My First Stick Welding Project

[BeezFun]

The only real drawback to 7018 welding is the re-start which is a bit hard to break off the slag from the end but the smooth welding, less sparking is more than offset to the hard starting.

I use old leather gloves to wipe the tip off 7018 when it's still hot, gives a nice clean exposure to the core without taking off too much of the flux like breaking it does. I agree 7018 is really easy to use.

 

[Billrog]

I'm not a real welder but 7018 is the rod I use most. Today a broke the end off a hydraulic cylinder on my back blade while snow plowing. I decided you use some Hobart 6011 for the penetration it worked well but sure is more difficult for me to make a nice bead with all the splattering. I'll see in the next wk. how it holds up. I did the last one on a cylinder with 7018 and it's still going today after 15 years.

 

[ovrszd]

Something besides the grounded work table. The concrete floor works good.

Good point. Especially a second after you remove the helmet.

 

[Gordon Gould]

Thanks for all the helpful ideas on using the shop vac; like removing the filter and adding water or a water trap.

Using locking casters on the non-swivel end of my table would be an improvement. A couple times I have wished I had them. I am going to add some kind of brake in the near future.

On the 7018 - I have heard that using a pair of diagonal cutters to nip the flux off to restart a rod is an easy way to go.

gg

 

[groundcover]

Or scratch the 7018 on a flat file

 

[4570Man]

Good point. Especially a second after you remove the helmet.

I have flashed myself more than once doing this. I have also had things go bad when accidentally laid rod down on the table.

 

[GoatDriver]

Or scratch the 7018 on a flat file

x2 on the file...or on concrete or another piece of metal that is not grounded

 

[joefromga]

Here is a different idea. Take a 5 gal bucket, drill 2 holes in the top, in one put a piece of PVC the same size as your hose, long enough to get 1" off of the bottom of the bucket. In the other, just a threaded PVC coupler.
Put 2-3" of water in the bucket, hook the vacuum to the coupler and the hose coming from the vent hood to the long pipe.
Then the air coming from the fume hood has to go through the water to get into the vacuum.
That way anything hot will end up in the water, not in your shop vac.
It also works well when vacuuming up drywall dust.

I can snap a picture later if that would be clearer.

Aaron Z

You just described a water bong.

 

[ovrszd]

You just described a water bong.

Yes he did. Now how would you know that???

 

[dragoneggs]

Yes he did. Now how would you know that???

Yeah and a little bigger than what I remember... I mean... was told about. :laughing: