Welding Rock Sliders

admin

Hey Guys, I am fabricating a set of rock sliders. They are being made out of 2x3'' square tube and 2'' round tube. They are 1/4'' thick metal. My question is...Is a small mig ok for this? If so...how hot? If I should use stick what type of rods? How hot?Here are some pics
Reply:Small 110v migs (with gas) at max do about 1/8". With FC you get a bit more penetration, but 1/4" is really stretching it to the max, 3/16" is more reasonable. As far as heat crank it to the max. I wouldn't do this with a 110v mig. A 220v mig would be my prefered method over stick, but the 110v machine doesn't have the penetration.With stick I'd grab 1/8" rod. Setting would dpend on the rod chosen and if you are running AC or DC. 7018 DC+ is 90-160, AC 100-160 so I'd probably start at 120 -130 amps. If you went with 3/32" instead DC+ is 70-110, AC 80-120, starting ay  90-100amps. 7014 1/8" DC+ 100-145, DC+ 3/32" 75-95, AC 1/8" 110-160, 3/32" 80-100. 7014 is a bit easier for someone new to run over 7018 and doesn't have the storage issues 7018 does.. If you can run 7018 then by all means use that..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:This is not a job for a 110 volt mig. They just don't put out the heat needed. If I didn't have access to a 220v mig welder I would use a 1/8 7018 rod like was mentioned above.