pennsylvaniaboy
1/2 ton status
if your bumper angles at all tack it first before you weld it tight all mine had angles that were set braced then welded then braces taken out. trust me they warp even with 1/4" thickness
CK5
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Beignner welding
- Thread starter Xtremegmc80
- Start date
Xtremegmc80
1/2 ton status
thanks for the warning. ill check that out. thanks again
Xtremegmc80
1/2 ton status
heres my before welding from 2 days ago. i took a new pic today, the bottom one is after.. hows it look? better?? new wires. its a .040 and same mig since i didnt unburied the stick one.
The after is definitely better. I still say you gotta CLEAN those surfaces ... like 1/2", an inch on each side. Gives you a chance to bevel the edges too.
You will not *believe* how much better the penetration is on nice ground clean metal. And again, grind till you get shiny metal where you're gonna put the ground clamp.
Dead giveaway ... for cosmetic purposes, grind down the welds you have ... then try and pry the metal apart. If it gives AT ALL, you don't have enough penetration. I mean pry on it with a 4' prybar or use a 20# sledge... bumpers are SAFETY equipment, ya know... not a place to screw around.
Anyway, don't mean to be a spoilsport; it's great you're trying to DIY and as you're finding experience improves the product ... practice practice practice.
When I started I was trying to write my name into a piece of 1/4" scrap... first pass looked like a 3-year old's scribble, and I could knock it off with a screwdriver. Took me several tries, but eventually it's nice and even handwriting, and it's penetrated into the metal enough that I'd hafta grind it smooth it to get it out again.
Hope this is constructive!
-- A
You will not *believe* how much better the penetration is on nice ground clean metal. And again, grind till you get shiny metal where you're gonna put the ground clamp.
Dead giveaway ... for cosmetic purposes, grind down the welds you have ... then try and pry the metal apart. If it gives AT ALL, you don't have enough penetration. I mean pry on it with a 4' prybar or use a 20# sledge... bumpers are SAFETY equipment, ya know... not a place to screw around.
Anyway, don't mean to be a spoilsport; it's great you're trying to DIY and as you're finding experience improves the product ... practice practice practice.
When I started I was trying to write my name into a piece of 1/4" scrap... first pass looked like a 3-year old's scribble, and I could knock it off with a screwdriver. Took me several tries, but eventually it's nice and even handwriting, and it's penetrated into the metal enough that I'd hafta grind it smooth it to get it out again.
Hope this is constructive!
-- A
Xtremegmc80
1/2 ton status
believe it im gonna grind it smooth. i wanted to grind it before welding it but my dad still hasnt picked up my grinder so i had nothing to use, so i used wire brush and cut off wheel to clean it up the best i can. u can see it on second pic. i allready pound it nothing moved and its very solid. so ill try again after i get the grinder, and take the bumper off to weld the back side. trust me im gonna clean it up good. and like u say practice. its all im doing now!The after is definitely better. I still say you gotta CLEAN those surfaces ... like 1/2", an inch on each side. Gives you a chance to bevel the edges too.
You will not *believe* how much better the penetration is on nice ground clean metal. And again, grind till you get shiny metal where you're gonna put the ground clamp.
Dead giveaway ... for cosmetic purposes, grind down the welds you have ... then try and pry the metal apart. If it gives AT ALL, you don't have enough penetration. I mean pry on it with a 4' prybar or use a 20# sledge... bumpers are SAFETY equipment, ya know... not a place to screw around.
Anyway, don't mean to be a spoilsport; it's great you're trying to DIY and as you're finding experience improves the product ... practice practice practice.
When I started I was trying to write my name into a piece of 1/4" scrap... first pass looked like a 3-year old's scribble, and I could knock it off with a screwdriver. Took me several tries, but eventually it's nice and even handwriting, and it's penetrated into the metal enough that I'd hafta grind it smooth it to get it out again.
Hope this is constructive!
-- A
blazin_blazer
1/2 ton status
defintly better...u see in your 1st pic how theres unwelded places thru-out its length...more than likely where you puddled the slag....like i said b4...#1 newb welding mistake i see is they can't tell molten steel puddle from puddle of slag...looks like you've figured out the difference b/c 2nd is good solid weld and alot more consistant! good job 4 just a few days difference!
supersize75k5
OrganDonorRacing.com
im no know it all on welding,
just a few things,
grab that arc welder, I learned on one when i was 16 and it made mig easier
2nd thing is, on your welder, or under the lid there is almost always a wire feed speed and heat rec. for the size metal your working with, that arc wil brurn the metal your using with ease.
3rd..take that bumper and set it on a bench, and grind it/clean it, if your waiting on a grinder or dont have one, they have the cheapy at harbor fright for under 10 bucks. walmark has a failry decent black and decket for 30.00 and a beter one the firestick for 40 or more. I really like the balance of the firestick one and miss mine
oh..hold your welding hand at the wrist, or set your welding hand on top of your other wrist, it helps a ton with control and this also is where havin it on a bench will save you and keep your welds straight. and take your time and get comfy, i rushed alot in the past and thank my stars I never had to regret it the hard way..
you will have some better luck with the arc, ask your dad to show you how to use it and you might be very surprised how much you like it. if you dont stab your rod at it and follow the chart you should get pretty close. get some 7018 rod and go to town!
as mentioned, try the "c" or "u" method, if you can get some heat you can also stack dimes, by that i mean keep a constant circle going.
just a few things,
grab that arc welder, I learned on one when i was 16 and it made mig easier
2nd thing is, on your welder, or under the lid there is almost always a wire feed speed and heat rec. for the size metal your working with, that arc wil brurn the metal your using with ease.
3rd..take that bumper and set it on a bench, and grind it/clean it, if your waiting on a grinder or dont have one, they have the cheapy at harbor fright for under 10 bucks. walmark has a failry decent black and decket for 30.00 and a beter one the firestick for 40 or more. I really like the balance of the firestick one and miss mine
oh..hold your welding hand at the wrist, or set your welding hand on top of your other wrist, it helps a ton with control and this also is where havin it on a bench will save you and keep your welds straight. and take your time and get comfy, i rushed alot in the past and thank my stars I never had to regret it the hard way..
you will have some better luck with the arc, ask your dad to show you how to use it and you might be very surprised how much you like it. if you dont stab your rod at it and follow the chart you should get pretty close. get some 7018 rod and go to town!
as mentioned, try the "c" or "u" method, if you can get some heat you can also stack dimes, by that i mean keep a constant circle going.
