Anything welding

Im thinking this also.

 

I gotta wonder if some of what looks like splatter is just not vaporized wire because it is coming out so hot even for spray mode.

 

once you have the welder
what's the best source for learning?
YouTube? Classes?
Searching for books on "How to weld", buying the first thing that pops up, and reading it?

 

Decide what style of welding you want to do and what you think you want build or fix with the welder.

Get recommendations of what welding machine would work for what you are doing. Buy the welder and start welding.

YT is an amazing source. Posting pics here will help as well. No internet when I was a kid so the learning curve was waaaay longer.

You just have to ask for a bit of critique and you will have lots of info to work with.

Just do it!

 

All of the above it depends just which way you pick up things easier.

Now videos do nothing for me I pick up more reading and looking as pictures .

even the worst classes you pick something up.

the real trick is not learning bad habits they are a royal pain to break down the road.

 

Doing some "MaGyvering".

Mower deck is beyond salvage.

Found a doner that is the same width, but had many differences when it comes to brackets and hangers.

Cutting off brackets from the rotted out deck. Gonna try to make them fit on the new deck.

I have no idea if this will work.

I'm posting my progress. If it ends in the scrap pile, you guys will know it 1st.

This deck is not savable. The other side is worse and all spindle flanges are paper thin.

 

Notice the curve of the back of the deck where the brackets are welded. The doner deck is not a stamped steel deck and does not have that curve.

 

Got the brackets cut off. The job really sucks even with a plasma.

 

Need to notch out the brackets for the new deck. Portable band saw made quick work of that.

 

Pics got out of order. Sorry.

 

Mock fitting the brackets on the doner deck.

Like I said. I have never done this before. It's gonna work or it's gonna be sent to recycling.

Those small brackets in the first pick had to be removed to allow the brackets to fit properly.

 

Ran out of steam. It's beer thirty.

TBC

 

Been here done this The critical part is the spindles and pulleys everything else can be adjusted to work.getting power to the blades nothing like having the belts self destruct or not say on.

You can also move things on the tractor side what ever is the easiest .

 

I agree with you, it's always a huge PITA to remove brackets. What plasma are you using? I've got a PowerMax 45 and LOVE it. Have you tried plasma gouging? It's an interesting experience, I recommend a tinted full face shield or welding mask though, lol, otherwise you end up with raccoon eyes before your sister-in-law's wedding.

(That was me, I had raccoon eyes when I thought it'd be a good idea to plasma gouge an old receiver hitch apart lol)

 

Yep. Did a bunch of gouging. Its not a skill for the novices. Blow back WILL happen! The tinted shield works great!

I'm running a Miller Spectrum 675.

I have been eyeballing a 45. I need a cutter that supports a machine head for the plasma table. Miller doesnt have a machine head for their cutters.

 

No, I found that out the hard way as well. It's definitely an experience haha. I've got a grind setting on my mask that I use for it now, but that first time... oof. That sucked. The new 45s are awesome, more powerful than my older unit. I've got a machine head for mine, I've got a table too, but need to get it all set up and figure out how to use and program it. I really need a place to store it that's not my basement, nobody wants those fumes in the house. :barf: (nor the fire hazard!)

 

I made a water table. There are no fumes! Definately invest in one.

 

Planning to build one. I've got all the equipment to do it, I just need a place to leave the plasma table set up. I'm still not comfortable cutting in my basement. Best I've got on the way is a small box truck body to work out of. Still not enough to leave the plasma table set up...

 

Started my trailer build this past week putting my Titanium 140 to work. overall size is 4x8 with an extendable tongue. First couple welds were a bit blah but then I got into a rhythm.

 

Picked up a MigMax 215



next step was a cart; picked up a Vulcan cart



and next step after that need to figure out where to get gas re:
-which container
-best prices
-where to fill up (probably easiest part)
-figuring out best size

Not sure what else would be left to figure out after that to get the show rolling
probably
-helmet
-gloves
-protective equipment such as leather sleeves
-making sure the welder came with (or will have) enough consumables on the cart to not run out during a project