Give me your welding experiences
- Thread starter Mith
- Start date
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I am not far ahead of you guys, all I have is a Sears 220 buzz box I received as a Christmas present couple of years ago. If you want to have some fun playing, go pick up a few horseshoes from your local animal supply. You can get all sizes from pretty big to pony which is fairly small. Not that expensive and you would be amazed what you can make if you let your imagination run wild.
slydog
Gold Member
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2004
- Messages
- 338
- Tractor
- 1955 Ford 640
Ok guys,
I've been welding on my RV tank mounting frame and everything seems to be turning out ok.
I was trying to drill some holes in this bedframe steel today though, and I have to tell you, this is the HARDEST metal I have ever tried to drill thru. It is only about 1/8" thick, but I ruined a 1/4 inch, new titanium bit in the drill press trying to drill it. I had it set to the lowest speed possible on the pulleys, but am thinking that was still way too fast. I went to my half inch drill motor, and a little smaller bit, and was able to drill it, but MAN it was tough. I thought those bed frames would be some cheap softer steel. NOT!
Got some more welding to do in the morning, and I will try and charge up some batteries for my digi cam and post some pics of my welds maybe tomorrow.
PS. best purchases I have made so far regarding making welding projects easier:
Set of vise grip type C clamps. A large benchtop vise. Some of those magnetic corner steel holders. An angle grinder. A protable band saw. Auto darkening welding hood. Bottled gas!
I've been welding on my RV tank mounting frame and everything seems to be turning out ok.
I was trying to drill some holes in this bedframe steel today though, and I have to tell you, this is the HARDEST metal I have ever tried to drill thru. It is only about 1/8" thick, but I ruined a 1/4 inch, new titanium bit in the drill press trying to drill it. I had it set to the lowest speed possible on the pulleys, but am thinking that was still way too fast. I went to my half inch drill motor, and a little smaller bit, and was able to drill it, but MAN it was tough. I thought those bed frames would be some cheap softer steel. NOT!
Got some more welding to do in the morning, and I will try and charge up some batteries for my digi cam and post some pics of my welds maybe tomorrow.
PS. best purchases I have made so far regarding making welding projects easier:
Set of vise grip type C clamps. A large benchtop vise. Some of those magnetic corner steel holders. An angle grinder. A protable band saw. Auto darkening welding hood. Bottled gas!
Taylortractornut
Elite Member
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2002
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- 2,770
- Location
- Iuka Mississippi USA
- Tractor
- 3550 Fard Backhoe and a 1948 Farmall Cub,
Slydog In drilling and boring holes the smaller the bit the higher the rpm needed to drill it. On the press's lowest speed 300 RPM it probably work hardend the materieal by the friction of it not movin fast enough to start cutting. The happens alot with drills and milling cutters. I also have masonary bist in the shop to drill out harden bolts or studs in hard steel and 18 wheeler frames. The next time you have to drill a hole in the material try settin the press at about 550 rpm. If I had my handbook near me id tell you the nearest cutting speed and a the way to figure it.
Inspector507
Super Member
I agree slydog, bedframe rails are HARD.
texastomtom
Gold Member
I'll work on some pics tomorrow Mith.
texastomtom
Gold Member
Mith
As for hot materials ( your very first post )
We used to keep around a tub of water to cool things after working on them. Usually my brother would make something and need it right away so the water came in handy.
I never did weld anything that was 'in a hurry' or important enough to be in a hurry..... ! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
This brings to mind a question for you other guys though !
Did he do this to cool it only or does it also do something to help temper or ??????
Question in short - is cooling the only reason he did that..
We also did it a lot on the torch stuff... I actually wasn't to bad with a torch.....
Maybe we just liked to see and hear the steam when you dip it... Try it Mith - its one of those strange things that is just neat regardless if there is a point.
tom
As for hot materials ( your very first post )
We used to keep around a tub of water to cool things after working on them. Usually my brother would make something and need it right away so the water came in handy.
I never did weld anything that was 'in a hurry' or important enough to be in a hurry..... ! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
This brings to mind a question for you other guys though !
Did he do this to cool it only or does it also do something to help temper or ??????
Question in short - is cooling the only reason he did that..
We also did it a lot on the torch stuff... I actually wasn't to bad with a torch.....
Maybe we just liked to see and hear the steam when you dip it... Try it Mith - its one of those strange things that is just neat regardless if there is a point.
tom
texastomtom
Gold Member
Just thought of another question...
It is a safety question.
I am right handed.
I do have a bit of trouble holding the stick 'steady'
Is there any safety reason not to let the rod ride on my free left hand to stabilize it.
The main thing i can see happening is if by chance some part of my body was grounded to a common conducter with the work metal and I 'completed' the circuit by grabbing the welding rod - perhaps if I had a hole in glove or such ?
Actually I do not even know if their is a shock risk if a person just grabbed both cables from the welder... I would assume there is... I have never done this with a welder on..
Before I go rambling any further,,,, I'll let you guys fill me in on the basics of the safety of welders in said respect.
Thanks !!!!!
Tom
It is a safety question.
I am right handed.
I do have a bit of trouble holding the stick 'steady'
Is there any safety reason not to let the rod ride on my free left hand to stabilize it.
The main thing i can see happening is if by chance some part of my body was grounded to a common conducter with the work metal and I 'completed' the circuit by grabbing the welding rod - perhaps if I had a hole in glove or such ?
Actually I do not even know if their is a shock risk if a person just grabbed both cables from the welder... I would assume there is... I have never done this with a welder on..
Before I go rambling any further,,,, I'll let you guys fill me in on the basics of the safety of welders in said respect.
Thanks !!!!!
Tom
slydog
Gold Member
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2004
- Messages
- 338
- Tractor
- 1955 Ford 640
Tom,
From watching my brother weld in the past, he would sometimes lay his left fist down on the work surface, then sit his right wrist on top of that to steady the stinger. He would slide his hands along as a unit as he welded along.
As far as holding the rod, well..those things do get hot! And as you posted, there is the risk of getting zapped.
From watching my brother weld in the past, he would sometimes lay his left fist down on the work surface, then sit his right wrist on top of that to steady the stinger. He would slide his hands along as a unit as he welded along.
As far as holding the rod, well..those things do get hot! And as you posted, there is the risk of getting zapped.