Hey! New welder from Florida! Progess thread here.

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Just wanted to say hey, and start my learning progress thread here.Finally got a welder over christmas, a harbor freight dc arc/tig #66787. 130 amp max rated, But reviews online said it was under rated.Yes, I know it won't be my forever welder, but for $199 + coupons + 2yr replacement warranty, I'm not worried about it for a while.About me. I have no experience other than just now. Been watching Jody's and Lanse's videos for years.These pics are my first try. First pic was my first two attempts, too hot, and burned through. Was @ indicated 110ampsSecond pic was next three attempts, around 80-85 amps indicated.Pipe is some 2 1/4 inch diameter mild steel tubing. 1/8 inch thickness. Rods were whatever came with it, j427. Shoes up on google as "structure steel welding electrode J427 low carton steel welding rod E4315"Wasn't paying attention at the time, but that was uphill @ 30-35 degrees. Oops.I think The last three were better. I can see some slag inclusions and inconsistent speed. Unsure about undercut. The middle one was the last one I did before I ran out of the rods that came with the welder.Comments appreciated, and will be updating this thread with my progress as I go along!Plan on doing a round pad of beads with this pipe by cutting it into 6 inch sections, and just rotating it every few stringers. Its what I found on the side of the road
Reply:I would get some 1/4” thick flatbar to practice on. And some 1/8” Hobart 335A 6011, and 3/32” 7018.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Welcome. Why start uphill?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:Its on my shopping list. This was just what I had on hand to burn up the three crap rods that came with it.
Reply:Originally Posted by storemanWelcome. Why start uphill?
Reply:Where in Florida are you? There's several weldingweb members across the state.Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:Plant City.
Reply:Take a minute and add that location to your profile so we all know where you are all the time.Sadly you probably could have gotten a better stick welder used and kept it for years. I regularly see Ac only transformer machines for between $50-150 and even see AC/DC units occasionally in the sub $200 category, though $250-400 is more common. That would have given you almost twice the output even if you didn't get the tig option on the AC only machines.You are going too fast. You need to slow down. 1/8" is on the thin side for learning stick. as mentioned 1/4" is a better choice for material. Rod selections CEP listed would be a good place to start.You might read thru this recent thread. A lot of it is about vertical, but there was a bunch of posts on getting him dialed in on flat 1st.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...tical-up-welds.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:Location Added Yes, I could have had an AC machine on craigslist for about $100, but the lowest DC inverter machine I have seen in months was around $500.My goal is to get practice in, and save up for this http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us...olnElectric%29Really like that machine, it has great reviews, and is more than enough for my needs. I'm a quick learner, so I will have no issues adapting to the budget inverter I have now. Heard on the going too fast, will slow down a bit. I was a bit gunshy after burning through going too slow. Hopefully by the end of the week, I will have some 6011 and 7018, along with sourcing some 1/4'' scrap steel. That pipe, was left on the side of the road after being ripped out by a developer. I intend to learn this correctly.Also, reading through that thread now! Thanks for the feedback, and heres to hoping that my rig doesn't catch fire. If it does, I get replacements for a year anyway! Originally Posted by DSWTake a minute and add that location to your profile so we all know where you are all the time.Sadly you probably could have gotten a better stick welder used and kept it for years. I regularly see Ac only transformer machines for between $50-150 and even see AC/DC units occasionally in the sub $200 category, though $250-400 is more common. That would have given you almost twice the output even if you didn't get the tig option on the AC only machines.You are going too fast. You need to slow down. 1/8" is on the thin side for learning stick. as mentioned 1/4" is a better choice for material. Rod selections CEP listed would be a good place to start.You might read thru this recent thread. A lot of it is about vertical, but there was a bunch of posts on getting him dialed in on flat 1st.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...tical-up-welds
Reply:Well, picked up some practice scrap pieces today!An 1'' inch plate, and a 1/8'' thick I-beam with an attached 3/16'' plate!Now, question. Funds this week allow for one box of electrodes.A box of 1/4 6011, or a box of 3/16 7018?
Reply:Originally Posted by xunedeinxNow, question. Funds this week allow for one box of electrodes.A box of 1/4 6011, or a box of 3/16 7018?
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPWOW! You got the power to run that size of rod?
Reply:Originally Posted by xunedeinxI think my little 160 amp Harbor Freight welder would CRY with one of those!
Reply:Guess I'm getting the 6011 than!Screw easy. My first welds were uphill on 1/8'' pipe. Lets keep this thing going!
Reply:Gifts from my neighbor!I think I'm going to weld my pad on the 1'' plate until I build a tableHe have me 1/4'' flat bar, 1/4'' Angle, and 1/4 C channel.I have plans for the angel and C channel all ready!
Reply:Hey CEP, they had Hobart 6011, but it didn't say if it was 335a or not. Got the 3/16'' 7018. Running it DCEPThis is after about two hours and about half that box. Started with around 90 amps, last 5 or so rows were about 105. All indicated amps though, not sure if the Dial is accurate.I'd appreciate feedback!I think I'm still running a bit cold, but if I go higher, it seems to sizzle-pop more than just sizzle.
Reply:Not to bad at all! Yeah turn it up some. Soon as you can move on to lap joints, and fillet welds.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Ok, tomorrow night I'll crank it up a bit more, thought I was kinda cold.Going to do this for a bit more, Limited scrap, and still a side and a half to pad!I'm in no rush, and my welds look like **** compared to most on here.I'm trying to get the next weld to overlap right, but I seem to just make tall welds, instead of nice 2/3 overlap and smooth peaks.Also, once I'm going, I'm all right. But, I'm having a hard as hell time lighting them up. Tapping, and scratching, gets it stuck most the time. You can see by the arc marks my frustration!
Reply:Beads look like 7018 but your amps seem way low for 3/16". 100 amps would be on the low side for 1/8" 7018, though 90-100 would be about right for 1/8 6011 typically.Low amperage is often a cause for rods mot striking well. I usually suggest my students set the machine about mid range for the amps suggested for a given rod size. For 1/8" 7018 that's usually about 125 amps. while I can get 1/8" 7018 to run well at 100 amps, most new students simply can't get the rods to light well. Higher amperage makes starting easier and allows you to drag rods like 7018 vs having to carry an arc if you had the machine set lower..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:Originally Posted by DSWBeads look like 7018 but your amps seem way low for 3/16". 100 amps would be on the low side for 1/8" 7018, though 90-100 would be about right for 1/8 6011 typically.Low amperage is often a cause for rods mot striking well. I usually suggest my students set the machine about mid range for the amps suggested for a given rod size. For 1/8" 7018 that's usually about 125 amps. while I can get 1/8" 7018 to run well at 100 amps, most new students simply can't get the rods to light well. Higher amperage makes starting easier and allows you to drag rods like 7018 vs having to carry an arc if you had the machine set lower.
Reply:Ok for 3/32" 7018 your amps sound better..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:I have a suggestion.  I will say it's a waste of money, but something to try and something to help learn.Get a few aluminum rods.  Think from TSC they are about $15 for 10.  Just one box.  They are not real easy to get going or keep going, have to bury the rod.  They burn very very fast, slag is not easy to get off.  But even with a bad weld if you can learn quick and keep the arc going so you can burn a full rod in one run...    Steel will seem like slow motion afterwards.  Just throwing it out their is you can get a decent bad weld cause it's going to be a bad weld, steel is a how could I not see the puddle, or the flux pooling behind the puddle kinda deal.Eastwood 135 mig welderHobart Stickmate LX 235 AC / 160 DCHobart EX Tig 165
Reply:Honestly, right now I have no intention of doing aluminum. If I did, I wouldn't have a DC only arc/tig welder!I can see the puddle pretty well. Trying to keep on top of it, while seeing where I am going, is an art I have yet to learn!I'll try to crank up the amps a little more. Honestly, though, the other day on that pipe, and today, is the only time in my life I have welded. Most likely, I'm not striking it right.
Reply:Ah-ha!
Reply:When doing your padding, don't think of it as laying beads really close to each other.You will want to run the successive beads with the rod pointed at the line where the previous bead meets the plate.That way, the puddle will ride up to the top of the previous bead, and flow into the plate also.Then you will start seeing the beads blend together, forming a nearly flat surface....and congrats on the machine.It has a very smooth, consistent arc, and not a bad duty cycle, really.I had one just like it. Gave it to my son-in-law when he wanted to learn to tig.Last edited by geezerbill; 12-30-2014 at 11:45 PM.Hobart Beta-Mig 2511972 Miller AEAD-200LEMiller 250 TwinNorthern Ind. Hybrid 200Longevity Stick 140Longevity Migweld 200SThermal Arc Pak 3XROriginally Posted by kcb37I have a suggestion.  I will say it's a waste of money, but something to try and something to help learn.Get a few aluminum rods.  Think from TSC they are about $15 for 10.  Just one box.  They are not real easy to get going or keep going, have to bury the rod.  They burn very very fast, slag is not easy to get off.  But even with a bad weld if you can learn quick and keep the arc going so you can burn a full rod in one run...    Steel will seem like slow motion afterwards.  Just throwing it out their is you can get a decent bad weld cause it's going to be a bad weld, steel is a how could I not see the puddle, or the flux pooling behind the puddle kinda deal.
Reply:If you like to keep track of a file, the filing method is really good.  But if you really have something to do, just take the rod out of the holder, put it straight against the steel sorta like a pencil held straight up, rotate it while forcing it down a bit.  To restrike, start along the joint, ahead of the place you want to weld, and strike it like a match to get it going, and long arc it back to the weld point.  Probably not code, but works just fine."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Had a little fun tonight.Started with some more padding, than did a little bit of horizontal padding (eh), than a fillet joint, and ended up just jerking around and seeing what I could do. Attached Images
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Reply:Put some straight lines with soapstone on the plate to follow.
Reply:Picked up some soapstone from TS, and also a chipping hammer/brush, and some 3/32 6013This 6013 is GREAT on the rusted 3/32 I beam I have. I was having trouble blowing through near the end of my welds with the 7018 @ 80 amps.6013, 75ish ampsBTW, why am I getting pourosity at the end of my welds? I've tried imitating what I see in videos, but I don't understand it fully.
Reply:Watch the puddle closely, let it fill up all the way, then break the arc quickly.Hobart Beta-Mig 2511972 Miller AEAD-200LEMiller 250 TwinNorthern Ind. Hybrid 200Longevity Stick 140Longevity Migweld 200SThermal Arc Pak 3XR
Reply:Also, pay attention to your travel speed.Watch the backside of your puddle. If your temp is right for the thickness of the steel, you should travel at a pace where the back of the puddle is consistently nice and round. If it gets elongated, or pointy, you are moving too fast. This will also be reflected in the shape of your ripples.If they are round, then pointy, then a gap, etc, tour travel speed is inconsistent.You are improving, keep it up!Hobart Beta-Mig 2511972 Miller AEAD-200LEMiller 250 TwinNorthern Ind. Hybrid 200Longevity Stick 140Longevity Migweld 200SThermal Arc Pak 3XR
Reply:Will do!Its hard to see where the puddle ends, and slag begins. That's just a matter of hood time, though.My boss gave me my first project. Make a windshield rack. We'll see how it turns out!I have about 40ft of 1 1/2 pipe, 20ft of 2 inch, and some steel garage door tracks. Lets see what I can whip up.
Reply:First project done! Had issues with 6011 punching through at any amps, son settled in with 3/32 6013 to fill in the gaps, than 7018 to cap it. Started out rough going uphill, and overhead, but after the first few pipes, got the hang of it. There's some porosity in spots, but being its not a critical piece, it'll do!
Reply:I guess it will work but why not get the proper material for the job? Not that pipe isn't good to use but it requires the most work to make it look professional. If the pipe was coped to fit on top would look a lot better than on the side. Why would you need to do any uphill or overhead welding on that?
Reply:Originally Posted by Welder DaveI guess it will work but why not get the proper material for the job? Not that pipe isn't good to use but it requires the most work to make it look professional. If the pipe was coped to fit on top would look a lot better than on the side. Why would you need to do any uphill or overhead welding on that?
Reply:Ok, you haven't coped pipe before but don't make a ridiculous statement about room for more padding. Normally, you'd tack it together and then flip which ever way you needed to make welding easier. Welding upside down is never fun but I don't see any reason to have to stand on your head to weld that.
Reply:Originally Posted by Welder DaveOk, you haven't coped pipe before but don't make a ridiculous statement about room for more padding. Normally, you'd tack it together and then flip which ever way you needed to make welding easier. Welding upside down is never fun but I don't see any reason to have to stand on your head to weld that.
Reply:Originally Posted by xunedeinxPlus, I've never coped before,
Reply:Wow, goldmine on that link! And, Will buy that book first chance I get! Want to make this a career, so that's awesome.
Reply:Here is an easy way to cope things.  Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Need to invest in a good drill press
Reply:Originally Posted by xunedeinxNeed to invest in a good drill press
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPBetter yet.
Reply:It is a Mill. http://www.grizzly.com/search/search?q=millDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Beautiful piece of equipment. I can spend all night fantasizing about the stuff I can make with that and a lathe.
Reply:Don't make the same mistake I made. Member here JAS 94-year old grandfather worked as a machinist all his life. I took a Grizzly catalog to his house, and told him to pick out everything I would need. I still haven't figured out what most of that stuff does!Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPDon't make the same mistake I made. Member here JAS 94-year old grandfather worked as a machinist all his life. I took a Grizzly catalog to his house, and told him to pick out everything I would need. I still haven't figured out what most of that stuff does!
Reply:Originally Posted by xunedeinxI still haven't figured out how to even properly weld with SMAW!