New guy taking a class - just some observations

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I may update this thread over the next two weeks as I progress through a 50hr welding class...  If anyone has any advice, suggestions, or comments, please feel free to leave them.  I'm on a learning journey and welcome feedback.So I've only been on the forum a few months, and started my welding journey by teaching myself with a Harbor Freight Titanium 125 flux core only machine.  I wanted to learn more so I enrolled in a little 50 hr class at a local vocational school.  It started 2 days ago.  6hrs a day for 2 weeks.  It will mainly focus on stick and mig welding, with a little touch on tig and aluminum for anyone who wants to dabble with that.  We are starting with stick.  WOW... what a an eye opener... lol.  My arms are sore after only 2 days.  LOL.  We've just been using 6010 rods on a Lincoln box, practicing on 1/4" plate at about 105 amps.  Basically just learning to strike an arc consistently, work on speed, and getting familiar with everything.  It's not as easy at it looks... at least for me.  I'm getting fairly comfortable with the "whip and pause", but still not as consistent as I'd like to be.  Just going to take me a lot of time in the seat, so to speak to get there.  A lot more rods to burn through, lol.  My instructor said he's going to move me to 7018 rods today, so we'll see how that goes.  Observations so far:1. Plasma cutters are freaking awesome.  Beats the heck out of an angle grinder/cutoff wheel.  LOL2. Sticking rods is frustrating3. I much prefer a mig gun and always being close to my work, as opposed to having my hands far from my weld.4. If your jeans are frayed at the bottom of the leg, they can (and will) catch on fire.  


Reply:Welcome to the group  Dave

Originally Posted by LittleTreeGuy

I may update this thread over the next two weeks as I progress through a 50hr welding class...  If anyone has any advice, suggestions, or comments, please feel free to leave them.  I'm on a learning journey and welcome feedback.So I've only been on the forum a few months, and started my welding journey by teaching myself with a Harbor Freight Titanium 125 flux core only machine.  I wanted to learn more so I enrolled in a little 50 hr class at a local vocational school.  It started 2 days ago.  6hrs a day for 2 weeks.  It will mainly focus on stick and mig welding, with a little touch on tig and aluminum for anyone who wants to dabble with that.  We are starting with stick.  WOW... what a an eye opener... lol.  My arms are sore after only 2 days.  LOL.  We've just been using 6010 rods on a Lincoln box, practicing on 1/4" plate at about 105 amps.  Basically just learning to strike an arc consistently, work on speed, and getting familiar with everything.  It's not as easy at it looks... at least for me.  I'm getting fairly comfortable with the "whip and pause", but still not as consistent as I'd like to be.  Just going to take me a lot of time in the seat, so to speak to get there.  A lot more rods to burn through, lol.  My instructor said he's going to move me to 7018 rods today, so we'll see how that goes.  Observations so far:1. Plasma cutters are freaking awesome.  Beats the heck out of an angle grinder/cutoff wheel.  LOL2. Sticking rods is frustrating3. I much prefer a mig gun and always being close to my work, as opposed to having my hands far from my weld.4. If your jeans are frayed at the bottom of the leg, they can (and will) catch on fire.  


Reply:My entry into stick welding was in high school.  I kept having a problem with sticking the rod.  Instructor simply said to turn up the Juice.  Another thing that can help is to try practicing striking the rod like a match by rotating your wrist in a circular motion “very rapidly” while keeping the rod away from the material.  Then slowly lower the rod little by little until you are able to just barely scratch the surface and have the rod spark the electrical contact and light up.  Once the rod is burning practice long arc and short arc.  Long arc strikes can prevent the rod from sticking upon light up.  Practice practice practice.  7018 is fun to learn especially if you are running too cold and still having issues sticking the rod.Lincoln, ESAB, Thermal Dynamics, Victor, Miller, Dewalt, Makita, Kalamzoo.  Hand tools, power tools, welding and cutting tools.
Reply:E7018 works best on a good DC welder. Dave

Originally Posted by N2 Welding

My entry into stick welding was in high school.  I kept having a problem with sticking the rod.  Instructor simply said to turn up the Juice.  Another thing that can help is to try practicing striking the rod like a match by rotating your wrist in a circular motion “very rapidly” while keeping the rod away from the material.  Then slowly lower the rod little by little until you are able to just barely scratch the surface and have the rod spark the electrical contact and light up.  Once the rod is burning practice long arc and short arc.  Long arc strikes can prevent the rod from sticking upon light up.  Practice practice practice.  7018 is fun to learn especially if you are running too cold and still having issues sticking the rod.
Reply:

Originally Posted by smithdoor

E7018 works best on a good DC welder. Dave
Reply:All welding I done I not had arc blow or just adjust my anc did not notice the arc blow. Dave

Originally Posted by N2 Welding

Until you get arc blow :/. Wait is arc blow even a thing with stick welding?  I’ve encountered it a couple of times with Mig while using the DC only Rebel.
Reply:

Originally Posted by N2 Welding

My entry into stick welding was in high school.  I kept having a problem with sticking the rod.  Instructor simply said to turn up the Juice.  Another thing that can help is to try practicing striking the rod like a match by rotating your wrist in a circular motion “very rapidly” while keeping the rod away from the material.  Then slowly lower the rod little by little until you are able to just barely scratch the surface and have the rod spark the electrical contact and light up.  Once the rod is burning practice long arc and short arc.  Long arc strikes can prevent the rod from sticking upon light up.  Practice practice practice.  7018 is fun to learn especially if you are running too cold and still having issues sticking the rod.
Reply:

Originally Posted by CAVEMANN

Why do you think they call it "stick" welding!