Anything welding

$1 for a wheel that lasts a month is the same deal as $5 for a wheel that lasts 5 months. If they retain their shape the same ect. But if you like them, that’s what matters. Until you try something new “you don’t know, what you don’t know”.

 

If you guys would like to understand more about the differences in abrasives you should check out the Welding Tips, and Tricks podcast with Empire abrasives. They really explain the benifits of different abrasives.

 

I've tried the more expensive stuff like Diablo from the local big box stores. They didn't last me any longer than these benchmarks do. And they definitely last me longer than a month. But I can't say I've tried a ton of different brands, so you're right I don't really have anything to compare them to. Like I said hobbyist. I go through maybe 2-3 flap wheels a year.

 

Then the benchmarks are great for your needs and at least you’re trying different stuff. So many people are caught up on prices they’d rather discount products before they even try them. Then they’re on the internet telling new people products they’ve never tried can’t be better than the budget stuff they currently use.

 

I'm a pretty reasonable person lol. I definitely know these aren't the best on the market or else they wouldn't be "giving em away" haha. If I ever get into more consistent heavy use I'll do research and see what works for people in those situations. I have a friend that works for a formula drift team and he's usually my go to guy when asking for help/opinions. I showed him these and he said no thanks haha. So yeah different strokes for different folks.

 

The battery for the generators starter is bad of course so I just hooked my jumper to it since it has a carburetor and hadn't started in a while of course it didn't want to start till 20 hours of cranking, fuel additives and starting fluid

But when it did start the LCD display on the junper that displayed voltage went blank and it stopped charging when plugged in

$154 Clore Automotive Jump-N-Carry JNC770R 1700 Peak Amp Premium 12 Volt Jump Starter - Red

https://www.amazon.com/Clore-Automotive-JNC770R-N-Carry-Premium/dp/B01GQDBNWS

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...Generator-with-Subaru-Engine-RD8000/100671886

That generator fried that jumper when it started which I realize the magnito is on a different circuit from the ac output but it still had me worried about frying a 1200 dollar welder

 

Been building a hog roaster. I freely admit I have no idea what I'm doing.

 

Nice! Shot ya a sub.

 

Thanks!

 

Just really got my newly acquired MM 252 setup and man it is nice. The infinite settings are great to play with and dial in. I tried some .045 ultra core FCAW-S. It had great penetration and flows in nice, but nothing really leaves that cosmetic appearance quite like solid core .035.

 

Got myself an arm rest. Probably a waste of money but I got it lol

 

I got one of those. I probably don’t bust it out as often as I should. But it’s been a life saver when I have.

 

Good to know! Seems like it will work for bigger stuff, or if I prop up smaller pieces. I'll be practicing som tig on some coupons tomorrow.

 

I got some of those walter surface tech flap disks and they're legit

 

I've used the cheapest flap disks, the expensive flap disks, and everything in between. Harbor freight and home depot's just never seem up to snuff. The local welding shop tends to have good ones, but you'll pay for 1-3 what you'll pay for a pack of the cheap ones. They will last longer, and more importantly they'll perform better. Honestly it's amazing how much better. It's one of those things, spend more to get the project done faster, so you can move on to the next project.

• There are several things I look for in a flap disk, number one being the number of flaps. Good ones will have 2-4 times as many as the cheap ones.
• Two, the thickness. The flaps should be 1/2 - 3/4" thick, and should not compress down to 1/4" when you squeeze them. Some of the cheap ones were gluing the flaps up at an angle to make them look thicker than they really are.
• Three, and this one is diy at your own severe risk. Plastic hubs. Some of the plastic hubs can be ground down against a metal edge. It makes the disk smaller in diameter, but you get a good leading edge for almost the entire disk. I have a few of these that are ground down just sitting in a drawer that I only keep because they also get into tighter areas. Only need it once in a blue moon on leap years, but I am always glad I have it when I do use it. They sit with the half worn down grinding and cutting wheels for the same reason.

 

I made a bunch of relief cuts so the doors would remain curved. What a pain welding them back closed.

 

I'm exhausted just looking at that. Are you going to grind them down and blend them?

 

Yes, it was tiring. Both sides took me close to an hour.

I think I will knock them down, but I'm not blending them. The owner can do it if it bothers him.

After a coat of black paint, no one is gonna care.

 

This is why I won't get a job as a welder and why I tell people to NOT get a job doing something they love. I'd hate to grow hate towards something I enjoy.

 

Lol.

Fabrication has been one of my hobbies for a long time. I still love doing it. It's made me a lot of money, too.