Welding thread!!!!
03-11-2015, 03:06 AM
#901
No, I don't lick fish.
There's a saying in the motorcycle world that kind of applies here.
"Chrome won't get you home"- Neither will pretty welds, if the beauty is only on the surface- NOT penetrating deep.
The best welds are those that hold, anything beyond that is just window dressing.
Believe me, Bass, even the best welders don't always lay down perfect looking beads.
Ignore the random pieces of wire sticking around there... was too lazy to bend down and grab my nippers off the ground to trim my stickout. So I just burned them off on the side of the piece... was just for practice anyway.
Here's what they looked like after some grinding. I could have kept grinding and gotten them looking a little better, but I needed to get to bed (worked all night - had to work again tonight)
[img[https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-maCrBX0IUM0/VP_a8Pf2jWI/AAAAAAAAPVM/JiuXc6xKS-k/s800/20150310_112424.jpg[/img]
These were just two pieces of exhaust pipe I had sitting around and decided to put them together. The two ends weren't flush, not cut off at a 90 degree angle AND the swedged end of the one piece crooked it up at an angle - which I didin't realize until after the fact. I didn't have anything backing the gap to keep the weld pool in place - just kinda piled the welds up to fill the gap. After grinding it down, I did find some holes (naturally). I plan on doing a little more with it when I have time. As far as strength goes - well, for the purpose of exhaust anyway - I would trust this to stay together once I fill the leftover holes. Definitely need some more practice though.
For those that weren't aware, the HF 90 amp FCAW is NOT DCEN. It's AC so it makes the weld and the spatter WORSE. I found a YouTube video showing in detail on how to convert it to DCEN after buying a bridge rectifier and a capacitor. I think I'd rather save the money up for a MIG though.
Last edited by Basslicks; 03-11-2015 at 03:10 AM.
03-11-2015, 11:16 AM
#902
CF Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: California
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
I'm not an expert but I can relate some beginner problems. I went through a stage thinking all my problems were about my skill. Some where practice but some that I could never overcome were related to equipment. My welder was not able to weld 3/16" steel even though it was rated for this. My buddy's slightly larger welder sitting right next to mine and my quality was day and night. Proper equipment + prep + practice has helped me a lot. I would do what you said and get some quality wire.
I'm probably going to forgo air lockers for now and make an investment in a high(ish)-end 220 MIG welder. I still like my small unit but I just make sure I know what it works well on.
I'm probably going to forgo air lockers for now and make an investment in a high(ish)-end 220 MIG welder. I still like my small unit but I just make sure I know what it works well on.
Last edited by McCaffrey; 03-11-2015 at 11:20 AM.
03-11-2015, 03:41 PM
#903
Newbie
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Boost, I was not talking about fusion, undercut, cold, porosity, etc. I understand that as far as inspections go it is visual first. But if you are basing a visual inspection on how pretty a bead looks, I feel its wrong. Most news welds dont even know what undercut or porosity are. I have seen many ugly welds that have passed the break and acid etch test.
03-11-2015, 08:05 PM
#904
CF Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Warren, Pa
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Thanks for the encouragement guys. Makes me feel a little better considering the welds I laid down today. I think I really need to get rid of this HF wire though...
Ignore the random pieces of wire sticking around there... was too lazy to bend down and grab my nippers off the ground to trim my stickout. So I just burned them off on the side of the piece... was just for practice anyway.
Here's what they looked like after some grinding. I could have kept grinding and gotten them looking a little better, but I needed to get to bed (worked all night - had to work again tonight)
[img[https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-maCrBX0IUM0/VP_a8Pf2jWI/AAAAAAAAPVM/JiuXc6xKS-k/s800/20150310_112424.jpg[/img]
These were just two pieces of exhaust pipe I had sitting around and decided to put them together. The two ends weren't flush, not cut off at a 90 degree angle AND the swedged end of the one piece crooked it up at an angle - which I didin't realize until after the fact. I didn't have anything backing the gap to keep the weld pool in place - just kinda piled the welds up to fill the gap. After grinding it down, I did find some holes (naturally). I plan on doing a little more with it when I have time. As far as strength goes - well, for the purpose of exhaust anyway - I would trust this to stay together once I fill the leftover holes. Definitely need some more practice though.
For those that weren't aware, the HF 90 amp FCAW is NOT DCEN. It's AC so it makes the weld and the spatter WORSE. I found a YouTube video showing in detail on how to convert it to DCEN after buying a bridge rectifier and a capacitor. I think I'd rather save the money up for a MIG though.
03-12-2015, 03:11 AM
#906
No, I don't lick fish.
03-13-2015, 02:47 AM
#908
No, I don't lick fish.
03-13-2015, 04:02 AM
#910
No, I don't lick fish.
Yeah I really like the Hobarts. I think that will be my next welder. I'd really like a 190 but 650-800 bucks is a little out of my price range. I think what I'll probably end up with is like a Hobart Handler 125. I've heard a lot of good things about it and I don't plan on doing anything structural any time in the near future. Once I do, I'll get something larger.
03-13-2015, 09:30 AM
#911
CF Veteran
if you've got access to 220v power supply, definitely get a 180 or bigger machine now, so you won't be scrambling for one later.
i have a really good 140a machine running on standard 110/115v and let me tell you, it's only good for light metal as in body panels and maybe exhaust work, that's it.
for anything else on the jeep, i'm busting out my big 250a fabricator.
i have a really good 140a machine running on standard 110/115v and let me tell you, it's only good for light metal as in body panels and maybe exhaust work, that's it.
for anything else on the jeep, i'm busting out my big 250a fabricator.
