Welding 101

[barnett468]

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Here's one of my dusty relics I will probably Ebay now that this thread has got me thinking about welding.

HOBART BETA MIG II

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[onformula1]

I have the bottle and the wire, just haven't had the need yet. I've never MIG welded aluminum, only TIG. Where does it snap? I assumed the issue would be the wire distorting in the rollers and binding in the tip.

Right between the rollers and the liner.

[El Camexican]

Right between the rollers and the liner.

I was afraid that was what you were going to say

[onformula1]

I was afraid that was what you were going to say

I think the soft aluminum wire which is not coated hangs up, but the roller still likes to jam it in there until it breaks.

My buddy tried for a whole night with zero success, I have a 1/4 spool left if you want it.

No big deal even a Miller spoolmatic 2 gun welds aluminum like crap compared to a TIG.

[6speedthumper]

Biggest issue I had with the spool gun, is the aluminum wire getting jammed I the tip. I think the issue is that the wire expands with the heat, and get's stuck in the tip. The last little bit I used it (probably a good 3 years ago) I used a larger tip and it didn't jam.

[3 Wheel Drive]

I ended up buying the $420.00 Lincoln 140 Model welder, it came with a nice medium size bottle of gas, and the instruction book. He said you can download the DVD instructions from Lincolns website. He also gave me some scrap metal to practice on.

I'd like to install torsion boxes on my 70 Challenger then eventually replace my rusty trunk.

[El Camexican]

The good news is that if you ever get locked in your trunk you won't suffocate

[loganm]

You are a welder? Recommending a arc welder for a trike? 6011?

Well, TECHNICALLY, they're all arc welders. And if I were welding on a trike for something other than a field repair I would use 7018. Or mig. Learn to weld SMAW well and you'll be able to weld almost any process without much effort. Stick is more fun IMO.

The problem with welding aluminum without a spoolgun or push/pull setup is the wire plugs up in the liner due to the softer nature of aluminum.

But, I'm sure the millermatic 252 will handle my fabricating needs just fine.

[onformula1]

Well, I guess I disagree with you on many things on this thread and others and that is OK.

If I were to restore a 1944 Sherman Tank I would use a arc welder, or as you and many others refer to as a stick welder. I might even use 6011, but since I build trike, bikes, quads and hot rods I will continue to use my personal welder of choice.

BTW, arc/stick welding is easy, which is probably why they teach you it first at welding school, or at least where myself, friends and my brother who is a underwater welder went.

[loganm]

MIG and TIG are far easier IMO. Stick welding teaches you puddle control techniques that you just won't get with mig. The vast majority of MIG is in a factory environment in the flat and horizontal positions. MIG has far greater weld output, which is why it's favored in factory environments. IMO it's far easier to put down a 2F or 1G to specs with MIG than stick.

I'm a lot more impressed by an out of position 4G or 6G pipe weld than I am with some mig welds laid down in a factory. I picked up TIG pretty quick, but I don't think I could do some of the finer stainless pipe welds and stuff I've seen.

I really would like to find a job stick welding, simply because when it's 100F outside I like a breeze blowing on me, and when you're halfway through an important MIG weld in a factory environment and someone trips on your fan and blows all the shielding gas away it is no fun. On top of that, no heavy mig gun to hold all day, and spray arc transfer gets pretty damn hot when you're burning through a work order for some heavy parts.

Edit: I should clarify, stick takes more skill IMO, but it is definitely easier to set up than MIG and I would have no idea where to start setting up a miller dynasty or what have you for TIG.

[barnett468]

Stick welding teaches you puddle control techniques that you just won't get with mig.

The only thing stick welding teaches anyone is that they should have bought a mig or tig welder.

[loganm]

The only thing stick welding teaches anyone is that they should have bought a mig or tig welder.

Different applications for different processes. You wouldn't try to construct a skyscraper with MIG or TIG now would you.

[onformula1]

MIG and TIG are far easier IMO. Stick welding teaches you puddle control techniques that you just won't get with mig. The vast majority of MIG is in a factory environment in the flat and horizontal positions. MIG has far greater weld output, which is why it's favored in factory environments. IMO it's far easier to put down a 2F or 1G to specs with MIG than stick.

I'm a lot more impressed by an out of position 4G or 6G pipe weld than I am with some mig welds laid down in a factory. I picked up TIG pretty quick, but I don't think I could do some of the finer stainless pipe welds and stuff I've seen.

I really would like to find a job stick welding, simply because when it's 100F outside I like a breeze blowing on me, and when you're halfway through an important MIG weld in a factory environment and someone trips on your fan and blows all the shielding gas away it is no fun. On top of that, no heavy mig gun to hold all day, and spray arc transfer gets pretty damn hot when you're burning through a work order for some heavy parts.

Edit: I should clarify, stick takes more skill IMO, but it is definitely easier to set up than MIG and I would have no idea where to start setting up a miller dynasty or what have you for TIG.

Well, I am convinced since I like to do everything best way possible or the hardest way possible, I really need to order one of these- (The best part is it looks just like the welder my father had in the 70's)

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lincoln-E...1170/100041326

Guys, if this works out I may have a Century & Lincoln MIG, Miller TIG and a Union Carbide gas welder setup for sale.

[onformula1]

I ended up buying the $420.00 Lincoln 140 Model welder, it came with a nice medium size bottle of gas, and the instruction book. He said you can download the DVD instructions from Lincolns website. He also gave me some scrap metal to practice on.

I'd like to install torsion boxes on my 70 Challenger then eventually replace my rusty trunk.

Congrats on the welder, it is a nice unit.

[barnett468]

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Different applications for different processes. You wouldn't try to construct a skyscraper with MIG or TIG now would you.

Once again, you are attempting to sound like a know it all and "school" people you know absolutely nothing about . . I said I am not a great welder but I did not say I know nothing about welding, and based on your info, I started welding around 35 years before you did.

I would not build a skyscraper so your analogy doesn't apply to me, PLUS, they actually use MIG welders in most construction these days and have been for many years.

I suggest if you are going to attempt to make a point, you should study up a little bit BEFORE you try and make one, especially since your batting average here in the last 2 days has been pretty low.

Some people prefer to live in the stone age and use stone age tools, and others do not.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8p4tUj0EOGg
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