Welding

[orezok]

When I had my steel building put up, I hired 2 guys that worked for a steel fabricator to do it. They had to do some welding on the beams because the factory forgot to add some stiffeners.

They brought out this little 80 amp 110 welder to weld on these 5/16 plates. I looked at it and thought "well this ought to be interesting". When they finished welding I looked at the welds, and you couldn't tell them from the factory robotic welds. They were perfect and well penetrated.

That's when I realized that it's the guy behind the gun, not the equipment that makes the difference.

Course if that's all you do 8 hours a day...

 

[Iplayfarmer]

When I had my steel building put up, I hired 2 guys that worked for a steel fabricator to do it. They had to do some welding on the beams because the factory forgot to add some stiffeners.

They brought out this little 80 amp 110 welder to weld on these 5/16 plates. I looked at it and thought "well this ought to be interesting". When they finished welding I looked at the welds, and you couldn't tell them from the factory robotic welds. They were perfect and well penetrated.

That's when I realized that it's the guy behind the gun, not the equipment that makes the difference.

Course if that's all you do 8 hours a day...

I think I've mentioned this before, but I work in a food plant; and our welds have to be food grade. They have to be smooth and even with the surface to make them easy to keep clean. Most of our equipment is stainless steel too. The guys that weld in our plant make it look like any child could do it. They use a little 110v Tig welder due to power availability, but their welds are strong and perfect. It's the guy behind the gun.

 

[sizzami]

I seem to be less than clear Stick welding is great for You alot of people who cant learn other processes love stick

 

[sizzami]

oh yeah I forgot to say that any body who has ever built anything with metal knows welding is about 20 percent of it

 

[Iplayfarmer]

oh yeah I forgot to say that any body who has ever built anything with metal knows welding is about 20 percent of it

That is true.

I've learned the hard way that no amount of welding skill will make up for poor fit.

 

[bobodu]

That is true.

I've learned the hard way that no amount of welding skill will make up for poor fit.

That's why God made 5/32 rod.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

That's why God made 5/32 rod.

I actually got me some 1/16" rod. I haven't done much with it yet, but I'm planning on being able to lay down a lot of material without burning through anything.

I'm actually going to try and weld a tin can just to say I did it.

I'm still going to need a good fit, though.

 

[bobodu]

I keep a couple of pounds of 1/16" 6013 on hand because I like it for body panels and such.

 

[Baby Grand]

I actually got me some 1/16" rod. I haven't done much with it yet, but I'm planning on being able to lay down a lot of material without burning through anything.

I've recently discovered the 1/16" 6013 rod, too. Got some at HF - love the stuff. Used it to repair an old iron rake (you remember those ... wooden handle, no tph?). Made a surprisingly neat repair to the cracked 5/16" diam rods connecting the rake tines to the handle's ferrule in just a jiffy. Ran it at 30 amps.

-Jim

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I've recently discovered the 1/16" 6013 rod, too. Got some at HF - love the stuff. Used it to repair an old iron rake (you remember those ... wooden handle, no tph?). Made a surprisingly neat repair to the cracked 5/16" diam rods connecting the rake tines to the handle's ferrule in just a jiffy. Ran it at 30 amps.

-Jim

You mean HF has the stuff??? I hunted through three different suppliers and finally special ordered some through Fastenal. All this time my favorite disposable tool outlet had it. I should know to look in the easy places first.