/diy/ - Do It Yourself

>>2414354
You should have asked these questions before spending money on a welder

>>2414359
I didn't spend money my boss bought it for me
I did buy a helmet but I could always return that, as well as the welder itself

>>2414354
>Is this an arc or a MIG welder?
Flux core
>Is this good enough to weld a thick metal pole to a large steel beam?
How thick? Maybe if you bevel.
Maybe stick would be more appropriate
>Can this weld a rail to a steal beam?
Yeah? Anything carbon steel would be ok.
>Should I always wire brush before welding or does it matter?
I think flux core doesn't really care as much about cleanliness, but you should always clean your metals before welding.
>Is it safe to hold the welding base while welding (I will be up on a ladder )
Yes?
>Are most auto dimo welding helmets good for this type of welder?
I hate auto dim hoods, cant say anything.
>Any general tips would also be appreciated
Not gonna make it. Get scrap metal and practice. It is not hot metal glue gun.

>>2414354
>Is this an arc or a MIG welder?
mig
>>2414354
>Are most auto dimo welding helmets good for this type of welder?
yes
>>2414372
>Not gonna make it. Get scrap metal and practice. It is not hot metal glue gun.
it literally is a metal glue gun and easy as fuck for retards to use

>>2414354
>Is this good enough to weld a thick metal pole to a large steel beam?
>Can this weld a rail to a steal beam?
How thick? You're not going to get much penetration with 125 amps max

>>2414354
It's an FCAW, not a MIG or stick. Read about FCAW on welding forum and watch videos. That little thing is for very light work at best.

>Is this good enough to weld a thick metal pole to a large steel beam? Can this weld a rail to a steal beam?

It's not for any sort of safety related joint in the EU or US but thirdies gonna third and the videos give meaning to their deaths. These little shits are what people totally ignorant of welding buy.

Don't kink the gun cable. Do buy an angle grinder and flap discs and a fucking face shield for grinding.

>Should I always wire brush before welding or does it matter?

That lil' feller needs every advantage. A cupped knotted wire wheel along with some flap discs (if your boss is wise he'll buy you a 6" corded grinder so you can use 6" cutoff wheels which are glorious for cutting almost everything, Makita make good ones) will make your life much easier.

>>2414387
>it literally is a metal glue gun and easy as fuck for retards to use
if you want to leave birdshit on metal that is just as strong as shitty solder - yes.

>>2414372
>How thick? Maybe if you bevel.
I didn't even get out to inspect the job myself, I'm told the beam is over an inch, potentially multiple and the pole is probably no more than 3/8ths thick hollow, pic related
>Not gonna make it. Get scrap metal and practice. It is not hot metal glue gun.
Appreciate it, I start actual practice on monday after I help a relative move, today is a research day and this weekend I have to rip up and re-shingle a roof in 90+ heat
Just need to be able to do about 4 tack welds by the end of the week

>>2414399
pic related is all three parts that need to be welded, pole on the right, steel beam on top of a thin rail
I was told the raid is probably about 3/8ths inch thick max, steel beam is solid and pole is likely hollow. I don't even know what materials they are, I'm guessing steel. They were already welded in the past but just need some tack welds to keep in place

>>2414400
We have plenty of angle grinders, though this doesn't need to be a pretty weld at all and as far as I''ve been told the weld doesnt even need to be strong, you can hold the rail up easily and the pole-to-beam weld is just to keep them from knocking together
>It's an FCAW, not a MIG or stick
Thank you, I will do that

>>2414372
>How thick? Maybe if you bevel.
I didn't even get out to inspect the job myself, I'm told the beam is over an inch, potentially multiple and the pole is probably no more than 3/8ths thick hollow, pic related
>Not gonna make it. Get scrap metal and practice. It is not hot metal glue gun.
Appreciate it, I start actual practice on monday after I help a relative move, today is a research day and this weekend I have to rip up and re-shingle a roof in 90+ heat
Just need to be able to do about 4 tack welds by the end of the week

>>2414399
pic related is all three parts that need to be welded, pole on the right, steel beam on top of a thin rail
I was told the raid is probably about 3/8ths inch thick max, steel beam is solid and pole is likely hollow. I don't even know what materials they are, I'm guessing steel. They were already welded in the past but just need some tack welds to keep in place

>>2414400
We have plenty of angle grinders, though this doesn't need to be a pretty weld at all and as far as I''ve been told the weld doesnt even need to be strong, you can hold the rail up easily and the pole-to-beam weld is just to keep them from knocking together
>It's an FCAW, not a MIG or stick
Thank you, I will do that.

>>2414354
It's always stunning how many tards respond to obvious bait like this.

>>2414504
fuck you!

>>2414504
Not nearly as stunning as the regularuty with which somone always chimes in to attempt to assert his intellectual superiority for recognizing the "obvious" bait, while adding nothing of value or offering any evidence that the post in question was fake besides his unsubstantiated assessment.

>>2414504
Meh, it could be really a dude that thinks welding is a hot glue gun basically.

>>2414519
Your butthurt is your problem, not ours.

>>2414537
>nooo you cant buy a welder and get paid without lessons

>>2414537
I'm sure there are people every day who get given a welded and told to go weld that with zero experience

>>2414504
>Which type of wire should I use for the aforementioned welds?
Its not good bait, the guy is asking basic and dumb questions, but the same sort of questions everyone asks when buying their first welder. He just happened to buy the welder first.

>>2414413
Flux core machine, only buy "Flux Core" wire. It comes with .030, but .035 will be better.
If you DO buy .035 wire, you will have to buy .035 gun tips to put on your gun, harbor freight sells them all in the welding section.

I dont care that they say it doesnt have to be a strong weld, its already broken once before, and your welder is underpowered for it.
You need to go up there and do multi-pass welding.

When doing practice and learning the basics, look up some videos on how to do multipass welding.
And yes, you want to clean the weld before and after with a wire brush. You should try to clean before a second or third pass.

Its going to work fine though, and thats a pretty decent welder for a beginner.

>>2414556
Um... That is not what I meant.
People think that welding is kinda like hot glue gun (especially MIG or FCAW), but in reality it is a bit more complicated and thus this thread isnt a bait but a legit question.
>>2414564
Judging by some welds - probably. And im not talking about shit that failed xray or bend test, im talking about hairy welds on exhausts and such

>>2414595
>its already broken once before
it broke because somebody drove a forklift through the gate

>When doing practice and learning the basics, look up some videos on how to do multipass welding.
definitely will, thanks

>>2414564
>I'm sure there are people every day who get given a welded and told to go weld that with zero experience
My boss literally wanted me to do the weld yesterday before even buying me the welder just winging it

>>2414601
My girlfriend who welds just told me that its kind of like a hot glue gun (she stick welds)

>>2414985
carolyn isnt a welder dude

>>2414985
Hot glue is a hot glue. (fills imperfections on the surface and grips into them)
Soldering is soldering. (makes thin intermetalic alloy, e.g. Sn-Cu)
Brazing is soldering on steroids (makes same shit, except melting point is way higher).
Welding is welding (base metal is molten and alloyed with filler metal).

Most obvious example of welding would be tig or oxy-acetelyne. Because you have filler, you have puddle, you move puddle etc.
Stick is kinda obvious too, especially with cellulose or basic rods as puddle is kinda exposed to view and you're still feeding shit in manually.
MIG is not so obvious, because you don't feed it manually, machine does it for you.

So yes. Welding is not a hot glue gun. If your welds are hot glue - it means your welds are shit, because it didn't penetrate and mix with base material.
Is it hard to weld? Hell fucking no. If room temperature retards (celsius) can do it, anyone with hands and eyes can do it.

>>2414413
Are you welding galvanized??? That shit is toxic if you weld it. You need to make sure you remove the galvanized coating near the welding area with a flap wheel.

>>2414354
>Is this an arc or a MIG welder?
neither, it's a flux core welder
>Is this good enough to weld a thick metal pole to a large steel beam?
is any of it hollow? how thick are you talking about? what kind of steel? what kind of metal is the pole?
>Which type of wire should I use for the aforementioned welds?
the free roll you get with the machine. you shouldn't need more than that
>Should I always wire brush before welding or does it matter?
welding is 75% prep work. you need to brush any debris off the welding area, clean it with some kind of solvent, remove the solvent, let it dry, then weld. make sure you remove the stock finish as well. if it's a big object, grinding a 45 degree chamfer is a great idea. make sure it's about .125"
>Is it safe to hold the welding base while welding (I will be up on a ladder )
make sure your hand is in a glove and not in the path of the electricity, that's the best advice i think anyone can give for that less-than-subpar situation
>Are most auto dimo welding helmets good for this type of welder?
get the adjustable one that is also from harbor freight. read the manual and see what shade you need for the setting you have on the welder.
>Any general tips would also be appreciated
do more research next time, and if you manage to get the job done with this, return it and get what you need for future projects. you don't want to be handicapped by a shit welder. you should get a bunch of shitty junk steel, or even buy flat stock new, and weld it to get practice in. you will need a steady hand for the job.

>>2415450
>is any of it hollow? how thick are you talking about? what kind of steel? what kind of metal is the pole?
>>2414413
>>2415425
this pic is basically all the information I got on the metal

>do more research next time, and if you manage to get the job done with this, return it and get what you need for future projects. you don't want to be handicapped by a shit welder.
I am a jack of all trades, I do construction, demolition, repair, carpentry, masonry, plumbing, electrical, painting, basically anything that needs to be done I do it, this is just another tool in my belt and I don't expect to use it very often. From what I read it's ideal for outdoor welds on dirty material, so this welder is probably perfect for me right now

>>2415497
Just don't buy it then turn up to the job site having never even plugged it in and expect to be able to finish the job to any decent standard. There's many variables you need to experience and account for before you start arcing up on the actual work piece.

>>2414354
FWIW, all the different standard welding machines are “arc welders”. You are creating a weld through arcing electricity.
It’s not specific to any welding process though I commonly see people giving the name to stick welders.

Your welder is flux core only. You use welding wire which has shielding flux inside of the wire
MIG works the same way feeding a wire through a gun, except the machine and lead have an air hose hookup so you can use a bottle of shielding gas. You use solid wire and shield by shooting gas out of the gun instead

MIG machines can run flux core with go gas if they want, it’ll work fine
If you buy solid core wire meant for mig, it’ll shoot out of the gun and arc, but without any shielding you will get horrific terrible welds

Most people used to hear Fluxcore and think “MIG” because it is a type of wire you throw in your MIG machine when you wanted to move around, weld in a field with a lot of wind or something.
Now they have made welding machines by cutting all costs, even removing the air hose hookups to make the welder cheaper.
It’s stripped all the way down to literal bare bones, but that’s why that welder is so cheap.

If you're welding galvanized, find videos on welding galvanized. Don't breath that shit in! And clean/ grind away the galvanized coating as best you can. This includes where your ground clamp connects to the piece. For a jack of all trades, you seem ill prepared and over confident. If any welding your going to be liable for is load bearing, you should have a serious talk with the people paying you and explain to them you have no experience. Just my .02

>>2414354
>Any general tips would also be appreciated
Get good insurance for the fuckup you're about to make

>>2416198
I could JB weld this if I wanted and there is no threat of hurting anything if it fails

>>2414354
this has to be bait lmfao

>>2414387
>>mig
what the fuck are you smoking, where's the gas

>>2417376
OP here, I actually practiced with a guy whose family has been welding for generations and he also called it a MIG

I have this welder. It comes with a strap so you won't have to hold it.

>>2417376
The flux, dumb dumb.

>>2417402
Well he's wrong, it needs gas to be mig
>>2417467
flux removes oxidisation, gas prevents oxidisation. Two completely different things

>>2417464
how do you attach the strap? I couldnt figure that out yesterday

>>2414405
dont you use antispatter spray you absolute retard?

>>2418844
I'm not talking about couple bbs here and there.
I'm talking about smht like this.
Without practice all welds will look like this no matter the process.

>>2417402
>he also called it a MIG
Metal Inert Gas welding, aka using Inert Gas to shield your metal.

>>2417467
Flux isnt an inert gas, hence the FCAW designation, as opposed to GMAW designation.

>>2418846
Are we sure that's a weld and not the designated shitting fence?

>>2414413
>as far as I''ve been told the weld doesnt even need to be strong

The clueless fuck who gave you the job and an inappropriate welder told you that. If it doesn't need to be a good weld why does it need to be welded at all? (Thought exercise, don't ask your insane boss.) Do it right for your own sake because if something bad happens your idiot boss will blame you.

Clean the surfaces properly and don't try to get around that as it's easy to make dangerously weak "cold" wire welds on poor surfaces. Torch preheat helps too.

>>2414556
You damn sure should practice in a professional manner and that means many hours before doing work and actual study not bubba shit.

>>2415418
Huh. Thanks for those explanations, I've always wondered how those metal bonding techniques differed on the physical level.

job is tomorrow will update
im actually worried I will burn through the material more than anything after some practice

>>2421014
If noone is ever gonna inspect your work then hit it with a hammer, if it holds, good enough

>>2421021
is a chipping hammer good enough

>>2421014
post pics
im sure youll do good friend

>>2421026
No

>>2421014
>im actually worried I will burn through the material more than anything after some practice
Have you practiced on scrap yet?
>>2421462
Depends how hard you hit.

>>2421395
sorry I totally forgot about this thread, it's been a busy last few days

>>2422510
I was obviously too fast but after seeing what was already up there I am way more confident in my welds

>>2417467
you are a retarded gorilla nigger

>>2414985
why are you listening to a woman about man's work

>>2422513
>>2422510
nigga wtf i took a single welding 101 class at a community college and I can do better than this

>>2422510
>>2422513
Itll hold

>>2422523
I practiced twice for a couple of hours, once with a drunk welder and the other completely alone

>>2422526
I guess its not so bad if thats literally all the experience you've had

>>2422524
This and another similar weld were the only things keeping up this long section of railing to the beam
don't get it confused with the literal bird shit nearby
yeah I'm confident my welds will hold better than that
yes that is the wire still sticking out of it however many years later

>>2422529
My boss bought me the welder about a week and a half ago
before then I knew almost nothing about welding, I didn't even knew wire welding was a thing

>>2422510
>>2422513
I've seen worse.
But here is a problem. You still don't see the puddle. Or shit isnt hot enough, dunno, as I am not particularly familiar with flux-core, just stick.
now u have a welder, which means now you will have more "friends" to weld their shitty chair or idk.

>>2422576
Also, what's the matter with spatter? Is flux-core this spattery in general? Because I think that even 6010 stick doesn't spatter as badly, let alone 7018 or 6013.

>>2422576
>You still don't see the puddle
you're right I don't, I use the length of the stick to determine where the puddle is
The only thing I was afraid of was burning through the railing which I avoided and the gate held and withstood me climbing and jumping on it
>>2422578
I mean I'm not a professional but it has always been very splattery regardless of the settings I use, it seems like the more splatter the better my welds are.

>>2422579
>you're right I don't, I use the length of the stick to determine where the puddle is
Eventually you will see the puddle and you will be able to tell where is metal and where is slag.
>it has always been very splattery regardless of the settings I use, it seems like the more splatter the better my welds are.
I guess it is just splattery in general.

>>2422583
>>Eventually you will see the puddle and you will be able to tell where is metal and where is slag.
Do you have any tips? Is it a power/setting thing or a feel thing?

>>2422578
>Is flux-core this spattery in general?
It is the absolute worst
Using anti splatter spray is a must

>>2422584
>Do you have any tips?
Not really. Well, bright is metal and non-so-bright is slag I guess. Arc force is kinda pushing slag into the back of the weld puddle.
I can't find good flux-core arc shots. But here is a stick weld puddle. Same shit I think, molten metal and slag is molten metal.
>Is it a power/setting thing or a feel thing?
Feel thing. Which allows you to set voltage/wirespeed I guess. Or current in case of stick.

>>2422593
Thank you for the advice I will try to keep it in mind
My view is a lot more fucky and dark than that, the only time I ever see the puddle that clearly is when I am burning through my material

>>2422595
>My view is a lot more fucky and dark than that,
Yes. I have no idea how that dude got arc shots that crisp.
You can play around with shade setting (if your hood has one), or install different filters (if it is a manual mask).
>the only time I ever see the puddle that clearly is when I am burning through my material
Welding thin stuff is always like this. Either you burn holes or get lack of fusion and bugholes. Key is to move fast.

>>2422598
I have an auto dimming that is 5-13 I think
I usually use 9 which I think is even one below recommended for FCAW

>>2422602
Depends on current. So maybe you can go lower.
But in case your eyes itch when you sleep - you fucked up and you need to go back to darker setting

>>2422602
Common and not a problem. UV protection is provided at any setting and not to be confused with anything else. 9 is common and I've used it for decades.

If you don't visit welding forums (inherently superior to 4chan) fucking start. You will thank me later. The concentration of information is simply superior.

>>2418846
You're fired.

>>2414354
You take a job you know Jack shit about? You fuck it up for All the trade you cunt!

>>2425384
It went flawlessly though
I am confident in my ability for good reason

>>2414354
that is fcaw
you can do 1/4 inch
maybe more in multiple passes.

>>2414354
It's a cheap ass flux welder, like having stick flux on mig wire. Usually shit if not dual shielded.

>>2414354

Should have gotten an arc welder.

>>2426768
it is an arc welder

>>2422530
that 1 inch of weld can support up to 1 ton

>>2427820
It didn't even look connected..

>>2414413
Return the welder and get something serious--it's not up for this job.

Also, welding galvanized requires careful attention to selecting filler metal and respiratory safety.

>>2430436
I already did the job like 2 weeks ago and it went fine

>>2418846
Looks kind of like the welds my uncle got when he hired a mexican to build him an arbor. Someday it's going to fall down and kill someone. The mexican will be long dead because he built it out of galvanized unistrut and spent all day breathing fumes.

I'm going to ask here because I thought we had a welding general on this board but either it's gone or I'm retarded and can't find it.

>I want to get a TIG welder because I love doing TIG work
>Made a trade with someone recently who asked if I could repair his gun as a side job
>Haven't picked up the welder yet, but this is kind of pushing me to pulling the trigger
>I want to work on aluminum, so I'm going to want an AC Tig rig
>I'm not finding a multiprocess welder that supports AC Tig

So I guess the solution to this is to get a dedicated TIG welder, and a Stick/MIG multiprocess welder? Solution as in if I start actively looking for side jobs. I really only want to do TIG, but I won't pass up an opportunity to get more practice in and work around different metals.

>>2431444
Separate machines are the usual choice. Decide how many amps you want after research since aluminum likes amps.

Your TIG machine will of course do stick after swapping the torch for a stinger.

What other equipment do you have? For example an OA/OP torch does useful things like preheat, torch bend, gas weld (teaches puddle control and most who like TIG are comfy with OA), cut and can weld the very smallest work (jewelry) with a suitable torch.

Where do you live? That affects what brands to buy.

>>2431646
>What other equipment do you have?
Currently just an angle grinder. Every time I did any welding it was with a company that provided the equipment so I never had a reason to own my own set up.
>Where do you live?
Texas

I've been saving up to buy this stuff for a long time, but I'm not sure if I should buy a utility trailer first. I figure with a little portable TIG welder I won't need a trailer, and I can store that and a torch in my apartment when not in use. This gets a bit harder when I start getting equipment that weighs a fuck ton.

ASME certified welder here.

That thing is a pile of shit. Flux core MIG is a gigantic pain in the ass. Get a stick welder. Lincoln, Miller, and Hobart make decent ones. If it isn't 240v, send it back.

Use 6010, 6011, 7016, or 7018.

>>2431765
What about 6013?

>>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.

>>2431991
forgot one
>Is it safe to hold the welding base while welding (I will be up on a ladder )
Do NOT hold between tha mass and the rod/wire. Clamp the mass at the front and move the welders nozzle backwards.

>>2422510
>>2422513
Increase the amperage a bit

>>2414564
My boss is literally like this

>>2414354
>Is it safe to hold the welding base while welding (I will be up on a ladder )

If you are wearing (dry) welding gloves you're good, and it's stupid not to use hand protection since it makes you more efficient. In welding know everything is hot and wants to hurt you then act accordingly.