Anything welding

Bought a new tig today. Should be here next week... pics to come of course

 

Lol I’m trying to learn... it’s fucking hard

 

Not bad! Practice definitely makes perfect

I’ve had some experience in the past at shops I’ve worked at but never actually had my own at the home shop. Definitely looking forward to it!

 

Practice makes prettier.

My welding is officially better than my handwriting.

 

Starting to look like something.

 

I’m posting this here because you guys would probably benefit the most from it. Found these little gems at HF this week. They work so much better than anything I’ve used for steel and the price isn’t bad compared to name brand.
Get some.

 

How much were they?

 

Nice! Harbor freight has definitely stepped up their game lately. I have a couple old stepper bits that I’ve used for steel and aluminum for a while but it’s nice to know that harbor freight finally has some good stepper bits.

 

They’re $30 now but there was a coupon that had them at $25.

 

I’ve used their cheap step bits for a while and had no problem tossing them out when they’d dull. It was always a PITA to drill through 1/4” steel and burn out the bit at the last step. These cut so much better than those old ones.

 

Step drills are the bomb.

 

They do have a use The ones given to me over the years worked fine in the drill press till some helper chucked them in a hand drill then decided Rocking them back and forth was a grand idea and destroyed the cutting edge then complained they were no good.

 

Welllll. Finally took my first actual pipe test and it was a DOOZY. Kinda went hard for my first one but go big or go home right? Open root stainless to carbon heavy wall 6” on a 6G with obviously tig.

that open root with stainless is a monster to me but also that’s my lack of experience. It passed visual and got sent off for X-ray.

I pray it passes but the fact that I finally got a test and it passed visual alone is a win in my book.

 

Little welding stand I whipped up yesterday out of scrap. The cart I had intended to use was too tall causing the fan from the welder to blow its own argon away...

 

What’s your thoughts on that machine? I’ve been in the market for an ac/dc machine and the price point on this one makes it very enticing. I’m just not convinced on the durability of it

 

Ive only owned it a day and haven’t even struck an arc yet. I did pretty extensive research before buying and have many buddies with this machine with little to no complaints. For the price you can’t really beat it I don’t think. Plus they have a 3 year warranty(5 year optional). I’ve always welded “blue”, but miller doesn’t really have anything at this price point which competes with it.

Only thing I dislike about it already is that the fan runs all the time.

As far as welding with it goes I will have to report back after more time with it

 

Ahh, guess I’ll have to check back in on your thoughts in a month or so haha.

sounds like we are the same person, I own blue now (millermatic 251) but I agree that Miller doesn’t offer anything that I really like. I’m either getting this square wave, the precision tig, or the aspect, all from Lincoln but I just can’t decide yet even after probably two months of researching. The one thing I don’t care for on the square wave is the lack of post flow adjustment, but I’m sure I could get over that at the price it’s at.

 

I’ve welded with the precision tig 225 and it’s a solid machine. I thought the squarewave would be a good choice for me if I ever had to go mobile. Definitely will report back my honest opinion after using it for a bit

 

Lincoln is doing a Full Court press against the China Built machines.

I will just say I hope all the bugs are worked out .

Read your operators manual even if you have been welding Since working on Noah`s Ark .

We get so many machines under warranty ( that is not a warranty claim) because the users fail to read the manual and each generation of welders is so very different . This also lets you know when it is really broke as well.