Fireplace

admin

Hey All,I was trying to help a friend out but wasn't able to get the job. Any insight would be appreciated so I can try and figure it out for next time.I was trying to weld an overhang to a metal piece on the top of his fireplace. Stationary piece of metal was built into top of fireplace. Piece trying to attach was about a 2" angle iron.I was trying to weld into the backside, so it couldn't be seen. It would have been a vertical weld. The overhang piece was being held in place with 2 pieces of wood on side of fireplace.I was using 6011 stick, crappy Harbor Freight box, 110 current.I was having trouble getting a good bead. The metal was very old and messy. I tried to clean it up as best I could to get a good connection with the ground and to make a better surface.It go pretty messy pretty fast. I went through two or three rods but never got a good bead, as mentioned. I had a decent ARC, but when I went back to examine it was no good.I hope I've explained this alright. I know my gear was lacking but I would have thought I could have gotten something useable.Thanks
Reply:# 1 Have you ever been able to make the weld you were trying to make on good clean metal in the position of the item you were tring to weld with the equipment you're trying to use? If so you know the you either have a grounding or preperation problem. If you can't get the metal ground down to bright metal your going to have real problems and a nasty weld.Tough as nails and damn near as smart
Reply:Was the metal piece in the fire place steel?  It could be cast iron.   I am not much of fan for 110v stick welders, but is what you got.  Will it weld 2 of the angles  together oust side the fire box in the same position?