How do you decide on what amperage to use?

[Haywire]

Do you just start in the middle of the range on the box of rods and go up and down depending on how it's welding?

Learning to stick weld over the internet is going to be fun, I can tell already. :laughing: I need to go find a class someplace to teach me the basics.

Ian

 

[kennyd]

Most welders include a chart that shows basic settings for the thickness of the material to be welded-as well well as rod/wire size. The Miller site has TONS of info on this as well. You can also Google "welding amperage chart"

 

[Dan W]

Do you just start in the middle of the range on the box of rods and go up and down depending on how it's welding?

Learning to stick weld over the internet is going to be fun, I can tell already. :laughing: I need to go find a class someplace to teach me the basics.

Ian

Haywire,

I have been welding for a while, I always wanted to do it so it came easy to me. I learned it in school as part of my heavy equipment training anyway. Have owned the same old Lincoln ac/dc buzz box, a 230 amp machine for 35 years and used it every summer.
Regarding how to weld, if I had to start from scratch, here is what I would do. Start with AC current (because it is easier to weld with) buy 1/8 inch 7014 rods, these will almost weld themselves they are so easy, and get some ｼ inch materials to weld. Crank up the amperage on your machine to maybe 130 Amps and dive in. Things to check for are sound, should be smooth and not excessively loud, look for the puddle of molten metal, ensure that it is smooth and flat, this will give you good weld penetration and lastly ensure you do not have excessive splatter, if you do, then turn down the heat. In a nutshell, it is all about practice. I would start with 7014, then try 6013, and gradually work up to 7018 on DC current, one of the harder rods to weld with but provides the best strength and weld penetration. And most of all, it is fun so have lots f that too. Take care

 

[jdonovan]

Do you just start in the middle of the range on the box of rods and go up and down depending on how it's welding?

Yep the range on the box will give you a good starting range, but you'll need to adjust based on the gap your filling, the position your welding in, your technique and a dozen other variables. :laughing:

Welcome to the 'art' of welding.

 

[dex3361]

Do not start out trying to weld thin metal, metal that is galvanized(welding galvanized put out some toxic fumes).

Get a chart that has pictures of what you are doing wrong such as this.
Miller Welding Tech Tips

Just weld, go out there and start. Put time in and look at what is going on compare it to the pics in the tech tip chart. You will get better as you go along if you analyze the results.

Welding is like wood working with metal.

When you can weld you start looking at metal differently.:thumbsup:

 

[rjmack]

Learning to stick weld over the internet is going to be fun, I can tell already

it's even more 'fun' in real life:laughing:

better count on getting used to the smell of burning skin and hair (your own).

 

[Haywire]

Get a chart that has pictures of what you are doing wrong such as this.
Miller Welding Tech Tips

Hey, thanks for that link. That PDF just might prevent a lot of really basic questions like this one.

Ian

 

[Soundguy]

i decide on an electrode size based on work piece thickness.. I decide on amperage based on the electrode size.. etc.

there are charts available for work piece, electrode and amperage..

soundguy

 

[Eric_Phillips]

When I took a class a couple years ago the instructor told us to take the decimal equivalent of the rod diameter time 1000 for the amperage. 1/8" = 0.125" = 125A. this is a good starting point as others have said a lot of factors go into the welder settings. Using the same sticks on the same metal in our class you had to tweak each welder a little different. If you can find a class it will help. I first tried winging it and things did not work well. After about the first or second class I had a laundry list of things I did wrong.

 

[Shield Arc]

I know a guy who runs a small portable welding business. Like everything else in this country he is pretty slow. He placed an ad on Craig's list in the tool section. Welding lessons $25.00 an hour at your shop / garage with your equipment. $50.00 an hour his shop his equipment. He said his phone rang off the hook. Mostly guys wanting help with setting their machine, an out of position welding.

In my opinion nothing beats one on one help.