New to welding

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Hi all. I am new to welding, I have a Weld Pak 175HD, I am getting ready to weld some stake pockets on my trailer and though I have welded a few smaller projects I would like to make this look nice unlike some of the other things I have done. I may be doing something wrong but when I use the flux-cored .035 it seems to spatter a lot. I prefer MIG with .035 because it seems to look like a nicer weld but according to the chart, I can't weld the 1/4" stake pockets with MIG. Is this chart correct or can it be done by possibly going slower or multiple passes? Now keep in mind that I am new to this and only know about welding from what I have read or watched on dvd. I would really like to have the opportunity to learn from a pro but don't really know anyone that I could watch.Thanks,Jason
Reply:My generic statement would be that no you can't really weld 1/4" with that machine as a new welder. There are a few advanced tricks that can stretch the thickness, but if you don't know what you are doing it's very easy with those machines to make a pretty weld with no strength when running thicker than the specs suggest.That said unless you are planning to use these pockets as chain points on a trailer and want to just used them to hold up 2x4's, you can grind a heavy bevel on the 1/4" where it meets and weld it solid at max with gas mig, and you should be in good shape. If you are planning to use these to chain or tie down heavy objects, cars, 4x4's etc, I would recomend you have someone else do this, rather than mess with it even with FC if you are new. Tie down points fall under those "structural" things that really require that you know what you are doing and be able to make good solid welds every time.You might think about adding your location to your User CP at the top left, that way we all know where you are from. You might find someone here thats local and willing to help you out if this is going to be for securing heavy loads..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:Thanks DSW. My intention is to use them just for the 2x4's as the trailer already has some tie down places. However, if I were to let someone borrow the trailer or sell it at some point and forget to tell them NOT to use the stake pockets for tie downs, that would be bad. Maybe I will just tack them on where I want them and take it to someone to finish.You might think about adding your location to your User CP at the top left, that way we all know where you are from.
Reply:Galaxie, have you tried a practice weld on some scrap and then break it? That will tell you how skilful you are.PS, take pictures and we can evaluate the results.
Reply:Originally Posted by transitGalaxie, have you tried a practice weld on some scrap and then break it? That will tell you how skilful you are.
Reply:Jason, I thought about this a bit and thought I'd add in a bit more. I come from a construction / heavy equipment background. Things coming off a trailer is BAD. People with the badges get mighty grouchy when your machine comes loose for some reason.  They tend to express their displeasure with you by giving you clashing accessories. "Everyone knows silver is out these days and gold is in,  They need to get those cuffs in fashionable colors!"To me a "tiny" trailer is 5 to 7K and a "light" trailer is 10K to 14K. I sometimes forget to think that many may have "ultra tiny" trailers of 1500lbs or 3K. For a trailer that light you'd probably be fine welding on stake pockets because they'd never have loads of more that 500 lbs on them most likely. For heavier trailers that would secure vehicles, getting someone else to do them isn't a bad idea.As said, post up some picts of some of your beads and the settings and thickness of the steel and we will all be happy help you to learn.Edit: I just read your other thread about the mig bottle and saw you mantioned this is an equipment trailer. I think you're probably right about having someone else weld them on at this point in your learning. Maybe some one here local might offer to help?.Last edited by DSW; 03-07-2010 at 11:05 AM..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:Edit: I just read your other thread about the mig bottle and saw you mantioned this is an equipment trailer. I think you're probably right about having someone else weld them on at this point in your learning. Maybe some one here local might offer to help?