Anything welding

You just can't weld anything thick until you move :^)

Where there's a will, there's a way. When I was in college, I used my 220 electric range outlet for my ham radio amplifier. Room mates thought I was a lunatic.

I have an older HTP140 mig machine that's 120 only. I ran a neutral line to my 220 30amp mill outlet so that I have a socket with enough juice to turn it all the way up. Make sure you use a 20a socket if you do this, a lot of regular house sockets are only rated for 15amps. And of course, use 10g wire, not 12.

 

First time welder, did I do good?
Hurricane welder 170 on 120v
Wire speed 250
Voltage 15
0.030 flux core store brand
1/8 scrap metal I had laying around

 

How about some details:

Welder?

Wire?

Gas?

Voltage?

 

Good point, just excited to weld. Edited post with information. Any and all critique is welcome

 

Looks like you got a good handle on the basics. Did you use the suggested setting on the machine or just get lucky?

Does that machine have provisions to add gas and use solid core wire? I'm not familiar with that welder.

 

I followed the settings on the machine but my first two welds looked like they were too hot and burning through so I turned it from 18 to 16 to 15. It does have the gas and solid wire option. Just wanted to practice on flux to learn how to setup the machine, get the tension right, and practice a few beads first.

Also tanks are expensive

 

Time to start on Tee Joints

If you think Shielding Gas is expensive might want to rethink the welding idea.

The increase in my Electric Bills makes shielding gas look cheap though I am paying for a Melted Reactor so my rates are a tad high

 

Ha, ha. I know what you are talking about.

Nice smooth, thread derail.

 

I’d try going back up to 18v. Thats the same exact settings mine recommends and it does very well. Maybe just try increasing your speed a little bit. Or practice an actual joint instead of just a bead. Looks good though and congrats on the welder!!

 

Will do, just need to find some more scrap steel. This is actually your fault for convincing me that I could do this after your own shock relocation/crosstube

 

I’ll take that blame! Welding is fucking awesome. Once you get more comfortable, sky’s the limit

 

In the process of building a headache rack for my Taco. Will be 1.5" sq tube frame, 1.5x3" rect tube with cutout for brake light up top. Probably going to use this heavy duty crusher screen to protect back window.

Question I have is about attaching rack to the bed. I've decided to go with full length bed rails made of 3/16" 2" angle, and bolt them through to the inside lip on the bed. I'm thinking this should be strong enough, especially with the force spread out over the whole length of the bed. But curious to see if anyone has done this before or has any input?

 

I had one on my 85. It only extended back about 2' and was plenty. Whole bed should be more than sufficient.

 

Ok that's what I was thinking. I figure with full length I can chunk whatever I want across the bed rail and not have to worry about it. Considering tie down points too, but dunno if that would be a good idea seeing as it's just bolted to thin sheet.

 

I guess that depends what you are tying down. I'd add some. I tie down to the lip of my bed all the time without issue

 

I only have mine attached with 4 M10 bolts then I have a piece under the bed rail just as long as the top piece Think Super size fender washer .

I have D rings on the up rights I strap to all the time with . enough tension to hold a 1000 pound machine on wheels

For what it is worth I put Silicone Between the back of the cab and the uprights The first time I Towed a welder I got some vibration that cured the problem

Going the whole length you can attach tie downs to all the bolts you can never have to many

 

I probably put a piece of flat stock behind the rail.

I've been having a hard time finding those small d rings. I'll have to check a few more places. But def want them.

What do you mean by silicone between back of cab and uprights? Does your rack touch the cab? I'm making mine off the cab 3/4-1" at least on the bottom.

 

Mine is at least that far as well

Just pulling that 2000 pound welder made enough movement it hit a few times .

Then it might also just be me thinking it hit

 

I recieved the Wen bandsaw and cut up some sch 40 pipe to practice welding on. I'm getting more used to the c25 gas. It's awesome.

 

Looking good dude!