custom s10

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Just got a new welder for my s10 project hand wanted to know whatever you think of my welds. I have little experience and have about 10 minutes on this machine. Go easy but tell me where to improve.
Reply:clean the metal until it is shiny, trust me the mig welds will love it. And what is the project your doing?
Reply:+1 on the cleaning.  Dirty or havingmill scale is bad enough, but that's some serious rust you're trying to weld through.
Reply:Think clean! you will get stronger better welds with a mig machine if you weld clean metal.Get yourself a 4" grinder and a couple of flap wheels and clean stuff up before you weld it. Other than that your welds look pretty good.
Reply:The picture is upside down! keep practicing and learn to clean.I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:So what are your plans for this little truck? I hope your not going to make it look like it's dragging the frame on the ground like some I've seen. Seems like such a waste of a decent little truck.
Reply:STEP AWAY FROM THE TRUCK SIR!Ok, This "Just got a new welder for my s10 project" and this "I have little experience and have about 10 minutes on this machine." Should not be in the same sentence. You need to be able to do certifiable quality welds in all possitions every time before you consider this type of welding. What kind of machine are you using? This is also very important.Based on the welds shown (besides the fact that you didn't clean up the surface first) you're not getting full penetration for the whole length of the welds. Also you shouldn't have the dimple at the end of the welds like you have. Pause when you're at the end of the weld long enought to fill that dimple.I'm not saying you'll never be able to do this project. I'm saying you need a lot more practice before you do it. not just for your safety, but for the safety of the people around you on the road.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:X2. I fully agree. I'm still a noob, and have been welding 5 hours a day for about 10 months now, and I'm debating if I wanna weld up my roll cage. All my welds have passed a bend test, without cracking or inclusions, and I'm still debating welding my cage. It's safety that matters most. I also wanna know what machine it is also. Welding is a dirty thing, but the metal needs to be super clean at the weld joint. Originally Posted by ThorsHammerSTEP AWAY FROM THE TRUCK SIR!Ok, This "Just got a new welder for my s10 project" and this "I have little experience and have about 10 minutes on this machine." Should not be in the same sentence. You need to be able to do certifiable quality welds in all possitions every time before you consider this type of welding. What kind of machine are you using? This is also very important.Based on the welds shown (besides the fact that you didn't clean up the surface first) you're not getting full penetration for the whole length of the welds. Also you shouldn't have the dimple at the end of the welds like you have. Pause when you're at the end of the weld long enought to fill that dimple.I'm not saying you'll never be able to do this project. I'm saying you need a lot more practice before you do it. not just for your safety, but for the safety of the people around you on the road.
Reply:I would agree, you need to start with something else.  No argument about it.My suggestion would be to make a small endtable, firewood rack, trailer dolly, etc...This will give you practice on something that does not need the greatest welds to hold.  (trailer dolly being the expetion)This will alow you to fine tune your skills, also going from a small endtable using say 1/2 x1/2 square tube and going to a fire wood rack you can go to thicker square tube say 1 1/2 or 2" then you get to learn how to adjust the machine for thickness.I would also agree that your first weld just looks cold with not penetration.They do get better, but look at the second pic, you can see right to left is starts cold and gets hot to where you have a better weld.None of them look bad, the first being the real exception.  But still not horrible for a first time.However like said before, stop and practice on something.Another thought for you, make some stuff and sell it.  May be a little hard to do, but you can make a profit.  Just start with stuff that really does not need alot of structrual integrity.
Reply:What machine do we have here, it looks like you have enough amperage, but how about a little more detail on the scope of the project. I think you are ready to build bumpers, maybe some engine mounts, maybe relocate the shocks and zip up the exhaust. But I suspect your thinking about C cutting the frame for air bags? that one will need a little time to perfect. Roll cage going to be for looks or mount down to the frame. Just remember a proper cage can save your ***, and improper cage can impale your innards when force is applied and it comes loose. Crash forces are funny you can take a hit in the front of the frame and something in the cage can pop and stab you."Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400