Welding FAQ

[Rockyroad]

MD Nick-

I agree you did the right thing buying the AC/DC. I did the same thing last year. Bought the Lincoln AC/DC from my local supplier. Cost about $400. The AC only was not that much less.

I am certainly no expert on welding. I am just learning. I am at that stage that I am picking up scrap, cutting it up with my new 14" chop saw and then welding it back together again.

The DC negative is nice. There is a post somewhere around here from Wroughtn Harv who talks about this in detail and the use of 5P+ rods on DC-. I plan to pick up a box today and give them a try this weekend. It might be my imagination,but the arc seems to sound smoother and "feel" smoother on DC than on AC. But, hey, I'm still in the learning stage.

Next things I have to pick up are a variable shade helmut and a set of torches. I have saved almost enough for the torches.

Good luck with your new Linc AC/DC when you get it!

 

[RJohnson]

Rockyroad
The Lincoln 5P+ electrode is made to only run in reverse polarity (DC+) and it is not made to run in straight polarity (DC-). DC- places most of the heat on the electrode and this gives you less penetration into the work piece. I don't want to talk for W-Harv but I believe he did state that he was using reverse polarity (DC+). Most electrodes are made to run either DC+ or AC, there are some applications where DC- may be used but usually they are for sheet metal applications. Most DC welding is done in reverse polarity (DC+).
Whatever electrode you purchase be sure and pick up a datasheet from your supplier that gives you the operating parameters of that particular electrode. All things being equal, DC+ will give you more penetration into the work piece than AC and AC will give you more than DC-.
In stick welding the electrode manufacture makes the flux coating to be compatible with the type of current you will be using. Using the wrong polarity will affect the strength and integrity of your completed weld. So be safe and check it out before you weld. And enjoy welding, it is alot of fun.

Randy

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I have a Miller 225 A/C unit, and a Miller 130 xp mig. The mig welder seems to work best on steel that is 1/16 inch or less. The stick seems more suited to thicker metal (up to about 1/4 inch). I can stick pieces together, but I'm really no welding professional. I think the mig is definitely easier for a beginner, but if you learn how to use a stick first you will be a much better welder in general.

 

[Rockyroad]

RJohnson -

Thanks for clearing that up! I don't know where I got the idea that DC- was reverse polarity. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to buy 5P+ rods for this weekend to try. This is what is so great about TBN....a great place to learn and get advice from people who have experience. Saves lots of time on the learning curve. Thanks again!

 

[RJohnson]

Rockyroad
You are most certainly welcome, it is one of the things I had trouble with when first exposed to welding. I just didn't want you to set your machine and have a difficult time of welding because the electrode was not made for the polarity you have set.

Randy

 

[EdKing]

Well, I went and bit the bullet yesterday. Me and the wife went down to TSC and I was looking at the welding stuff. We decided to apply for a TSC card, so we got a 10% discount. I picked up a Hobart Stickmate LX AC weldor, $199 before the 10% discount. I just got the 220v line ran out to my shed, so I going out to try it out.

 

[RJohnson]

ED
I guess you know that you have just taken the first step. You realize that you can get one of those fancy autodarking hoods that cost more than your welding machine/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif. Now you need to acquire all of the rest of the stuff you need. W-Harv had a post with many of the tools need to work "iron". It can be a most enjoyable hobby but it is a dangerous one also. I would encourage anyone that is a newbie to welding to take some courses from their local junior college and at least get exposed to the safety aspects of welding. Not trying to scare you but have fun and be safe. Congradulations on the new welding machine, I am sure it will give many years of service.

Randy

 

[EdKing]

Randy
Actually, it is about the 4th step for me. My first was a set of oxy/propane torches I got at an auction for $60. Then I got a small Licoln MIG weldor. Then, of course, came the chopsaw, and assorted clamps, wire brushes, chipping hammer, gloves, shirt, etc. I just purchased an auto-darkening helmet for $150, boy, it sure makes things easier. I was starting to get into welding heavier steel, and was pushing the MIG to its limits, so I had been contemplating a "buzz-box" for a while now. It was the 10% discount that pushed me over the edge. I got to play with it for a while today, similar to my MIG, but its gonna take a lot more practice to get the nice smooth welds I get with the MIG. I guess I have to figure out the different rods, I have 6011's and 6013's righty now, as well as the different amperage settings for what I am trying to weld. I think have the fun of doing something is learning the little tricks to get to where you want to be.

 

[MDNick]

I also got my new welder home. Linc Elec AC/DC buzz box. The 225/125 model. $400, fairly decent price for the AC/DC box. Also picked up an auto-darkening hood. Huge window, about 2.5x4. $270. They had the Jackson Journeyman but I wanted the bigger window. This is a Huntsman product. Jackson owns Huntsman. Hopefully they are a decent product as well. It appears to work, stopped by the welding shop at work (I work on a military base), guy struck up a tig machine and it auto-darkened. Guy at the welding shop gave me some rod to play with. They have about every size and style imaginable, so he said to play with their assortment before I bought some. The folks at the welding supply store also threw in a chipping hammer. Pretty cool. I know they aren't that expensive, but it was a nice touch. This coming weekend I'll get the socket connected to electric and make sparks. Immediate construction plan is a forklift attachment for the front of the tractor. Need it to help build my garage and for access to the 2nd story when construction is complete. But that is another thread. It'll be coming shortly, I hope.

Nick

 

[Rockyroad]

R Johnson-

When I went home I checked my welder. It was set on DC+ from the last time I used it. (I must have read the manual).
I was using 6011 on reverse polarity and it seemed to work well. I must have been having a "senior moment" when I got it in my head DC- was reverse. Then I started thinking that the plus sign on 5P+ is an indicator of reverse polarity. Duh!

Anyways, I am having fun trying to learn how to weld. What I need is more time to practice. Problem is we are having a drought here in New England and I am spending every evening out watering my vegetables to keep the garden alive. The soil is like talcum powder, and I have never seen such a bad year for Colorado Potato beetles. They must like dry, hot weather.

I will try some of those 5P+ rods real soon.