Tips for better welds?

[Kenny_McCormic]

This is what my wire feed flux core bead looks like. And this is with the cheapo chicago electric and the ****ty wire it comes with. Ill go do a joint weld and see how that turns out.

Thats amazing, looks great.

 

[jr dragster T]

That's a NICE weld!

 

[2or3wheels]

Some quick questions.
1. With a stick arc welder are you cupposed to do a smooth line on the weld? or are you supposed to do horse shoes or ovals what?
2. About the fumes. I would like some info on that cause i have been weldin my my garage and was not aware that the fumes are bad, i have only gone through 1 box of rods(need to get another). Its gonna be cold here in MN soon so can i weld in the garage and be safe, it is un insulated and a big 2 car garage.(no cars in it and only a path or two to get from place to place).

 

[kibble]

Some quick questions.
1. With a stick arc welder are you cupposed to do a smooth line on the weld? or are you supposed to do horse shoes or ovals what?
2. About the fumes. I would like some info on that cause i have been weldin my my garage and was not aware that the fumes are bad, i have only gone through 1 box of rods(need to get another). Its gonna be cold here in MN soon so can i weld in the garage and be safe, it is un insulated and a big 2 car garage.(no cars in it and only a path or two to get from place to place).

1, it always helps to do side to side like horse shoes because you cover both parts to be welded.

2, fumes are usually pretty bad

 

[Sdannenberg3]

especially if its galvanized! can kill!

 

[fluxcored]

I go in a straight line when the material is thin. Though when it's extra thin I weave to disperse the heat a bit.:biggrin5: :biggrin5: :biggrin5:

Stopping and starting again is tricky. The pool is still cold when you start so it just globs on the previous bead - try starting a bit in front of the old bead to get some heat going and then moving back to tie the pool in with the old bead. Or where you gonna start on the old bead you can grind it a bit down.

I normally spray silicone around the area to be welded so that spatter does'nt stick. Found antispatter spray to be too expensive.

If you do'nt have an AD helmet use a soapstone marker to mark the joint - makes it easier to see.

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Learn how to pull the trigger and flip the shield down all at once.

 

[iwanttogofast]

Learn how to pull the trigger and flip the shield down all at once.

lol.....only used the AD helmets a few times. But what kenny says works just as good as a AD helmet. unless you have a garbage helmet were it won't stay up.....i hate them.

 

[Scout]

I never needed an AD helmet with a MIG, but it is fantastic with a stick.


There is a lot to welding, who wants to write a how-to?