Improving your welding?

[newbury]

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.

Thanks
Yes, accuracy may be nice, but beating with a 5 lb sledge is stress relieving.

 

[Sodo]

Read some of the longer more recent posts. It was also suggested that hobbyist's have more experience to share with other hobbyist's and the Pro's don't have real world experience since everything is figured out for them and they just weld.

Arc, that's not what I meant. You advise newbies to choose a machine like a pro welder. The Pro welders agree, because it applies to them. The wannabe pros agree because it makes them feel better. But its useless info to a newbie, and frankly 90% of the rest. The pro welder already knew it, didn't need any help, so how did your advice help the forum? Either zilch, or perhaps negatively.

For example a pro welder who has everything cut & fit & tacked by lower-skilled assistants, and all he has to do is weld at a level commensurate with his payscale. He plans the welds to accommodate his machine's duty cycle so he doesn't get stopped in the wrong place. All he has to do, is produce a weld that gets passed by the weld inspector, which is not an insignificant task - and EVERY TIME! This stuff has a curiosity component but is no help for a newbie to choose (or avoid) a new welding machine for hobby/maintenance on a tractor forum.

I do learn from your posts, but have figured out there is often horsepucky in them. I find easy to throw that stuff out but when I see the newbies spouting it off, it tends to bug me. Not only as proof they are not getting the information they need but that you can't see the effect you are having in lording over this forum. I don't believe this would happen in real life (like Shield Arc helping someone in person, vs. his internet persona) I think it's only because of the internet.

Here's my assessment of the dynamic. Everybody's in the same room, so you advise newbies as if they are pros. Because there are a few pro welders in the room you have to choose between keeping up your reputation, and actually helping the newbies get going. You are concerned that your pro-welder associates might think you're "washed up", so always include a bunch of pro-level detail that is completely unnecessary, and does not apply to the situation, then feel compelled to defend it. That can happen on the internet. I don't believe it reflects real life.

A hobby/maintenance guy might be able to enhance this forum, but you chase them out. Leaving only yourself and a very short list of other pro welders to use the forum to give and get a pat on the back. IMHO that's leaving big holes in what's needed on a hobby/maintenance forum. Just look how careful everyone is, there's almost NO weld pics (other than test-plates) and everybody has to compose long disclaimers, trying to anticipate every attack.

IMHO, of course.

It is humbling to have a thread started in my honor that hit 9 pages before I even discovered it. Does that mean I've made an impression? If yes, then my only hope is for this forum to have more contributors and less "Lording over".

 

[Arc weld]

It is painfully obvious that you have ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE ABOUT THE WELDING TRADE!ullinghair::confused3: Do think every project just goes together lickity split? Do think the guys with rigs have fitters and helpers with them when they get called to a job? I don't think anyone has been chased away but the way you're going, you'll be talking to yourself on here in short order. You seem to think that only "pro's" ever weld anything over 1/4". Newsflash, a guy was just asking about repairing his backhoe bucket that has a 1/2" AR cutting edge. I try very hard to give sound, easy to understand advice to help out ANYONE with their welding. I really think you now realize that you paid too much for your welder and are doing everything possible to try and justify it and anybody that disagree's is just throwing "horesepucky". You even stated that the Miller rep took you. Nobody in their right mind would spend $2000 on a MIG machine to only use it on 120 volts. Your bad, not mine.

You are insulting the members of this forum by trying to tell them what advice they should listen too. I think the members have a lot more intelligence than you give them credit for and just because they don't weld for a living, still want to do things as professional as possible...AKA, the right way.:shocked: I could really care less what anyone thinks of my advice. What drives me is someone taking that advice and reporting back that it helped them. That's the reason I try to help. If you think anything else, well that's the real horsepucky!

 

[Reverser]

Boy, howdy!! Watch where you step.
There sure is a lot of horsepucky being thrown around.

 

[dragoneggs]

Boy, howdy!! Watch where you step.
There sure is a lot of horsepucky being thrown around.

Reverser... you are the master of the obvious. Funny how none of the perpetrators see this.

 

[Sodo]

of course, as a hobby/maintenance welder I could be wrong about the welding trade. Probably most members can assume as such.

But I can do what I need to do. And learn when I have the opportunity. And yeah dang that rascally MillerMatic salesman! Dang that Honda salesman too!

I don't think anyone has been chased away but the way you're going, you'll be talking to yourself on here in short order.

I am quite curious what you mean by this. Are you going to lobby to get me banned? Or are you going to threaten to quit, and get others to lobby to get rid of me so you don't quit? You a hostage taker? :laughing: Sorry pal it's not that bad. I can't tell you how to do the 'ignore' thing but others could help you with it.

 

[Arc weld]

You might be able to get a job selling welding supplies too ... at Home Depot. :duh:

 

[Sodo]

I try very hard to give sound, easy to understand advice to help out ANYONE with their welding. I really think you now realize that you paid too much for your welder and are doing everything possible to try and justify it and anybody that disagree's is just throwing "horesepucky". You even stated that the Miller rep took you. Nobody in their right mind would spend $2000 on a MIG machine to only use it on 120 volts. Your bad, not mine.

Dang - that MultiMatic 200 is surely a thorn in my side, I wish I'da taken your advice regarding the better machine. Got my sights on a 575v machine now.

 

[Happy Gilmore]

You might be able to get a job selling welding supplies too ... at Home Depot. :duh:

Ouch :laughing:

 

[Sodo]

You might be able to get a job selling welding supplies too ... at Home Depot. :duh:

Actually I'm no longer employable, except for free. Even then buyer beware - you may not get what you paid for (like internet advice).