WOW! I remember how to weld!!!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 4
From: Fairview Heights Illinois, near Saint Louis MO, STL C3 Shark
WOW! I remember how to weld!!!
I took industrial technology class every year in Jr High. One quarter we learned how to spot weld, arc weld, oxycetalene weld and cut etc. Thats been about 15 years ago.
About 3 years ago my Dad gave me an old welder he had inherited from his brother, but never used. I built my garage/shop this summer and had an extra breaker in place for the welder. Long story short (yeah I know, already kind of long) I wired from the breaker to the welder plug, and bought a box of 6013 welding sticks (it's an arc welder), a helmet, gloves etc. And started welding on some scrap mild steel. At first I had it too hot, but after I turned it down a little, I had some pretty decent weld beads...... (took about 10-15 minutes of practice)
Im excited, I've got some ideas of some welding projects!!!!!!!!
About 3 years ago my Dad gave me an old welder he had inherited from his brother, but never used. I built my garage/shop this summer and had an extra breaker in place for the welder. Long story short (yeah I know, already kind of long) I wired from the breaker to the welder plug, and bought a box of 6013 welding sticks (it's an arc welder), a helmet, gloves etc. And started welding on some scrap mild steel. At first I had it too hot, but after I turned it down a little, I had some pretty decent weld beads...... (took about 10-15 minutes of practice)
Im excited, I've got some ideas of some welding projects!!!!!!!!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 4
From: Fairview Heights Illinois, near Saint Louis MO, STL C3 Shark
I'll see what I can do about pics. But Im not sure why you'd want to see pics of my scrap metal welding 
Maybe I'll post pics when I get home of what I want to build for my first project. I think I need to come up with some way to store my welding sticks too so they don't get moisture in them.
Maybe I'll post pics when I get home of what I want to build for my first project. I think I need to come up with some way to store my welding sticks too so they don't get moisture in them.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
we love pics..and don't worry..you can't possibly show the poorest welding job..that honor goes to len/jughead 
Sure my welds would be a close second then.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Originally Posted by ruby76
I'll see what I can do about pics. But Im not sure why you'd want to see pics of my scrap metal welding Maybe I'll post pics when I get home of what I want to build for my first project. I think I need to come up with some way to store my welding sticks too so they don't get moisture in them.
Maybe I'll post pics when I get home of what I want to build for my first project. I think I need to come up with some way to store my welding sticks too so they don't get moisture in them.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 4
From: Fairview Heights Illinois, near Saint Louis MO, STL C3 Shark
ok, no laughing..
Here is my 1st welds. THe one on the seam was my very first, and the setting was too hot. The second one, not on the seam, is just below it. Now I need to get more metal. THe second picture is of my inherited welder.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 4
From: Fairview Heights Illinois, near Saint Louis MO, STL C3 Shark
Cool, I have a little more flat surface area to practice on then!! I forgot how much fun it is. That lower bead isn't too bad, I thought. But I know the one along the seam wasn't good.
How clean of an arc weld can you get? any pics? I showed mine
How clean of an arc weld can you get? any pics? I showed mine
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,131
Likes: 4
From: May help you? You can sure as hell try!
"Better to have welded and forgot than to never have welded at all."
I think Shakespear said that...or maybe I just made it up.
Those welds look a heck of a lot better than the welds the General (or more correctly, A.O. Smith) used to put my Corvette frame together!!
I think Shakespear said that...or maybe I just made it up.
Those welds look a heck of a lot better than the welds the General (or more correctly, A.O. Smith) used to put my Corvette frame together!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,150
Likes: 154
Originally Posted by Brown78
Those sticks are called rods "Welding Rods" If your mechine is A/C only you can use 7024 welding rods. They run good too.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 4
From: Fairview Heights Illinois, near Saint Louis MO, STL C3 Shark
hmmm. Okay. I'll stick with 6013 - I've got a 5 lb box anyway - it should last me at least a little while. I did do my first real welding applciation the other day. My original alternator bracket had cracked. Sooo, I welded the crack, ground it down etc. Just need to paint it and re-install!!! - pics forthcoming.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 847
Likes: 0
From: Des Allemands LA
Just a little info for the next time you buy rods-
The first two numbers are the strength of the rods 6013 is 60,000 pounds a square inch of weld metal. The third number is the position the rod is to be used in 6013 1=any position 2 would be flat only. The last number is the flux used on the rod. A 6010 or 6011 will do about the same job as your 6013 but they do have a little more splatter when welding. Also remember to use an oscillating or jacking motion when welding with the rods you have. This is a nutshell version, but it still gives you an idea. By the way if you feel the need for higher strength, use a 7018 and make sure the area is clean and the rods stay COMPLETELY dry. These are low hydrogen rods and as we all know water is two parts hydrogen so if the rods get wet it's a good chance your welds will crack.
ltlevil
The first two numbers are the strength of the rods 6013 is 60,000 pounds a square inch of weld metal. The third number is the position the rod is to be used in 6013 1=any position 2 would be flat only. The last number is the flux used on the rod. A 6010 or 6011 will do about the same job as your 6013 but they do have a little more splatter when welding. Also remember to use an oscillating or jacking motion when welding with the rods you have. This is a nutshell version, but it still gives you an idea. By the way if you feel the need for higher strength, use a 7018 and make sure the area is clean and the rods stay COMPLETELY dry. These are low hydrogen rods and as we all know water is two parts hydrogen so if the rods get wet it's a good chance your welds will crack.
ltlevil
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 88,393
Likes: 2
From: eville in
Originally Posted by ruby76
hmmm. Okay. I'll stick with 6013 - I've got a 5 lb box anyway - it should last me at least a little while. I did do my first real welding applciation the other day. My original alternator bracket had cracked. Sooo, I welded the crack, ground it down etc. Just need to paint it and re-install!!! - pics forthcoming.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 4
From: Fairview Heights Illinois, near Saint Louis MO, STL C3 Shark
here is my repaired - before paint - alternator bracket. IT was broken on the upper part of the slot. You can kind of tell where the weld bead was on the upper/inside part.
