Welding basics
 

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:

What kind of welder?
mig
stick
tig

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.

Burn it till it holds!!! :D


JK


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

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/v2...th_Pics039.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...th_Pics040.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...th_Pics041.jpg

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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."

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.

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/060...ger/index.html

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/...-lap-joint.htm