Please scrutinize my welds.

[pickeringchris]

I really have my eye on a couple Lincoln models. 3350 and the one below it. They look awesome. I gotta get me one. I noticed they have a couple different ones. One has a range of 6-13. Some have inside controls, some outside. Like everything now a days, way too many options.
To be honest when welding with # 11 I can barely see the puddle. I bet 10 or even 9 will make the world of difference.

 

[Shield Arc]

So if I get one of those $300.00 welding helmets will it make me a better weldor?

 

[pickeringchris]

So if I get one of those $300.00 welding helmets will it make me a better weldor?

I would think if it improves your visibility it has to help. That unless you have been doing it for so long you can do it with your eyes shut.

 

[Shield Arc]

Up until last summer I was welding by braille, after having both eyes operated on now I can see! :thumbsup:

 

[deereman75]

I really have my eye on a couple Lincoln models. 3350 and the one below it. They look awesome. I gotta get me one. I noticed they have a couple different ones. One has a range of 6-13. Some have inside controls, some outside. Like everything now a days, way too many options.
To be honest when welding with # 11 I can barely see the puddle. I bet 10 or even 9 will make the world of difference.

Mine is almost identical to the viking 1840, just a bit differnt shell. I have to say that for me the 3350 isnt worth it. I have used the fixed shade large lens helmets before, and they were no better then a normal lens. Also the inside controls look to be more of a pain then the outside ones.

 

[weldermike]

So if I get one of those $300.00 welding helmets will it make me a better weldor?

I know your a welder bud, so not meant for you shield arc. I personally dont care for them, I cut my teeth with old style flip type masks and stuff, and alot of this new tech stuff gives alot of people a false reality of what is involved as a welder, they are good for bench work in my opinion and thats it! They will actually slow you down in the long run if you want to learn to be an all round iron worker. There is a time and a place for them to make your projects easier, ive had guys that only learned to weld with them, and are useless in real life job situations.

 

[Shield Arc]

Yeah I was trying to draw these kids into something, but you beat me to it!:laughing:
I'll stick with my old school hood. I did buy a fixed shade auto lens awhile back, and just today this new Miller fixed shade came, I'll give it a go tomorrow morning. The first auto lens only had one sensor, so I'd get flashed when moving my head around something, this Miller lens has two sensors, hopefully it will be better.

 

[Tollster]

Over all I would say he is correct as you have cold laps the length of the weld, this typically means poor penetration as well. Also keep an eye on your start stop points as puddling (Craters) can lead to crater cracks which will resemble a star like pattern in the middle of the puddle. Look over your draw bar ring as I cannot clearly resolve it very well without an actual eye on the item, but if your cold and lack sufficent penetration, you will typical bridge the root,this will be evidient looking at the end of the weld (cross sectional).

Think of a weld as something you want to be very uniform on the surface, small ripples are fine providing they are tight. What happens is tensel stresses run up and down the length of the weld,and if you have abrupt changes, those stresses tend to focus on that point, and present a weak point in the weld. Also be sure to keep arc strikes, and spatter off the weld and out side the heat affected zone when you clean it up as these will also direct tensel stresses to those areas, be carefull when using power tools such as right angle grinders and such as well as any notches will do the same. Typically is we can catch a finger nail on it (1/32") it rejectable, this mostly applies to undercut though.
It seems as if their are many here more knowledgable on performing the welding process than me as I am the guy many welders hate....

A Visual, Magnetic particle, dye penetrant and ultrasonic, ASME certified Inspector.

Stay at it...rust never sleeps.

 

[Shield Arc]

Typically is we can catch a finger nail on it (1/32") it rejectable, this mostly applies to undercut though.

WOW, been a while since I heard that! :thumbsup:

 

[pickeringchris]

Over all I would say he is correct as you have cold laps the length of the weld, this typically means poor penetration as well. Also keep an eye on your start stop points as puddling (Craters) can lead to crater cracks which will resemble a star like pattern in the middle of the puddle. Look over your draw bar ring as I cannot clearly resolve it very well without an actual eye on the item, but if your cold and lack sufficent penetration, you will typical bridge the root,this will be evidient looking at the end of the weld (cross sectional).

Think of a weld as something you want to be very uniform on the surface, small ripples are fine providing they are tight. What happens is tensel stresses run up and down the length of the weld,and if you have abrupt changes, those stresses tend to focus on that point, and present a weak point in the weld. Also be sure to keep arc strikes, and spatter off the weld and out side the heat affected zone when you clean it up as these will also direct tensel stresses to those areas, be carefull when using power tools such as right angle grinders and such as well as any notches will do the same. Typically is we can catch a finger nail on it (1/32") it rejectable, this mostly applies to undercut though.
It seems as if their are many here more knowledgable on performing the welding process than me as I am the guy many welders hate....

A Visual, Magnetic particle, dye penetrant and ultrasonic, ASME certified Inspector.

Stay at it...rust never sleeps.

Most of this is over my head but I certainly appreciate it. I have no plans of becoming a welder but I do want to be good at it and make safe welds for my personal use. I have been searching for a local course or even one on one lessons from a pro.

I'm gonna pull a big tree root out with that draw bar. Will let you guys know if the weld holds.