These thinhgs I have..this project I have..."Advice" I need!

[square1]

I have:
PA-300 welder
3/32 6013 rod
1/8 7018 rod

The project will be a log arch of sorts, the pieces clamped to the ends will have axle stubs connecting 54" diameter, 17" wide, 300 pound tires & wheels bolted & welded to the assembly. Logs weighing up to 3,000 lbs will be suspended under the arch. The end pieces are 3/8" and rest of the assembly is 1/2" mild steel. All metal has been ground clean.

The arch is actually upside down in the pic below. The pieces being added are to gain clearance to get 30" diameter logs a couple inches off the ground.





My intention is to weld everyplace the two pieces of metal come in contact, inside, outside, top & bottom.

Since getting my PA-300 I've welded a couple breaks in my FEL frame (1/4" MS), 5/16" grab hooks on my 1/4" MS bucket, 3/16" MS trailer light bracket that caught a tree and broke off, a split in 2" galvanized pipe and then that pipe to a 4" C-channel to mount lights on. All these things are in constant use and holding up well (knock wood) but I've never attempted anything this heavy.

Any and all advice for rod selection (I'm more concerned with this thing never breaking than I am with using rod I have on hand) and amperage starting points is greatly appreciated. Being in my 35th rookie year of welding, I'll take anything else that you have, no matter how obvious it is to you.

 

[Shield Arc]

If you can weld everything in the flat position? I'd use 1/8" 7018, around 135-amps, and 1 on the arc force. That's what I'd do with my PA-300.

 

[square1]

SA, Have I told you I'm glad you're back yet? 1 Pass all around? Thanks, I'm glad you're back

 

[Shield Arc]

Thanks, glad to be back!
Yes one pass all the way around. In your second picture, opposite the vice grips, the vertical weld. I'd grind a bevel on both plates.
Shoot for a good heavy 1/4" fillet weld all the way around. If you don't like the looks of that, go for a 3-pass fillet weld, all the way around.

 

[square1]

Thanks again. I'll groove that joint out wider. I mistakenly went narrow & deep, would have been a good if it were a butt joint, I wasn't thinking, it was dinner time! )

 

[Shield Arc]

Nothing wrong with a V-groove weld.
I found with my PA-300 Lincoln's Excalibur 7018 wets out better than ESAB's Atom Arc.
Going through my pictures, seem as I ran this 7018 weld at 140-amps.

 

[square1]

looks like I would have been a little unde4rpowered with my plan to go 125 Amps, going to turn it up some :thumbsup:

 

[Shield Arc]

I'd say the numbers are off on my PA-300. My Lincoln V350-Pro does the same thing with 20 to 25-amps less on the read out. Personally I don't pay a lot of attention to gauges, I just use them as a reference. I do what ever the puddle requires.

 

[kevin37b]

SA good to see ya back !

 

[Underdog57]

I had to run 135-140 amps with 1/8" 7018 on my PA 300 and probably could have gone higher! But I'm still learning.

Glad your back SA.