Anything welding

True. I need to be more liberal with my "likes".

 

Main website has +0.75 to +2.50 cheater inserts available, just not clear how to specify which one. Though they seem they may be standard sized at 2"x4.25"? https://tekwarepro.com/collections/accessories/products/2-x-4-25-clear-magnifying-welding-lens-2-50

Don't normally need glasses but find 1.5x cheaters helpful for detail work - for now I've just been using bifocal Dewalt safety glasses. Been thinking an insert would be better though.

 

Your post was fine - you just had a different perspective / approach in your desire to be helpful.

All good.

 

thanks! Ya, admittedly I didn’t bother cleaning this metal at all. I got home exited with my new stuff and I just dug in.

.035, since it’s what it came with. But I do think I want to try the .030, since I hear it’s better with thinner metals.

Its .035 flux core wire. I can snap a closer pic later. Most of those lines were done pushing instead of dragging. I finally remembered to drag it when I attached the angled sheet and the line down the middle of the sheet.

Thanks for this advice. So I do have a super basic question: what is everyone doing to clean their metals? Everything was covered in oil and admittedly I didn’t bother to clean it before I started.

 

“Like”.

 

Wipe down with acetone if oily, flap disc on an angle grinder to knock off mill scale. Check out benchmark abrasives on Amazon. They’re high quality at a really fair price.

 

Thanks for that. Off to Amazon I go!

 

Yup, pull flux core, push shielded. Until you know enough to know when to break the rules.

Speaking of which... definitely look into picking up a tank of C25 gas. Makes a huge difference. 80CF IMHO is a fine starter size, then you can decide later on if you need something bigger and keep the 80 as spare. Or the 80 may be just right. Or I may have no clue what I'm talking about and you should listen to the experienced folks instead of this (relative) newbie.

Good advice from @EatSleepTacos - I'd also say that a basic oscillating sander can do a decent job. I've grabbed my little Ryobi One sander plenty of times.

I'd recommend picking up one or two extra 5amp 4.5" angle grinders. Super nice to switch between cutoff wheel, grinding disc, and flap wheel by just grabbing a different grinder. IMHO they don't need to be pricey or fancy. Something like this does just fine and doesn't break the bank. Ironton 4 1/2in. Angle Grinder — 4.3 Amp, 110 Volt, 11,000 RPM

 

Have you tried any of the more powerful grinders by chance? One of mine is 11 amp and one 8 amp and man, the 11 amp has some balls behind it. Great for cutting through stuff. Well worth it if you’re looking to stick with the hobby.

 

In fairness, I haven't - so I probably should consider adding a BFG - but I've also not ever felt limited with the 5 to 5.5A ones I have currently. I've also not had need to cut a bunch of sheet or plate so that's likely a factor too.

 

It really makes a difference depending on what you’re doing. Paired with a 40 grit flap disc or cutting disc, it flies through steel. Not trying to grinder shame you or anything, but if you’re ever in the market for picking up another grinder and want to splurge a little, it’s well worth it.



11 Amp Corded 4-1/2 in. Small Angle Grinder with Lock-On Paddle Switch

https://www.homedepot.com/p/300476867

 

That looks identical to the $10 harbor freight grinders.
I have 3 of those. Wire wheel, grinder, cut-off.
I did have 1 burn up on me after 2 years but the others and the replacement are going strong and I have very little money in them.
Probably not suitable for a production environment.

 

Just be sure that you give the acetone a few minutes to completely dry before you weld. I saw an article a while back (I’ll try to find it) where a guy used a chemical to clean metal, I’m not sure what it was. He didn’t let it dry before he welded. It caused a chemical reaction and just from a small breath of the fumes, it put him in the hospital.

As @EatSleepTacos suggested, I also use acetone to clean the metal after I hit the surface with a flap disc.

 

Chlorinated brake cleaner. Makes a nasty gas when welding. Just don't use it on anything that's going to be welded imo.

CRC branded brake clean the red cans are chlorinated and the green cans are non chlorinated. But always double check.


Or something else in your example but that always pops into my mind

 

So go to walmart, pharmacy section and find the "readers rack" Try on the different pairs and the number is on the label. What ever you can see best at the distance you feel you will weld, will be the number you order. I hated the cheater lens. It was hard to adjust your head to the puddle for me. Annoying. Just my opinion, but if you find 1.5x to be useful, you need glasses. I waited until it was embarrassing. Don't wait that long.
Zim

 

Made thise little gift for my sister. I got her for our gift exchange and she said be creative. This our families cattle brand in Mexico and has become a sort of a family crest I guess.

Turns out bending 1/2" round stock is harder to bend than I thought with the tools I have lol. Its meant to look a bit rustic. Ended up using bluing liquid to get it all the same color.

 

I added some legs that tie into the frame onto my rear most bed bar. These beds have a tendency to spread with any weight on them, and being bobbed and held together with plates and rivets, I wanted to try and mitigate that.

 

Also, I got my baby cold cut saw in, the evo

$189 rage4 7-1/4" TCT multipurpose cutting chop saw, orange

rage4. Holy shit this thing is GREAT. It cuts super fast and pretty clean. Minimal deburring to prep it for weld. And it’s small enough to store in a cabinet when I’m not using it. For only $140, I don’t think there’s a better solution.

 

If you guys were to recommend a machine for someone trying to start what would you recommend? Used or new?
I plan on repairing my first gens bed then frame and eventually a front and rear bumper.

I’ve been practicing with a HF flux core the cheap cheap one, and I find the wire feed intermittently just stops and their cheap helmet doesn’t help me see a damn thing.

 

I would go new. That way if you’re having a hard time laying a nice bead, you can (mostly) eliminate a faulty machine. What’s your budget?