Anything welding

Looks pretty good for flux core. You are gonna love solid core and gas once you get set up for it.

 

Looks pretty good Hugo

 

Thanks. Feel free to analyze and critique. Any input is appreciated.

 

Is your intention to weld on your truck?

I have a great fear of flux core wire welding. Those BB's go every where and they are red hot! I won't use it indoors or on vehicles. The fire hazard is too great.

Solid core had its risk of fire as well, but it's not as severe.

I think your welds are just fine. If a weld looks good, there is a good chance that it is a quality weld. You are in good shape as welds go. You can't know for sure unless you do some destructive testing.

Consider ponying up the money for the Argon/CO2 mix. The gas last a very long time unless you are welding in the wind and have to turn up the gas. The gas is not really that expensive. A small bottle will last for quite some time.

If you can make welds like that on flyx core, solid core with gas is gonna be cake.

Just don't make the same mistake I did. Switch the polarity when you get the gas.

 

Yeah gas is the intention. Not sure if I would ever weld on my truck. Got some great guys around me in the Tacoma community who do all the welding lol.

 

This is one for the guys that are rig welders. How'd you guys start out? I'm looking in that direction and I don't have much idea where to even begin. Kinda been looking at engine drives, new and used, and trucks just to start collecting what I'd need in the future. All knowledge is good knowledge to me

 

Best thing is to go to work for someone unless you already are .

Get a few years under your belt learn the business .

Then decide if you want to be an employee or self employed pros and cons to both

The hands on skills are the easy part it is the business end that gets most people in trouble .

Start thinking about insurance most bigger companies look for you to have a 3 million $$$ blanket policy to work on their property . At least a few years ago time flies

Going to start on your own have the cash on hand to pay your personal bills and estimated business expenses for at least a year

One can often pick up a fully loaded truck when someone retires or goes out of business at a decent price

There were times I made good money there were others times Fast food would have paid much more.

Remember not only are you doing all the welding and fabricating your also the purchasing agent and the book keeper not to mention the hours you most often spend on the phone . Which for the most can only be done during normal business hours .

I could go on but this should get you thinking .

 

so Im getting ready to try welding some thread inserts into some square tube. I dont have a mig so I plan to use my oxy rig? I havent glued metal in a while so Im looking for some suggestions or tips.

Thanks

 

Look up rivnut. Same thing but no welding.

 

I have those already but they're not flush and that's what I need before sending the parts to powder coat.

But those are cool. Use them in lots of sizes and applications

 

Maybe it is time to buy a welder ??

While OXY-fuel welding can do the job I sure would do a few practice ones .

Can you Silver braze ?? I don`t know if that would cause problems with the powder coating

Oxy-fuel welding dumps quite a lot of heat I hope things don`t warp .

 

Yeah that's my concern. I don't want to dump in too much heat to get a solid weld. If I had a rig it would be a concern at all. Maybe after taxes I'll get the mig running and maybe a small tig rig.

 

So I originally was looking at a Lincoln 140hd from a buddy. Just the welder for 325$. Before I could pull the trigger I found this millermatic 180 with a large tank and cart for 650$ from a fellow TW member. It's more of a welder than I'll ever need. A tank that size here is about 150-200$ so I figured the extra cash would purchase a much better welder. Picked it up today. Currently only have 1 220 outlet in the garage that's being used by the compressor. Will need to wire a breaker to run another outlet. Hoping to get that done Monday after all the holiday craziness. Can't wait to try it out.

 

That's a huge win! Im glad you took time and researched.

 

Thanks. I think I got a good deal. I hope I use it as much as I hope I will. Any cool beginner projects you recommend? Lol

 

Nice. I have a millermatic 180, 212, and 250. But my 180 still sees the most use. Gotta weld a little slower than the bigger machines but leaves more time for puddle manipulation. Just gotta get used to starting your welds to avoid cold starts. You'll love it. It's a great little machine.

 

Nice. I'm going to scavenge for some scrap metal to get as much practice as I can. I'm hoping to weld a small welding table next month.

 

Wait a minute you did not weld with this machine before buying ??

 

I couldn't. I traveled to meet with him in the middle of both locations. Asked plenty of questions but at the end of it I had to take him for his word. He's a fellow tacomaworld member. Hopefully it works. If not I f***ed up.

Edit. I actually found it through his ad on tw

 

I've owned over a dozen miller mig Welders some new, some used. Never seen one that was truly messed up or needed more than a deep cleaning. Now inverter machines are a different story. I wouldn't trade my dynasty for anything, well maybe a dynasty 350, but that's a welder I would definetly test. I probably wouldn't buy used as a a burnt up board can easily cost you $2400.