mind?

Questions:
Any DVD recommendations for learning to arc weld?

What is the thinnest metal or tubing that can be welded with an arc welder? Can you weld metal grate - like on trailers to the tubing for gates?

Is the DC welders that much better? If so what makes them better? I can find the AC super cheap, not so easy for the Ac DC rigs.

 

[Travelover]

Check out Youtube for welding instructional videos.

 

[gk stewart]

I learned how to weld on an AC machine, the are harder to maintain a steady arc. You can learn to weld with them, but your welding rod selection is more limited. Mild steel with mild steel electrodes with AC. DC is easier to weld with and it will work on most metals. Hope this helps. gk

 

[gabeancounter]

Youtube is so hard to tell if the guy knows what is doing or not. Seems that most waste about five min just getting there camera setup etc. Also these are only like 1-9 min so many times you have to watch the whole video to determine it useless? Any suggest vids on utube?

Can you help me understand "DC is easier to weld with"? Can you tell me the advantages of the DC only rods? Thanks

 

[gk stewart]

With practice you can weld thin metal, tubing and expanded metal. some plow metals have been hardened. the DC. machine and specific rods are used to make the weld hold. AC, the arc fluctuates back and forth, Alternating current. DC, more stable arc, direct current.

 

[gk stewart]

DC. will run any rod. AC are more limited. Most machines are either AC or AC/DC. if you are just going to weld mild steel , pipe, sheet metal, tubing you can do it with AC. you would use an E 6011 electrode. Most electrode boxes are labeled AC/DC or just AC. gk

 

[gabeancounter]

With practice you can weld thin metal, tubing and expanded metal. some plow metals have been hardened. the DC. machine and specific rods are used to make the weld hold. AC, the arc fluctuates back and forth, Alternating current. DC, more stable arc, direct current.

Thanks for the reply. That is starting to make sense. How often do you run the machine in DC? Prices seem to be low as $100 for the AC lincoln used and as much as $400 for the lincoln with ACDC. Found a Hobart stickmate for $250. Worth the extra $?

 

[richamor]

A good AC welder will do most anything a homeowner will need. A good DC will set you back twice as much or more. My Lincoln AC225 buzzbox was $125.00 and was basically new. Rod selection for it may be somewhat limited, but they can be easily found at Lowes and HD.

I would suggest you get someone to show you how to run a bead, set your welder up, and give you some pointers. It's like painting...it looks easy and anyone can do it. It's just being able to do it WELL that's the difference. And for that, you need someone to tell you what you doing right and what you're doing wrong. And you need practice.

Good luck.

 

[Highbeam]

Bah, you only need one or two types of rod to weld and they are very very available at home depot. 6011, 6013, 7018 any of those in the appropriate diameter and you're all set. Do not worry about rod availability with the AC machine.

The AC vs. DC thing is also nothing to worry about for your application. Yes, AC means the current alternates but it alternates 60 times per second just like your light bulb does. Do you see the lightbulb flickering? This is a non-issue. The big benefit of DC welding is that it is easier to weld "out of position" meaning overhead or on a vertical weld. The AC weld puddle tends to drip away if it can. This can be resolved with technique to some extent.

Get the used AC box and try it, you know you can always sell it for what you paid.

I own an old AC225.

I have been able to weld exhaust pipe with the stick welder, not pretty but in a pinch you can do it. Expanded steel for trailers, I've done lots of that, the trick is to start your puddle on the thicker base metal and bring the grate into the puddle.

Rusty 1/4" thick steel is perfect for a tombstone.

 

[gabeancounter]

lol ...Highbeam, that is what I want to hear!

How about those small cutting torch outfits they sell at the HD. Someone has a new one that fell off the truck for $200? How long do the little bottles last?
Lincoln Electric Port-A-Torch Kit - KH776 at The Home Depot