Newbie welding questions
- Thread starter RedRock
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weldermike
Platinum Member
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If budget allows you may want to look into a bigger machine. Its a little on the light side of what your trying to get out of it.
OP
RedRock
Silver Member
I completely understand on all points and suggestions, it's doing the job right now with the existing gennie while I learn on this cattle pen, keeping my cost down in the process. Must be hard for you pros to look at such a crappy job I've done, but as I get better I'm sure I'll give/sell this cheapo welder to someone when I can afford to invest more. Thanks for all the tips guys, it helps.
Shield Arc
Super Member
Well I'm not a pro, but don't kid your self, I've made my share of crappy welds!
Honestly with that flux core, or anything that produces slag you need to run up hill! Not saying it can not be run down hill, but you're not ready for that yet. I can run 7018 down hill and make it look great, but I'm pretty sure I've burned a few more rods than you have. You will also get more penetration running up hill with that under powered welder.
bake321
Silver Member
I built a lot of horse pens/corrals in Arizona with a 110v Lincoln wire flux core welder. I also welded up shades with 3 inch stock iron. Some of us have to make do with what we can afford.
Cary
Cary
weldermike
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bake321 said:
Well Arizona is a different story for the 110 machines. All your steel is pre heated!
bake321
Silver Member
There were days where it sure felt like it. I would start at three in the am with lights to work by. When you would straiten up from a weld and see stars floating around, you knew it was time to quit.
weldermike
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I hear ya bro, I used to have a five mile stretch on the railroad where I was the only welder. It covered 2bridges, north channel and south channel in NY. The summers were unbearable and the winters were brutal. Now I work in a huge shop through the boilermakers union, but when the weathers nice, I do miss the fresh air.
bake321
Silver Member
Spent six years as a Signalman for the C&O, late seventies early eighties. in Michgan. In 1982 a girlfriend asked me to move to Arizona. After six winters up poles and digging ditch, my only question was is it warm there? Away I went. Bonded a lot of track.Those Cadwelds were fun to shoot when it was wet out.
OP
RedRock
Silver Member
Honestly with that flux core, or anything that produces slag you need to run up hill! ..... You will also get more penetration running up hill with that under powered welder.
I'll try this weekend, and since I'm a total newb at this...when you say run uphill, what is the best position for the welding tip? Should I be around a 45 degree angle pushing the pool from the bottom of the pipe as I work up or more of a follow me pulling path as I work my way up?
