First real project

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I have been just running beads on scrap steel so I decided to practice on something useful.  I am making an angle plate to use on my milling machine.  It is 1" 1018 cold roll steel. It is 9"x9"x6". I machined 30 deg. Bevels on all joints to be welded. My plans are to use 7018 for everything.  I do have a few questions before I start. 1) are the bevels large enough for this thickness of material in this application? 2) how much movement should I expect from heat? I plan to machine all surfaces square after welding. 3) is 7018 a good choice were machining of the welds is necessary?  Should I use another electrode. ..6010/6011?4) is this material clean enough as is for 7018 since there is no mill scale? Attached ImagesBrianMiller Thunderbolt 225 AC/DCEverlast 255 EXT with water coolerH.F. 170 Mig/Flux welderKent 3h.p. 9x42 milling machineHome Built 2"x72" variable speed 2 h.p. belt grinderHome built 9" variable speed 2 h.p. disc grinder
Reply:What you are doing is just fine but I myself would have not bothered to chamfer the gusset....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Are you going to case harden it and normalize it?
Reply:Originally Posted by johnrbauerAre you going to case harden it and normalize it?
Reply:I read the questions before looking at your material......    I WISH my material was that well prepped and cleaned. Clamp and Tack everything tight.   You'll be fine.  Id run 1/8" Excalibur 7018 at 135AMPS.Some Blue , Some Red & Some GreyProverbs 16:2-3.2 "All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. 3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."
Reply:Thanks Don I will try that amperage.  What machine do you run?BrianMiller Thunderbolt 225 AC/DCEverlast 255 EXT with water coolerH.F. 170 Mig/Flux welderKent 3h.p. 9x42 milling machineHome Built 2"x72" variable speed 2 h.p. belt grinderHome built 9" variable speed 2 h.p. disc grinder
Reply:Originally Posted by melsdadThanks Don I will try that amperage.  What machine do you run?
Reply:How about the machinability of 7018? I plan to use carbide endmills.BrianMiller Thunderbolt 225 AC/DCEverlast 255 EXT with water coolerH.F. 170 Mig/Flux welderKent 3h.p. 9x42 milling machineHome Built 2"x72" variable speed 2 h.p. belt grinderHome built 9" variable speed 2 h.p. disc grinder
Reply:Originally Posted by melsdadHow about the machinability of 7018? I plan to use carbide endmills.
Reply:If you do case harden it tap your holes oversize.
Reply:Got it tacked together today. I'm using 6011 for my root passes. I'm running DC+ at around 130/135 amps .125 electrode.  Using a slight weave spending more time on the sides than the middle to try to tie things together. Does this sound right? Attached ImagesBrianMiller Thunderbolt 225 AC/DCEverlast 255 EXT with water coolerH.F. 170 Mig/Flux welderKent 3h.p. 9x42 milling machineHome Built 2"x72" variable speed 2 h.p. belt grinderHome built 9" variable speed 2 h.p. disc grinder
Reply:Originally Posted by melsdadGot it tacked together today. I'm using 6011 for my root passes. I'm running DC+ at around 130/135 amps .125 electrode.  Using a slight weave spending more time on the sides than the middle to try to tie things together. Does this sound right?
Reply:Thanks Don I will try that setting and technique.You have any tips for the ending of the weld? See on the right side of the picture how the weld drops off. What I did was pause a second or two and pull off.Would I be better to run from the edge to the corner in this situation?BrianMiller Thunderbolt 225 AC/DCEverlast 255 EXT with water coolerH.F. 170 Mig/Flux welderKent 3h.p. 9x42 milling machineHome Built 2"x72" variable speed 2 h.p. belt grinderHome built 9" variable speed 2 h.p. disc grinder
Reply:Originally Posted by melsdadThanks Don I will try that setting and technique.You have any tips for the ending of the weld? See on the right side of the picture how the weld drops off. What I did was pause a second or two and pull off.Would I be better to run from the edge to the corner in this situation?
Reply:I got a good bit of welding time in today.  Went through fifty two .125.  7018 electrodes. Attached ImagesBrianMiller Thunderbolt 225 AC/DCEverlast 255 EXT with water coolerH.F. 170 Mig/Flux welderKent 3h.p. 9x42 milling machineHome Built 2"x72" variable speed 2 h.p. belt grinderHome built 9" variable speed 2 h.p. disc grinder
Reply:What Don said, I wish anything I ever welded was half this clean. ha!Millermatic 211 Miller Blue Fire 140@swiftwelding on Instagram
Reply:Your welding looks great to me.  Wish I was at that stage but am progressing.  Weld done!30+ yrs Army Infantry & Field Artillery, 25 yrs agoMiller 350LX Tig Runner TA 210, spool gunLincoln 250/250 IdealArcESAB PCM 500i PlasmaKazoo 30"  vert BSKazoo 9x16 horiz BSClausing 12x24 lathe20T Air Press
Reply:The second picture I welded all 3 joints in this position to practice vertical up.Don I used your advice with the ending of the welds. It seemed to work for me the amperage setting you reccomended for the 7018 worked well also...Thanks! !!BrianMiller Thunderbolt 225 AC/DCEverlast 255 EXT with water coolerH.F. 170 Mig/Flux welderKent 3h.p. 9x42 milling machineHome Built 2"x72" variable speed 2 h.p. belt grinderHome built 9" variable speed 2 h.p. disc grinder