/diy/ - Do It Yourself

>>2414354
>Is this an arc or a MIG welder?
No. The wire has has the flux in it
>Is this good enough to weld a thick metal pole to a large steel beam?
Not really, it's way too weak for that. The welding rod depends on the thiccness of the metal being welded, so if you are wedling something more than 1cm thicc, your rod must be about 6mm. 6mm rod means atleast 200 amps. What you have inb your pc is for basic home stuff, like welding sheetmetal or fixing your car's sidesckirt - it's a hobby welder.Wouldn't recommend it for anything more than a 4-5mm thicc.Pic related is also kinda shit, but it's cheap and more to suited for the work your planning. Also it's easier to learn to weld with a rod than a spool.
>Can this weld a rail to a steal beam?
Probably - turn up to maybe 60 amps and use a 0,8мм wire. A warning that some of these come with a 0,6mm nozzle, so check the manual first if it would accept the thicker wire.Most nozzles can be changed.
>Should I always wire brush before welding or does it matter?
doesn't really matter honestly. The place where you clamp the mass should be bare metal for good connection
>Are most auto dimo welding helmets good for this type of welder?
Yes, they "work"
>Any general tips would also be appreciated
Find two pieces of scrap and start practicing small short taps at first, then try to make beads of about 2cm long. You gotta keep moving with the wire, so find out which speed is easier for you and work with that.