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CHEAP welder. - now with welding advice!

ashman said:
good tips and good links all around. thanks a ton guys! :thumb:


ok, cool. on a few practice passes I did look at the back side of the ones I thought felt good and that is pretty much what I saw. sweet!

ah. didn't know that either. I've been pulling. I'll try pushing and see how it goes.
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I used to pull all the time, then my old man's friend who has been burning wire for 20 or more years came by and said you weld very well for doing it all wrong.

since then I always push.
 
63 Chevy ll is correct if it makes slag, drag. Since you are using MIG with gas you can angle the gin away from puddle and "push" the bead.

Also if you come to a corner (I.e. square tube) I like to whip the tip back over the bead to give a cleaner end. Also don't stop at a tack weld, take the bead over it so it doesn't look like a stop start or two different beads next to each other. The whip back thing helps to not make porcupines.

This is just my experience and tips I have learned over the years. I average 10 hrs a week welding and it helps to find your rhythm and what beads you find to be acceptable. Penetration is the most important thing, but the fact you do it yourself does leave your finger print on it.
 
right on. I'll practice that whip back when I get a chance.

keep the advice coming guys!
 
You pickup a helmet/gloves?

Can't go wrong with a cheap Harbor Freight Autodim for the first couple yrs
 
yeah, i got the auto dim from HF. was surprised how well it worked honestly. I've never used an auto dim before, so it felt like magic to me. lol

haven't picked up gloves yet, just been using some leather work gloves. I need to get some real ones soon though.
 
For MIG welding I wear a simple leather palm nylon back (think mechanics style) when I am out of position. But for flat or workbench I only put them on about 80% of the time. It's all about feel.
 
Mine showed up yesterday, but i had a date. Getting fired up tonight, hope i remember how to weld 1/2 way decent, need to fix my steering shaft.
 
Ive always pulled with my welder and made good welds until I saw the posts about pushing. Now my weld quality greatly improved, good advice.

Clean metal is very important as well. I used to be horrible about cleaning my metal before welding. I quickly figured out how much better it welds when its clean.
 
big dan said:
Ive always pulled with my welder and made good welds until I saw the posts about pushing. Now my weld quality greatly improved, good advice.

Clean metal is very important as well. I used to be horrible about cleaning my metal before welding. I quickly figured out how much better it welds when its clean.
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That has always been me, I never clean my metal enough, now after watching how much better my buddy did after cleaning the area first, next time I weld I will clean it first.:waytogo:
 
imiceman44 said:
That has always been me, I never clean my metal enough, now after watching how much better my buddy did after cleaning the area first, next time I weld I will clean it first.:waytogo:
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the three P's

Prep, practice, prep, and practice!!! :haha::haha:
 
I usually wipe down with lacquer thinner as it dries fast and take off the oil the manufacturer puts on. At the joint I touch up with a flap wheel usually in 80 to 120 grit.
 
imiceman44 said:
That has always been me, I never clean my metal enough, now after watching how much better my buddy did after cleaning the area first, next time I weld I will clean it first.:waytogo:
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Wait... There's something you slack off on!?


No way.... :eek1:
(Srsly, I don't believe it.)
 
Got my Eastwood. Electrical connection for the gun trigger fell apart before i could even use it. Had to pull the cover off already. No big deal, just a spade terminal that came loose.....but still.

Also, to be noted, it comes with MIG wire, not flux core. Thought it would come with Flux core...so if you plan to use flux core, order some up.

I need practice. Trying to remember how to weld on an XJ shaft, while lighting the damper on fire, and having molten rubber shoot out through your welds is difficult.

Got the job done though.
 
dhcomp said:
Got my Eastwood. Electrical connection for the gun trigger fell apart before i could even use it. Had to pull the cover off already. No big deal, just a spade terminal that came loose.....but still.

Also, to be noted, it comes with MIG wire, not flux core. Thought it would come with Flux core...so if you plan to use flux core, order some up.

I need practice. Trying to remember how to weld on an XJ shaft, while lighting the damper on fire, and having molten rubber shoot out through your welds is difficult.

Got the job done though.
Click to expand...

Make sure you switch the polarity for flux core.
 
I forget sometimes. Wtf why do my welds look crappy then comes the ohhh yeah moment
 
Sometimes I have issues remembering to turn on the argon. Try to weld for a few minutes and cant figure out why everything is so crappy.:doah:
 
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