always interested in learning welding but no real reason to,so I spose the reason would be to know how to weld.plus I always wanted to build a go kart and haven’t done that. Possibly a better use of money and learn skill set is buy cheap mig rather than pay a guy? What say you,
*special request- a funny image in your response would be swell!
Yes MIG (GMAW now) is the easiest to learn. Assuming you are looking to weld mild steel, you will only need a DC machine which is the cheaper ones. machines that can weld AC (mostly for aluminum) as well cost a lot more. Everlast generators makes decent hobby machines for not terrible prices. You will probably need something around 150amps to do anything meaningful at all. But i would go with at least a 200 amp machine if you can. There is nothing wrong with using gasless flux cored wire, however, I would recommend using ER70S6 (regular hardwire) with at the very least 75/25 Argon/Co2 gas mix. You can use pure Co2, but your spatter situations will be horrendous. The more Argon the better. But not 100% argon, thats for TIG (GTAW). I don’t like using anything less than .035” wire, so I can’t give any tips on how to set a machine for smaller wire, but roughly around 18.0v and 180-200 wfs is a good place to start for anything thicker than 1/8” material.
[ - ] MasterAce [op] 1 point 2.6 yearsOct 6, 2022 10:08:42 ago (+1/-0)
Well sir, that was well thought out reply, thanks for that. I do think I need to stick w/flux core for simplicity sake.appreciate you sharing your knowledge.
Can you cut metal? Do you have a saw that can cut a steel tube? The kind that runs lubricants to prevent the blade from getting too hot? You need to be able to cut and assemble your pieces before you weld them. It’s the first step before you start welding. Just saying.
Edit: this is not a challenge, it was the step I didn’t think about before welding.
[ - ] zongongo 1 point 2.6 yearsOct 6, 2022 13:10:18 ago (+1/-0)
Get an oxy acetylene torch set up first. Learn the two handed method. Torch in one hand, filler wire added with the other. You'll also have cutting capability. Then get a Lincoln arc welder, (stick)(SMAW) (Shielded metal arc welding) Get one that can do AC and DC. Horizontal band saw and you're good for steel. If you want to do aluminum and/or stainless, you'll need a tig welder. Old school, my experience goes back to the 80's - 90's.
This is super good advice and much appreciate you taking the time to put it all down for me. But it seems more geared for someone who wants to be a welder and I’m just some dude that wants to be able to make a go kart or the odd metal repair/connection. Thanks for joining the conversation tho definitely makes this a better post.
[ + ] lord_nougat
[ - ] lord_nougat 3 points 2.6 yearsOct 6, 2022 02:32:18 ago (+3/-0)
[ + ] MasterAce
[ - ] MasterAce [op] 2 points 2.6 yearsOct 6, 2022 02:39:33 ago (+2/-0)
[ + ] Thyhorrorcosmic103
[ - ] Thyhorrorcosmic103 2 points 2.6 yearsOct 6, 2022 04:39:33 ago (+2/-0)
Assuming you are looking to weld mild steel, you will only need a DC machine which is the cheaper ones. machines that can weld AC (mostly for aluminum) as well cost a lot more. Everlast generators makes decent hobby machines for not terrible prices. You will probably need something around 150amps to do anything meaningful at all. But i would go with at least a 200 amp machine if you can.
There is nothing wrong with using gasless flux cored wire, however, I would recommend using ER70S6 (regular hardwire) with at the very least 75/25 Argon/Co2 gas mix. You can use pure Co2, but your spatter situations will be horrendous. The more Argon the better. But not 100% argon, thats for TIG (GTAW).
I don’t like using anything less than .035” wire, so I can’t give any tips on how to set a machine for smaller wire, but roughly around 18.0v and 180-200 wfs is a good place to start for anything thicker than 1/8” material.
[ + ] MasterAce
[ - ] MasterAce [op] 1 point 2.6 yearsOct 6, 2022 10:08:42 ago (+1/-0)
I do think I need to stick w/flux core for simplicity sake.appreciate you sharing your knowledge.
[ + ] Portmanure
[ - ] Portmanure 2 points 2.6 yearsOct 6, 2022 01:59:44 ago (+2/-0)
Edit: this is not a challenge, it was the step I didn’t think about before welding.
[ + ] MasterAce
[ - ] MasterAce [op] 1 point 2.6 yearsOct 6, 2022 02:34:45 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] Portmanure
[ - ] Portmanure 1 point 2.6 yearsOct 6, 2022 02:37:34 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] MasterAce
[ - ] MasterAce [op] 0 points 2.6 yearsOct 7, 2022 00:58:13 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] zongongo
[ - ] zongongo 1 point 2.6 yearsOct 6, 2022 13:10:18 ago (+1/-0)
You'll also have cutting capability.
Then get a Lincoln arc welder, (stick)(SMAW)
(Shielded metal arc welding)
Get one that can do AC and DC.
Horizontal band saw and you're good for steel.
If you want to do aluminum and/or stainless, you'll need a tig welder.
Old school, my experience goes back to the 80's - 90's.
[ + ] MasterAce
[ - ] MasterAce [op] 0 points 2.6 yearsOct 7, 2022 01:01:32 ago (+0/-0)
Thanks for joining the conversation tho definitely makes this a better post.
[ + ] Ozark
[ - ] Ozark 1 point 2.6 yearsOct 6, 2022 02:24:07 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] MasterAce
[ - ] MasterAce [op] 0 points 2.6 yearsOct 6, 2022 02:32:39 ago (+0/-0)