Give me your welding experiences

JD3130 · Dec 31, 2004

Mith,
That's a good example of what we are trying to get you to understand. I've had my Buzz box since 1959, it's only shut off by itself once in all that time. And that was when the hot lead became pinched, when an "I" beam fell on it. There is no need to mistreat the welder! As for questions, I don't mind answering questions.

Mith · Dec 31, 2004

wow, i thought that it did that to everyone /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
i guess i have been using it a bit hard but whats the point of it if i cant use it for what i want to do
ok for the stuff that i need to do it hasnt heated up (welding exhausts) but on the practice welds it heats up right away even at 90 amps in belkow freezing temps
what am i doing to heat it up so much??? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
im not so thrilled if i cant use it to do what i want even if i am a very demanding user, i use my tools hard but treat em right
that isnt so great /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
mith

EastTexFrank · Dec 31, 2004

( ill stop asking as many questions )

Don't ever do that ... whether it's about tractors, welding or life in general .... keep asking.

Besides, some of us old timers on the board find your enthusiasm envigorating.

JD3130 · Dec 31, 2004

heating up 
Check that you have a good solid ground. You said something about using a file cabinet as work surface. I had my doubts when you said that. Over there those are made from 18-19ga sheet metal with folded or spot welded seams and are treated and painted. Very poor conductors for your ground. The thin metal and poor joints gives it a high resistance. Go to a salvage yard, get your self a piece of used plate or steel grating. I prefer the plate, I can tack my projects right to the table and grind it off for the next one. Others like the grating because they can clamp thought the holes in the grate and the dirt just falls away. In any case clean them with you grinder if they get rusty so you have a good ground at all time, especially at the ground clamp. I would recommend you compare your ground clamp with the better ones sold by your welding supply. Most Buzz boxes have very cheap cables on them. I like the ground clamps that are made like C-Clamps, but they should have at the very least very very strong springs!
If that don't help we try some thing else!

Mith · Dec 31, 2004

yes your right about the file cabinet very thin metal - going to the scrap yard is on my to-do list - going probably on sunday or monday
again youre right about the ground clamp - mine has a huge hole it it from when i started a rod on it and it burned straight through - parents said they would buy new clamp and rod holder cos the holder is really poor quality and the clamp really loose
seroiusly im not just being a yes man - i am taking your advice and actually doing it (thats why i asked to begin with)
thanks for your help and frank for your encouraging words
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gifmith

slydog · Dec 31, 2004

Hey JD,
I can purchase one of these at a local show for $40, but I have to do it by 7pm tomorrow as they are leaving. Would this be worth the $40, just to have a 220 volt, 100 amp stick welder??
$40 100 amp welder

Ken

DougM · Dec 31, 2004

homie......................................

I would be very careful

DougM /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

JD3130 · Dec 31, 2004

Ken,
Depends on how much you would use it. You know what they say about men and our toys!! To me they are worth it. But I have one that I made myself from a copper plated heavy duty 6" C-Clamp ($16.00) also works very well. Just drill and tap a 3/8 hole in beefy part of the clamp. Use a stainless steel or brass bolt to attach your cable. Check that your cable eyelet is 3/8, it may be 5/16? in which case tap it that size.

JD3130 · Dec 31, 2004

Hold on Ken!!!!!!!!!!
Soorryy about that! I got ahead of myself. I thought you where asking me about a ground clamp!!!
Then I saw the link to the Little Welder!
45-100 amps and it is 30lbs. You not getting much. Money is in the transformer. It doesn't say what the duty cycle is. But I bet it 10% or less. I'm guessing the max you could weld would be 5/16". maybe 3/8. A good helmet will cost more than 39.00. (Not the HF ones) I don't think I would waste my money on it, unless I had a use for like to keep in a camper to make quick repairs or something.
Just my 2 cents.

Mith · Jan 1, 2005

slydog - its similar spec to mine only mine is a tad larger
remember to add on the cost of a helmet as the one that came free with mine (and looks the same as the one in the pic) is useless you can see through it normally
read through the thread if you havent already as im sure youll encounter the same problems i have with mine
mith