First posting of bead pics

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Here are some pics of some of my welds, comments welcome but please go easy on me LOL. The machine is a mid 70's Craftsman 235 AC buzzer, or should I say flame thrower. Not very stable arc seems to jump all over the place. rods are 1/8" 7014. Around 120 amps. Butt weld 3/16 x 2 to edge of 4" channel, a filler piece between frame and fender on a trailer I am building. Sorry about quality of pictures that is as close as my camera will focus.
Reply:That's an interesting trailer.  What will you be carrying on it?MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Looks good, the welds and trailer.  I hope they run a ground to the tilt frame for the lights.David Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Thanks everyone for the replys and the kind words. I am not a professional welder (far from it), but love doing it and want to learn more but I think I need to get a real machine. I was wanting to get a Dynasty 200 DX but just can't swing that steep of a price tag. I am thinking now on a Syncrowave 200 or a Precision 225. I also haven't ruled out a good mig, a blue 252 or a red 255. give me your thoughts guys, with either of the tigs I could still run stick and weld about anything I come up against, Mig is more forgiving and faster for bigger projects. Price close enough to be same. It has taken me for ever to get this far on the trailer, haven't had the time to work on it. I will be hauling my Rhino mainly and my small Kubota tractor. As far as the grounds go I have a 1 foot by 1 inch braided strap I am going to put on.  That should be plenty and then some.
Reply:I was going to say the welds looked a little cold and you might be able to crank up the heat a bit. It's kinda hard to see in the picts. 7014 1/8" runs from 110-160 on AC, so at 120 you are on the cool side. That said every machine runs different and yours might do better at 180 or 100 for all I know. Other than that they look good.As far as the mig vs stick that's a toughie. I have both. I started out with an ancient craftsman AC stick and immediately got a mig. I later upgraded to a AC/DC thunderbolt and then to a sync 200 (wanted the dynasty also but cash flow was an issue) Personally for most steel I grab the mig. For SS and alum I'd go with the tig. I don't do stick unless I have no choice. Unless I am fixing a rusty bucket on a machine or I just can't get rid of the snow and ice on the plow I'll grab the mig, even if I have to huddle under a tarp to get it done. As far as SS and Alum. I have never had great luck with the stuff I do using mig. It's just too thin. The tig works great for this.Think about what you plan to weld.  Good luck.
Reply:Good job Rhino,Like was already said, you are on the right track!  A lot of welding done with a AC machine,  I burned a lot of rod with a little Lincoln thombstone!  I recently purchased a Dynasty 200dx to learn to tig with (wanted to tig up to 1/4 aluminum) and found it to be an outstanding stick welder as well!I sold my Kubota diesel tractor and just purchased a MM-252 as well.  (they all have there place and you should be able to find what ever you are looking for used for close to 1/2 of new!!Be sure and post some finished shot of the trailer!TimA rich man is not the one who has the most but instead one who needs theleast. Retired IUEC local 19AK Bush pilot,  Chaplain  CMA Chapt 26victor torchesMiller110v migDynasty 200dx (new in Dec 08)Hypertherm PM-45MM-252 (new 2/09)
Reply:I too was thinking a little cold...not much, but try 10-15 more amps.  If the U's flatten out that much, you may also be running too slow.  The bead is piling up on top of the metal, that is a good sign it isn't penetrating because it is too "cold".  However, as a new, untrained weldor, you are getting close...You have some good fab skills going on there...I hope you will post more pics of your projects.If you want a REAL machine go with ESAB...The price is fantastic.  Plus a migmaster 250 like mine goes in excess of  280 amps.  The 250 is at 50 percent duty cycle.  It's smooth arc will make you throw rocks at your friend blue and red machines.  No comparison...of course that is just my opinion after using the others then using my ESAB for so long.  I demo the other machines at least once a year to remind me how nice my machine really is.. Last edited by lugweld; 02-10-2009 at 10:06 AM.Reason: Edit out unecessary butts....um I mean but's.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:I also have  to say that the welds appear to be  a bit cold. Do you have any other pictures!! Say of the underside of the welds? To see if there was penetrationOther than that it looks very good.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:Thanks for the comments guys, I am just like the robot in the movie, Johnnie Five, I need input. Next welds I make I'll bump it up a bit. I don't really have any other pics yet but I will try to get some. There is no way I can get the camera in to the underside of the pics posted, it just won't fit let alone focus. I will try to take some more when I get a chance. The trailer is almost done, a machine shop is making mounts for the hydraulic cylinders, should have them this week. I need to make a handle for the latch on the front for the tilt lock. Paint, wire, and decking then it is off to the DMV to get it titled.
Reply:Ok, I bumped the amps to 140 and looks alot better. I need to wire brush a little more on top side but I am much more pleased with this weld.This is an overhead fillet of the same piece on the bottom side. Not as good but I am getting better. I think in the middle I was moving a bit fast, some undercut on the top side.Now for the Damn vertical. Hope you gurus can help me out. Vertical is starting to make me cuss to much. These are 1/8" 7014 about 130 amps. I tried 6011's to and that was worse. Can someone please explain how it is supposed to be done, I've tried everything? I thank God that he gave someone the brains to invent the grinder.
Reply:The first 2 pics in this latest batch look great.  Reverse the direction on the verticals.  Start at the bottom and go up instead of top-down.  Hold the rod with a slight upward angle, hold a tight arc, weave the rod a bit side to side as you move up, staying within the puddle, in a Z movement, holding at the toes (side edges) and zipping accross the middle.  Holding the toes fills the toes and zipping accross the middle keeps the middle from building up and drooping out.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Rhinorider,Those horizontals look much better for penetration.  Like was said, keep the arc tight on the verticals or you will trap the flux and look like crap.  you will find that uphill is much easier once you can tell the difference between the puddle and the slag.  I found out just recently that they make a 7018 for AC?? I never ran it but for sure if it runs anything like 7018 DC you will like the welds, and you should be able to get plenty of penetration for the size tubing and plate you are running.  (I would keep an eye out for a DC machine) as in my opinion you will be happier in the long run.  You obviously have a knack for fab and welding and you are way ahead of a lot of others that have welded longer!!  Keep at it!  (I used to have a saying)  "if I weld any further I will have to start over" As soon as the weld starts falling apart, stop touch it with a grinder and start again!TimA rich man is not the one who has the most but instead one who needs theleast. Retired IUEC local 19AK Bush pilot,  Chaplain  CMA Chapt 26victor torchesMiller110v migDynasty 200dx (new in Dec 08)Hypertherm PM-45MM-252 (new 2/09)
Reply:Thanks Tim and Desert, I tried the 7018 AC's, they were ok but this old flame thrower likes the 14's better. 6011's are a B@#$H with it. 6013 is decent. I am looking for a good machine, I want a Dynasty but will have to wait untill I get Uncle Sam paid, tis the season you know. I want to get a decent mig also. I'll try some more vertical tommorow and see what happens.
Reply:Your welds look alot better. Remember that sometimes doing vertical and overhead, it's sometimes better to be a bit cool than too hot for better control. You just have to learn to read the material and how it is responding to what you are doing and what the settings are. That just takes LOTS of practice. Since I do stick infrequently, I usually grab a couple of pieces of scrap and run a few practice beads in position so I can adjust the machine where I want it and then go to town.
Reply:Remember that you're using the previous puddle as a 'shelf' to support your puddle as you weld up.9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250