Anything welding

I took a class on Arc and Oxy-Acetelene a long time ago (most of it forgotten), and that helped a lot to get me started. You should also get ahold of some scrap and practice running beads, and some simple joints. Change the settings, see what kind of penetration you are getting, cleanliness of the beads, etc. Then take the welded joints over to a vise and stress test them, in my class if the weld failed you got a bad grade.

You should definitely get a nice thick book or two that delve into metallurgy and welding. There's so much to know (like some of the guys here know without batting an eye) that's it's really helpful the keep reference material.

 

Or they just don't give a shit.

If you're inclined, find a manual on-line and teach yourself how to set it up.

 

Exactly. Torchmate has enough online material to teach you everything you could ever need to know. The last shop I worked at had a 25k dollar plasma table that sat unused for 2 yrs until I convinced them I could get it going and make it useful

 

I'll never understand why a business would spend that kind of money on something and never use it.

 

so you're saying I'm SOL for welding since I only have 110v...Renting is the worst for having fun projects...

 

...or just start running flux core wire...

 

100% CO2 or Fluxcore.

 

This ^ or you can run 100% C02 for your gas that will get you deeper penetration.

 

I just welded up one of my sliders with my longevity 140 mig. And it got descent penetration. Its .120 wall and my beads are nice, not high at all.
Im sure with flux core i would get alot better penetration, but Im not going to bash on them. I just want them just incase I need them.

 

How do the heat marks on either side of the weld look?

No need to bash any of the different MIG processes. Each has their advantages.

 

Will post pics of toys in garage next time I'm out there

 

they look good to me.. I know man, I just wanted to state my experience with my little 140 machine on .120 wall tubing.. Anything thicker then 1/8" I will use fluxcore.

 

What was the motion of the torch on those first two pics? Looks like you were filling in a deep groove. So clean... gives me chills.

 

Goddamn, all this time I've been lookin' for butter for my biscuits. Now my dinner is completed. Thank you sir, carry on.

 

Nice work Castrate!

 

Thanks. The first pic is 8" sch.40 316L stainless. I walked the cup using a "jumbo" rig with #12 cup. The second pic is free handed on 3/4" sch.80 316L stainless.

 

Thanks for the compliments fellas. Welding is just about all I know. Started doing it when I was 14, and haven't been able to stop. For me, it's kind of an adrenaline rush knowing that many if my welds on stainless will be put to use at the bottom of rivers, lakes, and oceans. Good times!

 

So you think if I grabbed a Hobart 140 or equivalent w flux wiring id be good to go on some tube type projects, given the practice and such?