TheSamba.com :: View topic - Can you guys post some pics of your welds?

Sat May 14, 2005 3:12 pm

I know this may be kinda silly but It would be helpful to see some welds to use as a reference and welds look really cool when they are done right :D and do you guys use mig/wirefeed or tig, I am getting these large bulges with my mig but it may be that the wire I am using is to large. :D

Sat May 14, 2005 3:17 pm

:wink:

Sat May 14, 2005 3:21 pm

HamburgerBrad wrote:

:wink:

:-& [-X

Sat May 14, 2005 3:31 pm

in instances like this you can just use a liberal application of Duct tape :wink:

Ha...right back at ya Bradley.

SHMO

**Picture Removed by Moderator**

Sat May 14, 2005 3:54 pm

hehehehe :twisted:

Sat May 14, 2005 4:11 pm

Is that another photoshop mod like on, oh that was on shoptalk forum.

Sat May 14, 2005 5:03 pm

Dooooh,

you bastard, you removed my pic!......Hahaha

SHMO

Sat May 14, 2005 5:10 pm

the best one i could find from my galler. you can see a nice bead on the limit strap mount in this picture

Sat May 14, 2005 6:25 pm

I use a MIG. Large bulges in your welds may be from not enough heat. Looks of a weld are unimportant. Good penetration is the key. Work on the looks last. Don't grind the finished welds. It makes them weaker. Hit them with a wire brush and cover them up. Practice is the key to good welding.

Sat May 14, 2005 6:58 pm

I just got a sheilding gas setup for my mig welder and the difference between flux core and non fluxcore welding is like night and day.

I practiced today for about half hour just horsing around on some sheet metal and then trying to pry it apart to test the strength. I purchased an auto darkening helmet also and it is so much better than the standard one. Tomorrow I am going to practice on welding up tubing at angles.

What technique do you use with a mig welder? I tried going back and forth but I think I am using to big of wire because it turns into wide bead, I think moving up and down with the direction of the weld came out the best for me with penetration and accuracy.

Sat May 14, 2005 7:21 pm

what you need to do is pick up some books and read up on welding.
you should be able to find something at your local library that will work for you. if you want the good stuff look for Welding Principles and Application by Larry Jeffus, 5th edition. this is the text book that barstow community college uses for their welding program.
with the books to guide you and plenty of pratice you can learn to weld well enough to build a baja.
i reccomend taking the classes at your local community college if you can.

Sat May 14, 2005 8:40 pm

I have a couple books I have read through I just wanted some input from people that have been welding for a while. A buddy of mine is currently taking a class, I may go that route also. Thanks.

Sun May 15, 2005 1:21 am

ft_irwin_73baja wrote: i reccomend taking the classes at your local community college if you can.

Words of wisdom!!!!

Are you running one of those Lincoln migs you get at Home Depot? The 100 model I think? I ask this since you mentioned you upgraded to shielded gas. Did you get a tank of pure Argon or Argon/CO2?

Personally I find wire size doesn’t matter for looks. It matters on how thick the material you’re using. .040 isn’t what you would use on 18ga. sheetmetal.

Do you have it dialed in for the thickness of metal you’re welding? Some times what it tells you in the manual isn’t always what the metal wants. If you’re practicing on the same piece of steel are you letting in cool down between welds? Are you dousing it with water to cool and not drying it? Is there crap like oil still on the metal? Etc. There are a lot of factors (besides just good technique) for getting good welds. (please don’t tell me you trying this on galvanized?)

Take a class at PCC (or where ever offers one) and start with Oxy/Act. That will teach you how to lay a good weld. Then move on to stick, Mig, Tig. Get those basics hammered down first.

Sun May 15, 2005 8:31 am

Hobart 135, not from home depot

Argon/Co2 from airgas on Buena Vista, just off the 210 and Duarte Rd.
Thats what they said I should use.

I am using .030 because I knew I would be doing around 1/8 inch thick sheet metal.

I have it dialed in exactly how the manual says for the wire size, gas and metal thickness I am using and I do play around with the wire speed and voltage when the manual`s settings dont seem to work.

Yea, I am letting the metal cool, I dont douse it with water at all. No, no oil or anything like that, There is rust but I completely grind it all off until there it is shiny steel. No I dont weld galvanized, I have read that it puts off toxic fumes and dont want to get sick.

Sun May 15, 2005 8:54 am

The gas and wire size you are using is correct. All I can say is keep practicing. NEVER douse your welds with water. Makes them brittle and weak!

Sun May 15, 2005 9:38 am

Pratice makes perfect. I have days where it looks like I have been welding for years and I have days where it looks like I just picked up the welding gun!! :shock: (the later usually being the case :roll: )
Play with the wire speed a little as that will increase the output a little bit. On a 110v machine make sure the circuit (plug on the wall) is not operating anything else. Also make sure to use a heavyduty extension cord if you have to us one. Keep it a short as possible. At my old house the electric box was on the garage wall so my dad ran a separate plug just for my Miller 135. I made my own heavy extension cord as well. :shock: The difference in power output was night and day. The welder would not sputter out anymore after that. Now days, life is good as I have a Miller 210 mig that is 220v!! 8) I still have the little Miller, I am going to buy a generator so I use it in the desert! (someday :roll: ) Good luck and keep at it