Picked up some new stuff today...

admin

Hi guys,I'm about to foray into my first MIG. Being a total neophyte to welding I have largely had to rely on what I've read thru searching here and welding supply house counter jocks.I got my GMAW/FCAW unit and found I am in sore need of some other stuff to get going.I did some running around this afternoon and came up with some parts.I picked up the following for $751 - 120CF Arcon/CO2 bottle in excellent shape1 - 2lb roll of .035 L56 Super Arc wire made by Lincoln1 - 44lb fiber roll of .035 L56 Super Arc wire made by Lincolnhttp://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Ca...heet.asp?p=5955I took the bottle to the local PraxAir welding house and swapped the bottle for one just like it full of 75/25 for $28I picked up a regulator (#23510 in the link) for Argon for $64https://ecatalog.praxair.com/webapp...pmentFlowmetersDid I get hosed or buy the wrong stuff ? The guy at the welding supply house assured me I did good and with the regulator I am now good to go, but I thought I would run it by you guys first.I don't really need the 44lb spool of wire since my little rig can't handle it unless I can refill the smaller rolls, which seems like a PITA.I'm one wrench and a magnetic clamp away from an inferno Any other things I should look for or think about before going live ?Thanks in advance for the help BS10MM
Reply:sounds good to me. go get some practice and post some pics!what kind of welder did ya get?
Reply:I was given a Craftsman unit by the GF for my birthday. It is the same unit as the Clarke 130EN in Sears Craftsman drag.Not my first choice, but at present, since it was a gift from the woman, I will be giving it a go. I am adding a couple of medium flow cooling fans to it to increase the cooling and *maybe* increase the duty rating a tad.I called Clarke and parts are available, 10yr warranty on the xfmr and it uses a tweco gun and goodies. The guy from Clarke ways most Lincoln tops and nozzles will fit too, which is good because I can get those locally.The guy at Clarke said additional cooling would improve the duty cycle, but probably not more than 15% or so across the useable range.At this point, I figure I can electrocute myself or burn my house down with a lower end unit just as well as a high end Miller  So, for the light duty stuff I do, it should (I hope) work OK.Any convenient way to spool the L56 off the big roll off to a smaller roll without making a huge mess ? Or would it be better to sell the 44lb roll and just buy smaller ones ?Thanks for the feedback BS10MM
Reply:Well, congratulations on the gift.But, the smaller 120V welders aren't really up to driving 0.035 solid wire.  They don't really have the amperage to do so.  They do fine with 0.030 or 0.035 flux-core wire.But I'd say to swap out,sell, or exchange the 0.035 L-56 for 0.023/0.025 or 0.030 L-56 wire instead.And about that BIG 44 pound spool of 0.035 L-56 wire?  Sell or swap it.  Trying to transfer the wire from the big spool to the smaller spool will be a major frustration or tangle.  And see above about the wire size for the machine, the 0.035 solid L-56 is really not the right size wire for those class of machines.
Reply:if  you can't return it for smaller ones(and it does not fit yours) sell but to rewind wire onto the small spoon could be tuff to door build a holder
Reply:Return the spool, you are asking for trouble trying to make smaller rolls out of it. Think of a clockspring, or the last time you tried to fix a tapemeasure. And you didn't mention a welding helmet or gloves, I hope you are planning on them. Also a wire brush, a few basic tools like maybe a hammer and pliers would come in handy. A very important point to remember here that most every former neophyte on this site learned the hard way is that welding releases large amounts of not only heat, but ultraviolet radiation. If you do not protect yourself properly with long sleeves, long pants with no cuffs, boots not sneakers, full face shield and gloves you will get burned one way or the other. I still remember the first time I did any substantial welding using a pair of goggles. My face and forehead peeled like I had leprosy. If you plan on doing any welding where spatter could get on your upper body, for instance overhead or lying under something, invest in a lightweight welders jacket. I'm sure I missed a few things, but that's some of the basics. Safety first, and neophyte welders are NOT allowed to set anything on fire. C'mon guys, jump in here! And good luck Slick!If you don't have the time to do it right, then you definitely don't have the time to do it over.
Reply:I didn't see any beer on that listDisclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Both rolls of the L56 wire were freebies when I got the bottle. It was a private sale, so return really isn't an option.I would really like to swap them for something I can use.I do have a full helmet, some protective clothing and a basic hammer, wire brush, some good boots and a new set of hevi duty gloves.I have been looking for an angle grinder. A unit made by Metabo has been suggested as a unit that will hold up. I do a bit of body work from time to time, and have had my share of angle grinders that last a month then die.Any of you guys ever used a Metabo ? I've never heard of the Metabo brand. Supposed to be made in Germany.Anyone wanna swap the 0.035 L56 for some 0.023/0.025 or 0.030 L-56 ?Thanks for the help guys. I'm feeling like I might get thru my first welding attempt without a paramedic.
Reply:Originally Posted by TozziWeldingI didn't see any beer on that list
Reply:If you buy a GOOD Metabo it will outlast you, if you buy a home center Metabo it won't. If you cant see ponying up the bucks for a GOOD Metabo, I would get a DeWalt high amp 4 1/2" or a Milwaukee Magnum 4 1/2" grinder. My DeWalt 402 is still kicking and I beat the lips off of it daily(I have a brand new one in the truck waiting for it to die) it is a good little grinder. Tequila could also be used for weld prep on AL.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Here's a link to the one that has been suggested (costs $90) :http://www.metabousa.com/metabo/hand..._06204_42.htmlHow would I determine a 'GOOD' Metabo ?Last edited by BigSlick10mm; 11-02-2006 at 05:46 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by BigSlick10mmWell... if I was going to drink beer... that would mean I have to put down my tequila
Reply:I have a Makita angle grinder.  I am very happy with it. It looks like this.  I post the link as a price/picture reference.  I suspect that you would be able to get it locally for roughly the same price. $55 isnt bad for such a tool.In addition to grinding wheels, and cutoff wheels, get a wire brush wheel for it.  Don't even bother with the hand wire brush for most of the brushing you will do.  The brush on the angle grinder will brush the crap away faster, better, and with less effort on your part.  The normal steel wire ones are great for steel and such.  I would assume that the ones with stainless wires will work well on Aluminum.  I've never welded Al, so I can't say for sure, but I am quiet confident that it would.Don't even think of using the wire brush without gloves and glasses.  Those wires come out of that thing and go flying.  After I got done brushing a large part, the front and sides of my clothes have several wires sticking out.  One time I neglected to wear a gloves and after I was done grinding I found a wire sticking out of one of my fingers near the second joint.  It did not hurt at any point, but pulling out that 3/8" of wire that was under the skin make my skin crawl (so to speak).I don' even touch the hand brush anymore, I just go straight for the grinder.