1st Welding Project - Bucket hooks

Henro · Jul 30, 2003

Nice job! From the pics your beads look pretty nice! What rod did you use? 

jimg,

I mostly used 6013. First time I used this rod. I had read that it was easier to get a good bead with it than it is with 6010. Also I figured I would have less chance of burning through the bucket because 6013 penetrates less. I have about 5 lb of old 7018, that I practice with but I was unsure about using it on this project. I suppose I could have on the welds on that angle, there is so much weld there, but also wanted to try 6013 so that is what I did.

I did use 6010 for the root pass on the hooks. I had some trouble with getting a good bead as the smaller hooks were beveled on the bottom. Even at 90 amps dc with 1/8 rod it seemed way too hot.

My welder is a ThermalArc prowave 185. It's an inverter tig like the maxstar, or more like the Miller dynasty, but I've yet to try tig with it. Hope to do that soon and wish there was a class I could take on tig too...

Next thing on my welding list is a torch set up...trouble is there are too many list...tractor list...welding list...you know how that goes...

gsganzer · Jul 30, 2003

Henro,
Like you, I use 6013 w/ DC for most projects. It's very versatile and forgiving. The 7018 you mention is a low hydrogen rod, that's commonly used for high strength structural or pressure vessel welding. The problem is the 7018 is hydroscopic and absorbs moisture. They usually need to be kept in a rod oven to remain fresh.

If I need to throw down a lot of bead, I use 7014. If you get the speed and amps right, the slag can be flicked off easily and the beads look real pretty.

Welding is definitely a learned skill (I'm still learning) and practice makes perfect. I built about 1000' of 2 rail welded pipe fence around my horse pasture. It was a blast, I can share a lot of tips with anyone interested in a similar project. I'll try to post some pictures one of these days.

My next project is a metal raised center aisle 6 stall barn. I've been drafting the plans on AutoCAD, using a nearby barn manufacturers kit as my model. I'll be able to pre-fab all of the structural trusses in my workshop and then just bolt it all together. The manufacturer sells the kit for about $12,000 (not installed). I priced up all of the material and it will only cost me about $5,500 in material including the structural, roof panels, side panels and trim. What's really great is the trusses are light enough that you can put everything together using a rolling scaffold (no cranes or lifts). I'll post pictures when I start on that project.

jimg · Jul 30, 2003

Yes, the 6013 is a nice easy rod to use. It can be dragged unlike the 6010/11 which needs to be weaved. The 7018 is for low hydrogen tasks. Ive only run into one of those (my swingers). The pain w/ the low H rods is that to do it right they need to be kept in an oven to drive off moisture. I think theyre also made to be used hot. In any case I didnt heat mine and the project turned out OK. Really it only matters when codes are involved. If no one is insepcting then its pointless.

That was a good move to weld the root w/ a high penetrating rod. BTW a rough guesstimate for starting amperage is to take the decimal rod size and make it an integer. That is 1/8" rod would be .125 which gives 125 amps. Its been a while since Ive used a 6010/11 but as I recall I set the amps to somewhere around 100 or so. They do spatter more than other rods and are course. When using the 6010/11 you should whip the rod which helps weld quality and keeps the heat down. Sadly we didnt do that much w/ the 6010/11 rods but I think theyre pretty good once you get used to them. I my view they really shine b/c they penetrate deeply (which is wanted for most cases) and they dont require surface prep.

You have anice welder! Did this come TIG ready? THat is does it come w/ the internal gas valve and all? At the time only the Maxstar was available. I would have really liked to get a Dynasty 200 b/c there are times Id like to weld Al. When I take the TIG class Im going to get some pointers on DC Al welding...it can be done.

The gas rigs arent very expensive and you can get a really nice name brand that will do everything youll ever need. I got a Victor which is very common in my area. Its certainly not top of the line but then again itll cut 2" stuff w/ the right tip. I cant imagine needed that capability. Anyway once you get it youll wonder how you ever got along w/o. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif The other thing its really good for is preheating. Ive run into a couple instances when a preheat was needed. jimg

hazmat · Jul 30, 2003

Kind of wish I had a MIG welder instead of stick. Took a number of rods to get this length done... 

You really didn't need a to fully weld the angle as far as strength goes. A 1" stich on 3" centers would have done nicely with maybe a little extra near the hooks. Might save you some time (& rods) when you buy tractor #3 /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Looks great, someday I'll get a welder...

accordionman · Jul 30, 2003

HENRO,
this is about the way i did mine, although i did not run
the angle full length of the bucket, and i skip welded
mine. i also used a spray can of kubota,$7.00 orange
paint. the back of the bucket is a weak point, and this
type of addition will give it a lot of strength. yours looks
strong!
accordionman
william l. brown
wright city, mo
L3000DT,FEL

Gary_in_Indiana · Jul 30, 2003

Bill,

If my thread and subsequent posts on my welding class got you interested in taking your class I couldn't be happier. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif It sounds like you enjoyed yours as much as I enjoyed mine. You mentioned that now that you have your hooks you can't think of where to use them.

For what it's worth, I use my loader (and backhoe) for everything from lifting and carrying limbs, branches and logs to moving implements around because the one I need is always behind something else. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

I guarantee you that if I had new hooks on my bucket I'd probably move some stuff in and out of the barn just to use them. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I'm not really proud to admit that, but there it is. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Henro · Jul 30, 2003

You really didn't need a to fully weld the angle as far as strength goes. A 1" stich on 3" centers would have done nicely with maybe a little extra near the hooks. Might save you some time (& rods) when you buy tractor #3


Hazmat,

I figured as much, but since it was my first project with the welder and since I had not used the 6013 rod before, I thought I might as well just weld the whole thing up and be sure it wasn't coming off.

Next time I will stitch weld almost certainly. I did get some extra practice with the 6013 rod this way... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Having a welder does open a whole new world of opportunities... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

jimg · Jul 30, 2003

While MIG can be strong you have to know how to setup the machine properly. Otherwise, you can make nice looking welds that have near 0 penetration. Ive repaired some of those. With stick 0 penetration is somewhat harder to achieve although it can be done its just harder to do. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

RonR · Jul 30, 2003

Henro--you need a metal chop saw!

Appears you have a nice band saw with the view of your angle iron, but a chop saw makes short NICE work of things you need to cut for welding. You still need the torch for the bottom of the angle iron (in your case), but the chop saw saves a lot of time in getting pieces ready to weld.

I just use mine outside those as there are a LOT of sparks! Seeing your 100% weld reminds me of a friend who's motto is: "Anything worth Engineering is worth Over-Engineering!"

Best wishes,
Ron

dmartin88 · Jul 30, 2003

Looks great, I added a couple of hooks to my BX22 a few weeks back, not nearly as elaborate of a job as you did and mine still aren't painted. They were one of my first welding projects (I have a MIG welder) as well and good experience.

Mine are still holding, looks like yours will be there after the bucket tears off!