Anything welding

continuing the basics ... practice practice practice. I got lazy on the prep since I'm just trying to get the flow down and I'm not using this for anything -- but I'm finally drawing some straight(er) lines.

 

Was told to post this here. Semi-custom bumper build. Bought a weld together kit from Coastal Offroad in the aluminum flavor and extreme clearance kit (you cut off the factory sub frame and weld in a new one that's much higher up). Also going to change up some of the tubing layout and adding some miscellaneous brackets here and there.

I have a Miller 215, great machine but it can't do AC TIG. So I was limited to either a spoolgun or a trying MIG setup.

I borrowed a neighbors spoolgun on a Miller 211 to try but I actually ended up liking the results with my traditional MIG 215 for most of the project (not done yet).

The material is 1/4" 5052. I used a 3/64" 5356 filler with 100% argon, DCEP process and fed directly through my Miller 215 gun with .047" contact tips. Generally needed 25-27V (upper limit on this machine) to get good penetration through the oxidation layer, 450-550 ipm. I even used the stock .030/.035" drive roller...only a handful of feed issues if the torch cable was too far bent. I was surprised by how well it worked honestly. The weld quality was decent, I checked penetration on a couple joints, breaking them apart and cutting cross sections until I got the settings dialed in. Really seemed to only be limited by my own lack of experience/skill in aluminum welding. I had done some TIG aluminum welding in the past, but never MIG.

Don't get me wrong, I'm certainly not stacking dimes...but for the purposes of this project, it will certainly work (and because i'm cheap)

The most time-consuming part is prepping the aluminum. Lots of brushing with a stainless wire brush, then clean the joint with acetone...every time. Also getting real intimate with a flap disk.

A grinder and some paint makes a welder what he aint!





I haven't finished up the tubes yet because I decided I didn't really like how the center tube framed the grill (just spent a bunch of time building the custom grill). Waiting on some material so I can extend the center hoop so that its approximately the length of the grill.

 

Since you're learning (as well as me), I'll say your wirespeed and voltage look good, but practice in being consistent when laying your bead.

I like to watch the wire and follow the seam when doing T's to ensure I have equal amounts of weld on both pieces being welded together.

Otherwise, keep up the good work!

And like someone here told me, ABC's!

Always Be Comfortable.

 

For some reason my post was deleted. Let’s try this again:


Wife welded for the first time today!

Helped me with a Christmas present for my Pops.



We’ve been meaning to get her in to learn for months now and today we finally just had her give it a shot! She wanted to tig first like I did but this was what the day called for. Few shaky lines but for her first time welding ever I’m one proud guy! She put in nearly 16’ of wire feed today. I think she did great

 

Will you be able to live without access to your own table??

Will you be close enough to have a local vendor to do this type of work?

 

When I move I’ll make my own table to start on and build from there for sure!

 

Forgive me if it's obvious, but what is it?

Cool, you have a wife with similar interests!

 

Christmas Vacation!

But it wasn't without cutting, welding, drilling, and grinding a bunch of legs we were short on -





Making a jig for the main table support, thanks to tips I took from @GHOST SHIP



To welding misc stuff for the boss -

 

Oh yeah! Should have stated that haha.

My Pops has a stone and brick fire pit in his back yard he uses religiously. Like rain, snow, whatever, it’s fire night.

The metal grate in it is melted and busted and gross.

This will be a replacement (for as long as 3/16” will last with his constant use).

It coincides with his 60th birthday present we got him in November:

 

It's nice to see others have no issue welding their jigs directly to the fabrication table. It's the only way I know.

 

Welding to the table works for short runs!

I made jigs over the years for those jobs that you get like every 3 months for 50 pieces that just clamped to the table or tack welded that could be moved to different locations as needed without starting from scratch.

It would never fail a Super Hot rush job comes along and the table needs cleaned off in the middle of the 50 piece fill in job.

 

Got started today. The winch is going to fit up behind the grill very nicely. Super excited how this is going to turn out.

 

So am I!

 

Decided to start on a boat step stand for getting into my fishing boat when it's still on the trailer.

 

The real challenge would be to build a step to get in the boat in the middle of the pond!!

I did find Cat fishing in the back yard was Fun till Mom asked what I was up to.

 

I'm new to welding and in the market for a machine. Are these guys legit? Miller won't give me side eye if I need warranty service?

Welding Supplies from IOC
6002 Victory Way
Indianapolis, Indiana 46278
(866) 854-7380 www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.com


Edit - Update: Screen shot from Miller Warranty online registration, as of 1/6/2022. "I" (the OP), in no way exclude any online company/concern(s) not listed. This is what Miller has on their "internet vendors" drop down. I make the assumption that being listed (there), Miller recognizes the online vendor, and so gives me comfort. YMMV

Miller also has a list of physical stores, by state, however physical stores are not a subject covered in this post.

 

As long as the Machine is within Warranty age your good to go.Always check the age of the machine by the serial number easy to find on most all manufactures web sites

Be aware of New Old Stock I have seen machines get buried at a Distributor in a case like that things can be tricky.

You can take it any place if the warranty vendor is close by pass the Distributor .

Your most likely going to be buying Shielding Gas

Not counting end user damage ! Like falling 3 stories , Being run over or speared with a Fork Lift . Hooked up to the Wrong Voltage.

 

What do you plan to do with the welder? Do you need a high end welder(heavy usage plan), or are you just a weekend project guy? Budget? What type welding: MIG; TIG; Arc? You steel only, or thinking aluminum, stainless, etc? What thicknesses, etc?

Give some more background, or do you know what you want to buy and are you just wanting to know about that specific dealer?

 

I’m an aspiring enthusiast. Going to get a Miller 215. So MIG, 3/16 steel, 1/4 max, primary flux core until I spring for a bottle. Depending on confidence levels, planning on a rear shock relocate in a year. A year after, maybe a SS exhaust. After that I’ll decide if I’m going spring under (Deavers).

I got to get off the fence. Things are getting expensive fast. IOC still has the Miller 215 $1949 (shipped). Recently I’m seeing ~$2250+ a lot of places

 

I could give 2 shits about warrenties.

Hobart, Miller, Titanium, Vulcan are all good rigs to have at home.

I think it would be difficult to wear out any of the above. If you do, the wear parts are meant to be easily and cheaply replaced.

I'm a MIG fan only. I have not found a need for stick welding or TIG welding in 25 years.

The only difference I have noticed is the required gas for MIG can be bargained down if you buy a machine from a local welding supplier (LWS).

I have a hard time trying to figure out why you would need warrenty work on any of the above MIG units. If you needed repairs, most likely, it was not from poor build quality. You made the damage yourself, ( which, I'm guilty of doing).

In addition, I would have no issue buying a 20 year old MIG welder, especially if it was a transformer version.