Piercing holes with SMAW-tips and techniques

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So what techniques do you guys use for piercing or cutting when all you have is a buzzbox? (No O/A, no plasma torch and the steel laughs at TiN or cobalt drill bits)I tried out some of Hobart's cutting/chamfering rods,but found them to be no better than my basic cutting arrangement: 3/32 6011  set as hot as my AC box will go. It's odd,but those Hobart cutting rods seem to deposit just as much metal as a 6013 rod. It's tough not to fill the hole up as I pull the rod back through it.Wetting the rod helps the 6011 last longer,but it's still a messy proposition.
Reply:I have seen ppl use that technique to blow a hole about the size of a golfball in sheetmetal.
Reply:Originally Posted by weldrwomnI have seen ppl use that technique to blow a hole about the size of a golfball in sheetmetal.
Reply:Well, the ppl that were blowing holes through the sheetmetal didn't really care what they looked like because it was a form of vandalism....
Reply:Welding vandalism?  Sounds like a case of "idle hands are the devil's workshop"
Reply:Back when all I had was a buzz box I'd cut and punch holes with 6011. Never got anything any better than what you describe. Soak the rod for a couple of minutes before seems to help keep the flux intact a bit better. I gave it up as soon as I could save up enough for a hack saw and a  drill motor.
Reply:Adding metal to remove metal.. Yeah I've done it..Its not pretty.... with 230 amps and some 3/32 6011?..3/8" plate?It dont last long..and...Its not pretty..But blowholes do happen.. And when it does..keep your feet out of the way... ...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:Just what alloy are you working with? A good cobalt bit at the correct speed and pressure will drill most steels that one would normally find.
Reply:Originally Posted by tresiJust what alloy are you working with? A good cobalt bit at the correct speed and pressure will drill most steels that one would normally find.
Reply:If you have an air compressor and a blowgun, you may have some luck by blowing air where you are trying to cut. Never tried it, but you never know.This is the basic idea of carbon arc gouging-- the arc melts the material, and the air jet blow it out of the way, leaving a minimal oxidized surface that can be quite clean. Unfortunately, an arc gouge holder isn't cheap, and you really need high current (typical for a 1/8 carbon is in the ballpark of 300A or more, I think. I just turn up the big machine until it is right and don't even look at the ammeter). Never tried the technique with anything but a carbon rod, but it might work. Or you may be able to find a deal on an arc gouge setup and small rods. Be warned that if you find an arc gouge setup, it takes a fair bit of air, is REALLY noisy, and sprays hot sparks much, much farther than you would think. But it an give very good (though not machined quality) results.
Reply:Try the 3/32 6011 rod on a piece of mild steel and see the comparison. I've done it with 6010 dc and 6011 ac, messy as all getout but it does the job. O/A is neater, but it's still not what you'd term "precision".If you don't have the time to do it right, then you definitely don't have the time to do it over.
Reply:OA not precision?  What's your idea of precision?  Ive seen some miraculous beveled cuts in just the few weeks that Ive been welding.ThermalArc 185MillerMatic 180 w/ AutosetVictor Cutskill Oxy/AcetyleneThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38and spite!
Reply:If it is not for structural purposes you could try annealling and then drilling.
Reply:Done it, cut an old steel wheel in half too... if you can "tip" the work to the slag can run somewhere, it's much better.***************************************Lincoln AC225 stick welderLincoln HD100 WeldPak flux core wire feed welderThree of the cheapest grinders money can buy
Reply:I always had the best luck blowing holes after knocking all the flux off the 6011 first. Striking the arc is a bitch but once everything is liquid it tends not to weld the hole back up together as much. If you blast it real quick you can keep the hole pretty small.
Reply:I would look for a different supplier for your drill bits. If you can file it you should be able to drill it.
Reply:Originally Posted by DirtyLittleSecretOA not precision?  What's your idea of precision?  Ive seen some miraculous beveled cuts in just the few weeks that Ive been welding.
Reply:I don't know if the standard home buzz box as you call will have the punch needed, but maybee if its only 1/4 " or such try thisGrab a 6011 5/32 diameter and dip it in a bottle of water.with the amps turned up flat draw and long arc arc to get max heat and saw it up and down keeping the arc long.It was an old trick I seen used and used myself.I stress though higher power machines were used.Grahame
Reply:Yesterday I took a 3/32 6011 rod on 0.25" mild steel plate, turned up to 150A, started an arc and gave a slow rotating motion.  Gentle press to help "carve" out a spot and I had a round piece of molten steel drop out the bottom.  Dime sized, but roughly round.  Gave a half way decent hole that wasnt too bad really.If nothing else this gave me a learning opportunity.ThermalArc 185MillerMatic 180 w/ AutosetVictor Cutskill Oxy/AcetyleneThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38and spite!
Reply:Originally Posted by ClanweldBevelled cuts are one thing, cutting a blind hole in 1/4" plate is another. Miraculous is stretching it a bit. And I've bevelled 1" plate to a machined edge with o/a, so I'm not blowing it out my a$$.
Reply:try soaking the rods in bleach.dont kno what it does but it makes it alot easierKISS...KEEP IT SAFE STUPID