Give me your welding experiences

SPIKER · Jan 2, 2005

I would not suggest the Stailess Steel surface, it will catch every bit of spatter and stick it good... anyhow brass, copper and mild steel are all good, mild steel is great for tacking projects down and then grind off tacks after it is all done... 3/8" or thicker if possable. 1/4" bare min and even that will warp good when it heats up from heat while welding on top...

cast iron is good too but can snap/pop out chunks when hit with welder wire/rod... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Markm

Mith · Jan 3, 2005

nice one geting your welder out tom /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
good to see the thread is useful to more than just me /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
sounds like a pretty mean welder
mith
btw - ive thought about it and i can get the wax crack, whats the deal /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

EastTexFrank · Jan 3, 2005

( i can't get the wax crack, whats the deal )

It's just that some of the members here are totally perverted. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif They wax and polish their cars, trucks, tractors, implements and anything else with a painted finish that they want to preserve. Waxing their welder is just an extension of that fetish. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I think they just like to see the water bead up on it when it rains. Either that or they have too much time on their hands. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif OK, I admit it, I'm one of those that wash and wax their tractor .... but only once a year!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

texastomtom · Jan 3, 2005

didn't get the wax comment,,,,

Reread what I said a few posts back about keeping you equipment nice,,, wax the welder etc...

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Mith · Jan 3, 2005

i guess i am one of them /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif but i dont go as far as the welder, or implements for that matter, admittadly the mowers get a go over once a month and a bath after every mow /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
i get it now /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
mith

texastomtom · Jan 3, 2005

How often do you wax the blades Mith ?

texastomtom · Jan 3, 2005

I'm just about READY

Got the tanks filled/exchanged today, They didn't have a new tip for my torch - and I can't locate any parts for it... May have to splurge for a new torch, once of the regulators is not acting exactly right either...

Got the new ground clamp on and the welder is ready.
Picked up some rods , goggled, welding helment, gloves.

I just thought I had found a cheap route. Still much better than have to buy everything new though...

Was really nice out this evening so got it all assembled and ready to play with - hopefully this weekend.

tom

ksmmoto · Jan 3, 2005

Hello Mith,

A tip I didn't see yet is to make sure you keep the ground clamp close to your work area on equipment. Like if you are welding on a tractor, don't put the ground clamp on the three point hitch and weld on the loader bucket.

A friend of mine found out the hard way when he was welding brush bars together on his dirt bike's handlebars. He had the ground clamp on a footpeg and his clutch cable caught on fire! Electricity will take the path of least resistance which can be thruogh odd places. This can be through bearings and can setup your engine.

I keep the clamp a foot or so away on assembled equipment. If you are just welding up frames or whatever you can have the clamp anywhere.

ksmmoto

Mith · Jan 4, 2005

"How often do you wax the blades Mith ?"
almost as often as i wax the exhaust pipe /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
mith