Anything welding

I was 100% on board with the lower front hoop/bar, even made one up and boy did it look good.
then I test fit my antenna and realized that it would be hitting the hood
i'm going to mess with it a bit more, but we'll see if it works for me.

I bought this hood before Christmas, did a lot of welding since then. This helmet whips the lama's ass!
such a huge viewing area, the side windows are nice to brighten things up, Comfy...

I liked it so much I bought a 6 pack of replacement lenses so I don't have to worry about finding them later.

YMMV, but I'd recommend this hood to anyone

 

Worked better

 

... anything welding ... we have a new metal front door. we really want to keep the metal look rather than prime and paint. We know it's going to rust quickly without a protective coating. Does anyone have a recommendations on a long lasting clear coat or something we could put on the door to protect it? There is a porch so the door is covered -- it's not getting direct rain or water, but it's definitely exposed to the texas air. I assume I'll be cleaning / re-coating on a periodic basis. Our door installer thinks we're nuts for not painting it, but it seems like we could get something that could last with general maintenance. I added a clear coat to this sample and have had it sitting outside for about a month now ... so far so good ...

THANKS!!!

 

I'd think a clear coat would work as well as any pigmented paint. I've had good results on small stuff with rustoleum rattlecan clear. I'd look for something you could roll onto the door so you avoid potential issues with rattlecan coverage.

 

stoked it worked out for you! I can’t take credit though I am fairly sure the more experienced guys recommended it a while back and I just finally took them up on their advice too

 

I sent the Yeswelder helmet back and got this one in Sep 2019. The headband on the Yeswelder didn't seem to fit me right. This one is still going strong, so for the money, I think it has worked out real well.

Large Viewing Screen 3.9"X2.4" True Color Solar Power Auto Darkening Welding Helmet, 4 Arc Sensor Wide Shade 4/5-9/9-13 for TIG MIG Arc Weld Grinding Welder Mask Robot Design

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07T47ZFDN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8

 

Out of curiosity, anyone here ever attempt to build their own toolbox? I’m thinking of giving it a go just for the exercise of it. I’m sure it’ll end up cost me more than a mid level box but it’ll be just a fun project. Probably start with something smallish like a rolling tool cart with a flip top and a couple drawers. I have plenty of experience in welding sheet metal since I started doing body work when I first started welding and I’ve built plenty or pieces of furniture out of wood so this would be a marriage of both skill sets.

 

Send it off to get a clear powder coat

 

Use a sawzall or cutting wheel. Be safe, layers of protection.
Zim

 

I could use some input. I was given a Hobart Handler 120, two tanks, regulator, a couple spools of wire, gloves, auto hood, spare tips, vise grip clamps, etc.
I've never messed with a wire feed, but would like to give it a go.
I know it's not very powerful, but from what I'm told, I can weld up to 1/4" consistently.

I have some scraps I can practice on, but where do I start? I'd like to learn.

 

I'd say you already started. You have a huge head start on the hardware. The machine is perfect to learn on and use the rest of your life.

Do you have a place to weld? Garage? Driveway?

90% of MIG welding is done on material less than .250". Don't get hung up on the thickness that machine can weld, its not really an issue.

Find some YT vids on guys MIG welding will give you an idea on where to to start.

 

I use to weld stick, years ago. I built trailers and whatnot, and was pretty proficient. Then we moved out to the country to a bigger place.
The welder was an old Lincoln buzz box. A friend of mine borrowed it while, and he got proficient with it enough, that he wanted to buy one, so I sold him mine.
I never did replace it, and found myself drifting away from a need to have one. That changed exponentially, now having more space. I have a shop.

When I got the Hobart, I put it on top of a rolling cart.
I fanagled up a place for the bottle to ride along, and haven't touched it since.
Honestly, I'm a bit intimidated, having never messed with one. LOL.

I been walking by the dang thing for over a year now.
Both tanks are full as well.
Youtube? Well, I never thought of that!! I'll have a look for something on this machine.

 

You're off to a great start. The handler 120 is a good machine, I've got mine setup for Flux Core. It's starting to show its age and needs a capacitor or something replaced. You might be challenged to find parts.

 

Morning. I found some videos on the Handler 140. Getting it set-up is my main concern, as there is no manual for any reference.
I know the machine is dated, but I was assured it was fully functional from my lady friend. Her husband (long since passed away) used it fairly frequently.
Maybe I can track down a manual for it online, that I can print out.
Now that I found the videos, they will definitely help me get started down the path of seaming something together.
If the machine goes kaput, I know I won't be investing a lot into it. It will hopefully get me started.

 

I had found this owners manual, some of the references don't seem quite right since it's for other machines as well, but it's close.

 

When I was an apprentice i spent weeks helping to build stainless filing cabinets for operating rooms. I was the drawer installing bitch as well as the grind and polish monkey for all the journeymans welds. Pretty finikey work getti g the drawers to work smooth.

 

Welded up some v blocks to help when welding up exhaust and intercooler piping.

 

I found the same thing, just a few minutes ago. Good to have on-hand.

 

Those setting suggestions are only rough settings at best.

Turn the thing on, turn both dials to about the 1/3 setting and start welding.

When is sounds like steadily frying eggs, you know you are getting close.

You will have to constantly adjust. You got this. Just spend some time with it.

Also, look for good looking welds on the internet. When you can make them similar, you are getting close.

Very often a good looking weld is a quality weld.

 

As a beginner with some experience myself, it's easier to set it to the recommended chart settings and then move them up and down from there. 1/3 setting is gonna be wildly different on 1/16" and 1/4" leaving a mess and a long way to adjust. I agree the chart settings aren't always ideal, but they're a relatively good starting point based on some standard variables.