Anything welding

I got a question for you guys.

What do you guys use to clean any residue off of your metal before welding. I was using acetone and sometimes thinner.

I was cleaned some powdercoat off of a part down to bare metal, wiped down with acetone and got a portion of porosity after I welded. Metal looked clean.

 

I most times just use those discs that remove rust and scale and not the base metal .

Then it depends on the type of weld lots of time I weld through paint and some rust the seam sealer is the worst.

Blasting Media is another go to method Acid for Aluminum .

It depends just how Big the parts are .

I have never used any Chemicals but on Aluminum.

 

Okay, looks like I just need to maybe clean the area better. Or maybe the powdercoat left some residue that I can't see.

 

Sometimes gas flow can be tricky .

to much splatter in the gun .

turbulence in the corners

Something on the wire I am guessing this was Mig

 

This video is pretty neat for those doing a lot of cutting with an angle grinder. Shows two different cutting techniques and what that means for disc life.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hid9bDnSeok

 

I used to powder coat parts three garages ago, but for powder removal the best thing is Aircraft Remover. It is extremely caustic, yet water soluble. Just let it sit for about 10-15 minutes and the powder drops off like toxic ooze, just don't let it hit your skin. Use a tongs or S-hooks then water to rinse off the powder. I do this when rebuilding CVs on the cups. I don't have a strong enough bead blaster setup so it would take forever, the aircraft remover vat does the trick every time.

Edit: Don't bother with latex gloves either, they will drip off your hands immediately. If you do get it on your skin, it won't tingle but just rinse off with plain water.

 

Looks like I will be getting another 250cf tank. Dad has decided he no longer needs the big tanks and has moved to the smaller size.as his primary.

 

Here some pics of using the Aircraft Paint Remover. I only do this for powder coat, but you can see it just bubbles up slides right off after about 10-15 minutes.

 

Cool man! I only needed certain areas to be cleaned though. The rest of the PC had to stay intact.

 

I usually do the gouge technique unless it’s thin metal, but had no idea it was actually better for the disks. Thanks for sharing that.

 

wow, great video, probably just saved me a buttload of money over the life of cutting discs.

 

I do a little bit of both. Usually run a light line about 1/16", then plunge through and follow the nice line.

 

Nothing special compared to you guys lol

I made some bed stiffeners, 4 days into learning how to MIG weld -







Ran multiple T's on 1/8" up to 3/8" on my 5th day -





I've got a thread tracking my progress, but since most of it was learning oxyfuel and such, I didn't start welding until a week ago.

 

Just a hint always do any machine work before welding things to together.

It is so much easier to fit things in the Drill press or Milling machine before then your to the point it won`t fit .

So now your drilling many 1/2" holes through 3/8" material by hand

 

Agree fully!

But I made these, kind of as a spur-of-the-moment challenge myself sort of thing for someone with a 1st Gen.

I sold my 1st Gen months ago so I have no reference.

But yes, you make a valid point! Will remember that for the future.

 

I understand it was a spur of the moment idea.

I take it your substitute teacher is just a baby sitter not teaching you any interesting things.

I loved my teachers who came from the field with real job experience so many interesting things I learn never in a text book.

 

Pretty much.

He's actually the CAD instructor or w.e. for when we create blueprints for future projects near the end of class.

 

Finally got a welder and put it to practice on some 1/8” with flux. I have welded for probably 3 hours total a few years ago and am REALLY looking forward to learning. Gas is coming this week so trying to improve bit by bit. This forum has been grate to peruse, learn and get inspired.

1st attempt -- remember I have zero experience


An hour later or so later ... improvement but A TON more to go. I'm going to go searching for plenty of scrap and continue the quest.

 

Do yourself a Big Favor lots of Good Videos out there Learn what should be happening in the puddle and what needs to be done to make it happen .

I am old school so I have trouble with self taught welders but my thinking is from long before the internet and any sort of videos besides the video tech is also much better today then in the early seventies to make this possible.

Anyone Looking for a Good Book Welding Principles and Practices by Raymond Sacks now I have no idea if it can still be found.

Then being from my Youth it is old but the basics never change.

I was lucky or cursed I entered this field when Mig and Tig processes where just starting to trickle down to the fabrication shops and millwrights till this time it was all stick welding so here is this youngin that knows these new fancy processes while the much older coworkers at the time look at mig and tig like devil worship .

 

Congratulations and welcome to the club. Were all just trying to get better, it's just some are further along than others. A lot of us are self taught before Youtube and other great resources. I have laid down welds that were way behind where you are already.

Looks like 1st piece of advice is to try to maintain a constant speed of movement. Looks like you are varying your speed. Practice without pulling the trigger. Even guys like Jody on https://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/ do dry runs to get speed/motion muscle memory kicked in before pulling the trigger.