Welding basics

[itbrokeagain]

For those that have a welder but no idea how to use it, how do you start? Where do you set the dials?
Any other info is always appreciated.

:confused:

[fabricator]

What kind of welder?
mig
stick
tig

[jfiscus]

I set it all over the place and tried it with different materials/rods. After I found what worked best that's how I (try to) set it.

[JET455]

Burn it till it holds!!! :D


JK


You need to practice and get used to the welder try different settings etc..

[fredrader]

Here is the way mine were set last time I used them..The AirCo is a 230Amp Arc welder and the Lincoln is the 175Amp Mig..Both are 230volt machines..
Click on the pic for a larger view..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/Fred12345/Pics/th_Pics039.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/Fred12345/Pics/Pics039.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/Fred12345/Pics/th_Pics040.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/Fred12345/Pics/Pics040.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/Fred12345/Pics/th_Pics041.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/Fred12345/Pics/Pics041.jpg)

[itbrokeagain]

Well right now I have a 110 clark mig with flux core but no idea where to start.

[JeffK5]

Get you a bunch of 1/8-1/4 inch plate , clean and prep your area to be welded and start making some test pieces. Learn what each power/wire speed setting does to the "look" of the weld , learn how important gun angle and position is as well as direction.

[94Dodge Truggy]

Never weld with your battery connected :( in your vehicle and you may want to disconnect the computer too:o

[GPER]

Here is a good bb for welding questions and projects.
http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtalk/index.php

[itbrokeagain]

Never weld with your battery connected in your vehicle and you may want to disconnect the computer too



Just recently we used my Jeep and several batteries to weld on the trail with some jumper cables and we didnt have any issues.

[jfiscus]

Never weld with your battery connected :( in your vehicle and you may want to disconnect the computer too:o

I know you've had problems (that was you tha thad to get a whole new harness, right?) but I have been welding on my & my buddys Jeeps for a while now w/o disconnecting anything. I just make sure I got a good ground very close to where I'm welding.

[carwash]

999 time out of 1000 you won't have any issue, but that 1 in the 1000 is a costly one. There is a reason that the first line of any repair in any haynes manual starts with "disconnect the positive cable of the batter."

[GPER]

I thought of this thread yesterday at work after I saw the mechanic welding something while it was sitting on the back of his truck.

Just wondering if the welder sitting on the truck made a difference or not. I have a battery shut off so I try to turn it off when I weld on mine. I have stuck an arc on it without the battery disconected, but would rather be safe than sorry.

[fabricator]

if you are trying to mig weld;
you should try to push the puddle
-better looking weld is the main reason,
-most people push for sheetmetal,pull for plate steel
-it is easier to control,
-see your work while welding is better in my opinion

and if you ever go and try to get a mig welding job
and you pull the puddle, well you won't get the job
unless it is flux core wire
decent article below
http://www.customrodder.com/tech/0605cr_pull_the_trigger/index.html

[fabricator]

looks like this video mite help
i had the volume turned down
not sure what he said
he has other video's
http://www.expertvillage.com/videos/mig-welding-lap-joint.htm