Rod sizing and amount

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I am planning out a log splitter which I will need to weld a 1/2 inch rear cylinder brace to a 25lb beam. I will also need to weld up a series of plates to create a one inch thick cutting edge. I might (depending on whats cheap for cylinders) need to weld two beams together to be able to withstand up to 70 tons of force on the splitting wedge and the rear pin support. My question is with either 7018 or 7014 rods which size rod will I need and what amperage will I need to run. I have access to a Ranger and I am a damn good weld preper. I am not a welder but I learned a bit of mig when I was drunk and I have studied several welding techniques for stick welding and I have always payed close attention when other people were welding. Any advice you got is better than no advice so let me hear what you got.BTW  Hi I'm new
Reply:You can do it with multipass 1/8" 7018.  5/32 will be a little faster and allow you to use more amps.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Originally Posted by David RYou can do it with multipass 1/8" 7018.  5/32 will be a little faster and allow you to use more amps.David
Reply:I will give you a hand if you are by Detroit.
Reply:I'm no where near Detroit I am in the backwoods of Va. I got lucky to find this little old man with a ranger that I can use he always tells me he needs to pay me for the little bit of wood I drop off so I said let me use your ranger  . He agreed so now I just got to go evaluate some raw material and get all of my supplies for this project then build. I highly doubt if very many people even know where to start with a splitter let alone know that bigger is always better  . I am not sure about having a torch or an oven (I might half to get a bulldog if he doesn't have one) but I know he has a wood stove in the shop and his shop is usually warm enough that I need to remove my coat. If I need to cook those rods could I make an oven to set on top of the stove with like a grill thermometer in it?BTW. I am an industrial recycling tech and I can literally get ANYTHING removed from a site with a few phone calls even if it is bolted down
Reply:Originally Posted by Donald BranscomI agree about the 7018 because it is an x-ray quality filler.But it needs to be kept dry and in the oven. If it has been opened you need to put the rods in an oven at 350º for about 4 hours before use.Also if you pass a torch over the surface to be welded it will dry up any moisture. The metal can look dry but if you pass a torch flame over it you will see moisture for a second and then you will see it dry up and disappear.Do not weld at below 32ºF or preheat the weldment.
Reply:Originally Posted by blackdoggyI'm no where near Detroit I am in the backwoods of Va. I got lucky to find this little old man with a ranger that I can use he always tells me he needs to pay me for the little bit of wood I drop off so I said let me use your ranger  . He agreed so now I just got to go evaluate some raw material and get all of my supplies for this project then build. I highly doubt if very many people even know where to start with a splitter let alone know that bigger is always better  . I am not sure about having a torch or an oven (I might half to get a bulldog if he doesn't have one) but I know he has a wood stove in the shop and his shop is usually warm enough that I need to remove my coat. If I need to cook those rods could I make an oven to set on top of the stove with like a grill thermometer in it?BTW. I am an industrial recycling tech and I can literally get ANYTHING removed from a site with a few phone calls even if it is bolted down
Reply:Thanks Donald
Reply:If you open a new can of sticks you will be fine with out baking the rods. You are making a log splitter.But I would bake old rods.I wish we lived closer together,sounds like a fun project.
Reply:that moisture you see when you make the first pass of the torch is condensation of the combustion products of the torch flame hitting the cool metal. after the metal warms up--no condensation.
Reply:Has any one used a Victor bulldog torch?
Reply:True you see water from the flame. Propaine if the worst but most do it. It has been posted in other threads you can weld down to around -40f theat is were steel starts to "freez" or become brittle. I have welded down to -14f wit no trouble other than a shaky bead. Steel Thunder Welding LLC. St. Thomas VI USAMM350PBOBCAT 3MAXSTAR 150 STH375 EXTREME PLASMA6.5 HP COMPRESORDEWALT 18, 24, AND 36 VOLTO/A TORCH SETAND SO MUCH MORE I DONT REMEMBERALL IN MY 2005 2500HD EXTENDED CAB L/B