Fun and games welding sheet metal with an arc welder - learning to weld - Page 5 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Stretch · #61 04-28-2013, 10:39 AM

Here's a picture of what hurt my foot =>

It was my practice bits of scrap.

I think it is quite a good example of how much practice I needed to get to a stage where I could "make it stick" with a stick!

There's not that much there really - so if anyone is thinking "Oh it would take too long" or "I'd never have the patience" I hope this encourages you to think again; and perhaps think that welding with a MIG would go a lot quicker!

If you ever wanted to teach yourself to weld - now is the time - go and give it a go.

jon2u15 · #62 03-26-2014, 08:48 AM

1) slow Down
2) keep a steady pace
3) you got to make like a C shape or do a zig-zag motion to get good weld.

But if it was your first time, it's not bad!

jon2u15 · #63 03-26-2014, 08:48 AM

1) slow Down
2) keep a steady pace
3) you got to make like a C shape or do a zig-zag motion to get good weld.

But if it was your first time, it's not bad!

Stretch · #64 03-26-2014, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jon2u15

1) slow Down
2) keep a steady pace
3) you got to make like a C shape or do a zig-zag motion to get good weld.

But if it was your first time, it's not bad!

Thanks - for arc welding on 0.8mm steel with a 1.6mm electrode you have to practice to find a speed that doesn't make holes!

I've actually been teaching myself TIG welding since I managed to find a relatively cheap DC welder on ebay. (If I had the dosh for a Miller or something posher I'd have bought it - but I don't - so it is a nondescript box from China)

TIG welding is a different although similar experience. In music terms arc welding / stick welding thin sheet metal is a little bit thrash metal whereas a 1.0mm tungsten electrode and some shielding argon turns the experience into cheesy easy listening elevator music! There is so much time to see what is actually going on...

...I might upload a few TIG welding pictures if you (all) want.

Mike D · #65 04-08-2014, 09:04 AM

Before Stretch learned the art of stick welding.

Fun and games welding sheet metal with an arc welder - learning to weld-stretch.jpg

Stretch · #66 04-08-2014, 09:54 AM

Mike back! Great stuff - how's the course going?

By the way the monkey does have a gas welding kit now too. It has turned into a bit of an obsession. Before you know it I'll be buying a MIG as well

Mike D · #67 04-08-2014, 11:48 PM

School is kicking my butt. It's been a looong time since I used a lot of those brain cells I've been needing to access.

Between trying to get the usual early spring yard/ house maintenance stuff and school I haven't had a chance to do much to the Benzi. Haven't had to as a matter of fact.

The wife's coupe` is sitting in my work space, my coupe` sits (I can never find that stinkin' accent grave' when I need it!) 90% of the time and whenever we go anywhere I use the W126.

Maybe during the summer break....

I notice you've been slacking off a bit also. Weather putting a crimp in your activities?

Stretch · #68 04-09-2014, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike D

School is kicking my butt. It's been a looong time since I used a lot of those brain cells I've been needing to access.

Between trying to get the usual early spring yard/ house maintenance stuff and school I haven't had a chance to do much to the Benzi. Haven't had to as a matter of fact.

The wife's coupe` is sitting in my work space, my coupe` sits (I can never find that stinkin' accent grave' when I need it!) 90% of the time and whenever we go anywhere I use the W126.

Maybe during the summer break....

I notice you've been slacking off a bit also. Weather putting a crimp in your activities?

I went back to school at an advanced age too. It does take some getting used to again but I found it was good to take a break and actually look at what you are achieving. Pat yourself on the back once in a while - for me it was definitely more of a stress management exercise, not only because if you are older and wiser you feel you need to make school "pay" but also there's a certain amount of pressure 'cos you do know better! I'm convinced that a large part of the reason why the young 'uns do so well is because sometimes they just don't give a flying **** - they are relaxed - learning is easier if you are not stressed...

...any that lecture's now over!

Divorce is crimping activities over here. It'll come good in the end but at the moment I can only do little bits. I must actually get on with a little bit of welding on the W201. I'll bung up some pictures if it works out. If I just make holes you'll not hear from me again.

190E 2.3 rur rur rur · #69 04-13-2014, 10:45 AM

stretch, i wanted to offer something i learned. they have a copper plate
that's on a handle you may want to back the material with when accessible. they are at harbor freight where i live.

Stretch · #70 04-13-2014, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 190E 2.3 rur rur rur

stretch, i wanted to offer something i learned. they have a copper plate
that's on a handle you may want to back the material with when accessible. they are at harbor freight where i live.

That works really well doesn't it? I've been fooling about with lumps of copper / brass too. The dissimilar metal sucks away the heat but it doesn't stick to the steel.

Here's a link to the tool (for others)

Welding Spoon

Stretch · #71 05-18-2014, 01:58 AM

It has been said here and other places before but I'm still shocked at the effect heat has on rust.

Here's an example.

Angle grinder and wire brush attachment gets this far

After a bit more cleaning this is the kind of metal that many people start to treat with a rust treatment. Put POR15 on it and cover it over...

...for certain parts of a car I don't think this is safe. Just look what happens when you apply a little bit of low amp argon gas shielded heat =>

The rusty bit next to the big hole goes

There is no strength in metal that has been rusted.

I used to think that if metal can withstand hard pressure from an angle grinder and a wire brush spinning at 10,000 rpm it is strong enough. I now think if it can not hold heat and can not be welded upon it is worthless.

Stretch · #72 05-18-2014, 02:05 AM

Oh yeah and I will also say - welding with a shielded gas technique outside in the wind is a pain in the arse!

My TIG welder does make much nicer looking welds on perfectly clean virginal metal but in the real world on a rusty Mercedes welding outside in the wind my arc welder does a better job (so long as you don't blow a hole!) on thicker metal / metal which allows use of a heat sink on the underside. Welding the boxed in sections on a W201 from the outside has meant I really needed to use the TIG welder though - this is a shame 'cos the windy conditions are not ideal...

...so I don't care what you all say I still love my MMA!

Stretch · #73 12-04-2014, 07:11 AM

The place where I do voluntary work needed a pipe shortening and re-welding. I got ambushed - "Oh you can weld can't you"?

Er ummm er...

...well I suppose I can give it a go...

...what a difference 4mm thick steel pipe is compared with 0.8mm thick sheet!

Cut the pipe with a rather rough V shaped trough - 3.2mm welding rod (all they had) and away I went. Great fun. Stick welding has a certain pureness and simplicity that I find really pleasurable. So much nicer than cocking about with TIG and shielding gases...

Lucas · #74 12-04-2014, 09:08 AM

Seems like the place to say it, never have a lighter in your pocket while welding!

I don't know tig, but with arc I don't use shielding gas outside. I switch to flux wire with shielding has built in.

Arc welding is underrated. When you get into the big stuff it's necessary. And all the rod choices are interesting. Some for upside down. Some vertical. Or flat. And metal types and thickness. I always kept 6011 handy for my dad, blind mans rod.

When I would get going welding 1" thick steel together, and the amperage cranked up to the roof, I would almost pee my pants. It's intense how much action is happening and how loud and hot the weld is.

I've been welderless and about to pick up a mig. I'm excited. Tig would be awesome, maybe one day. I've never even tried it. A buddy just fixed a dirtbike for me with tig, and it turned out sssoooo clean.

Stretch · #75 12-04-2014, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucas

...
Arc welding is underrated. When you get into the big stuff it's necessary. And all the rod choices are interesting. Some for upside down. Some vertical. Or flat. And metal types and thickness. I always kept 6011 handy for my dad, blind mans rod.
...

Before the rise of MIG (fruit of the devil?) there were many more rods available for the home mechanic. I bought some 1mm diameter ones about 25 years ago that I have not been able to find since. I've got a few left and they are ideal for thin sheet.

In a way arc welding has been revitalised with the gas-less MIG machines but I haven't tried them on thin sheet yet. I was thinking of buying a roll of that crap and seeing if I can use it with the MMA setting and the rod holder on my TIG amplifier.

Ideally I'd like to make my own coating for rods and then make my own. For welding outside MMA / stick / arc welding rules.