Topic: stick welding (Read 23065 times)

arsenio · « **on:** April 15, 2010, 07:29:42 PM »

I am having trouble getting an arc started. So far the only think I have welded is the electrode to flat bar.

Setup is Wal-Mart Camble something or other 70 amp welder with Harbor Freight 3/32 rods.

Never have issues with a wire feed welder.

Shits whack.

hatchboy · « **Reply #1 on:** April 15, 2010, 07:36:32 PM »

Quote from: arsenio on April 15, 2010, 07:29:42 PM

I am having trouble getting an arc started. So far the only think I have welded is the electrode to flat bar.

Setup is Wal-Mart Camble something or other 70 amp welder with Harbor Freight 3/32 rods.

Never have issues with a wire feed welder.

Shits whack.

Again?

narfdanarf · « **Reply #2 on:** April 15, 2010, 07:58:54 PM »

flick it like a match but only lift it up the thickness of the inner electrode and try to keep that distance the same as you use the electrode up.

dvst8r · « **Reply #3 on:** April 15, 2010, 07:59:35 PM »

Takes some practice. There is a reason they call it "striking" an arc. Try it.

Edit: Fuck narf beat me too it.

stealthiskey · « **Reply #4 on:** April 16, 2010, 01:26:33 AM »

if it gets stuck, MO POWA!!

900s · « **Reply #5 on:** April 16, 2010, 03:25:37 PM »

Quote from: stealthiskey on April 16, 2010, 01:26:33 AM

if it gets stuck, MO POWA!!

This, could be set too cold. Although from what I hear, the cheaper arc welders can be a lot more tricky to strike than the better ones.

Could also try some better electrodes.

ryan89crx · « **Reply #6 on:** April 16, 2010, 04:02:11 PM »

Quote from: stealthiskey on April 16, 2010, 01:26:33 AM

if it gets stuck...

I thought that's why it was called "stick" welding

Foowee · « **Reply #7 on:** April 16, 2010, 04:21:51 PM »

Quote from: narfdanarf on April 15, 2010, 07:58:54 PM

flick it like a match but only lift it up the thickness of the inner electrode and try to keep that distance the same as you use the electrode up.

What he said. It's like striking a match.

If you end up chipping some of the flux off the end of the rod after it gets stuck to the workpiece. You can quickly drag the end of the rod across some scrap to burn the electrode down even with the flux. Actually this method works for starting an arch too, it just leaves an ugly drag mark on your workpiece.

After you get an arch started, listen to the sound of the arch. It will let you know if you're getting too far from the workpiece.

After you run a bead, the electrode may be recessed into the flux. So you might need to chip a bit of flux off the electrode by tapping it on the floor or a work bench... before you begin your next bead.

I think everyone should have to learn smaw before they move on to any other type of welding...

hotrex · « **Reply #8 on:** April 16, 2010, 08:00:21 PM »

if i pull a rod out of my tube and the flux isnt perfect i toss it. if i stick a rod i toss it, if i only burn 1/4 i toss it. if u are having trouble lighting it off your rod could be wet or u are too cold. every rod i use is asme certed and in a rod oven. u need to be real light on the strike and it is like striking a match but not entirely. practice is the key.

narfdanarf · « **Reply #9 on:** April 16, 2010, 09:15:02 PM »

What a waste of rod.

malichite · « **Reply #10 on:** April 16, 2010, 09:48:26 PM »

He welds for a union. What do you expect

arsenio · « **Reply #11 on:** April 17, 2010, 12:31:36 AM »

Ok. I am finaly able to get it to arc 3/10 times.

POS has a shitty duty cycle. Only about 1 min of welding for a 8 min break.

And not having a mask is not helping at all. Heading to Harbor Freight tomarrow with a 20% coupon and might get the auto dark they got.

Urban Indian · « **Reply #12 on:** April 17, 2010, 12:59:48 AM »

no no you dont need a helmet

You can really see jesus when you watch the puddle

t_cel_t · « **Reply #13 on:** April 17, 2010, 01:38:26 AM »

rock the chinese welding mask

Foowee · « **Reply #14 on:** April 17, 2010, 07:24:14 AM »

Quote from: arsenio on April 17, 2010, 12:31:36 AM

And not having a mask is not helping at all. Heading to Harbor Freight tomarrow with a 20% coupon and might get the auto dark they got.

Vision isn't high on your list of things you value eh?

I'm not much of a fan of auto-darkening helmets. Once again, I think everyone should have to learn the hard way first.

Use the force Luke...

arsenio · « **Reply #15 on:** April 17, 2010, 09:16:37 AM »

I have used the regular and auto dark with a wire feed "mig" and prefer the auto dark.

I made a mask last night using a rubber band, cut oper 2 liter bottle and piece of 5% window tint. Its still to bright, but I can atleast see what im doing.

I was practicing in the garage with the door shut and it left me smelling like china town on new years.

SgtB · « **Reply #16 on:** April 17, 2010, 09:42:01 AM »

Enjoy your cane.

patsmx5 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 17, 2010, 10:13:30 AM »

Drag the rod across a piece of concrete to get the end clean, makes it 10x easier to strike an arc. Then practice starting an arc. Get the rod a 1/4" above the plate and start dragging it across about 1 in/second, then push it into the plate and keep dragging it. It should arc for as long as your drag it. If it sticks, you are too cold.

ryan89crx · « **Reply #18 on:** April 17, 2010, 12:41:08 PM »

Quote from: malichite on April 16, 2010, 09:48:26 PM

He welds for a union. What do you expect

When every weld you make affects whether or not you keep your job, I would make sure the rod was fucking perfect too. Depending on where he is working, EVERY weld could be subject to NDE, fail one, get your walking papers. No reason to chance it when you can just grab a new rod.

PhilStubbs · « **Reply #19 on:** April 17, 2010, 06:06:40 PM »

this thread reaks of buk.

get a real helmet, crank that shitty welder to nog and go

hotrex · « **Reply #20 on:** April 17, 2010, 09:05:08 PM »

im non union. reusing shitty rods is great in ur garage but npot on the job welding power pipe and pressure vessels that are being shot. u call it wasteful i call it necessary

arsenio · « **Reply #21 on:** April 17, 2010, 10:09:23 PM »

I pussied out on the auto dark mask because im cheap, and just got the welding goggles with the flip up lens for $4.

Also got smaller rods and it works like a champ now. Finish the exhaust on the FC but since I only had goggles, I got a sun burn. Shits weak but the car sounds really good for one in its life.

turbob16hatch · « **Reply #22 on:** April 17, 2010, 11:53:37 PM »

In for pics of skin cancer. Btw your an idiot for not having a proper hood.

t_cel_t · « **Reply #23 on:** April 18, 2010, 07:32:09 AM »

you know its not just the light that goes to your eyes, its also like the brightest light/radiation that you will ever experience short of standing next to a nuke touching off.

PhilStubbs · « **Reply #24 on:** April 18, 2010, 07:51:03 AM »

Buk has arsenio's log in info, I'm sure of it.

Hotrodlincoln · « **Reply #25 on:** April 18, 2010, 07:54:13 PM »

Quote from: SecksyPeePee on April 18, 2010, 07:51:03 AM

Buk has arsenio's log in info, I'm sure of it.

buk cant weld so hes pretending to be sombody that can. ultimate troll!

PhilStubbs · « **Reply #26 on:** April 18, 2010, 09:00:10 PM »

he could have picked someone that was a better welder. lol

arsenio · « **Reply #27 on:** April 18, 2010, 10:24:36 PM »

fuck it. the metal is melted together. what more do you need?

I was having trouble mating the aluminized pipe to some sainless pipe. I guess since they cool at differet rates the slag was shooting off like little flaming rockets. And the rainbow effect of the stainless made me look like i knew what i was doing.

stealthiskey · « **Reply #28 on:** April 18, 2010, 11:20:43 PM »

Quote from: turbob16hatch on April 17, 2010, 11:53:37 PM

In for pics of skin cancer. Btw your an idiot for not having a proper hood.

Lies! my first welder was built from microwave ovens. And my goggles were some mickey mouse sunglasses painted flat black. If you enjoy it and do it often get a legit mask, if its only every once in a while get a tan.

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Author Topic: stick welding (Read 23065 times)