Decided to try to learn to weld

[Myuncles650]

I have a nice piece of granite I had the counter top guy cut in a square for me a while back (matches other counter top we have). I went to Harbor Freight and bought a wire feed flux core welder to make steel base for a propane fire table. This is turning out to be quite a fun learning experience. In no uncertain terms are they great looking welds but I didn’t blow through the pieces and after flapper wheel look serviceable. Very rewarding to make something from scratch as I have not had that experience with metal before. Bought a fair amount of scrap pieces to practice. Well worth the investment to try to learn. A ways to go for sure (learning and completing the base). Hoping to possibly use on a bike project someday.

 

[bosco659]

Nice! I’m not a good welder but am a good grinder . Getting good at it takes time and practice. I think you’re off to a great start!

 

[Myuncles650]

Bit more grinding to cover up rookie stuff but first welding attempt went OK. Learned a ton about how fast to go and settings for dissimilar metal thicknesses. Really fun though.

 

[Myuncles650]

Going to sand blast it and powder coat a dark color so should help it look better

 

[bosco659]

Nicely done!

 

[Grimly]

You'll find variations in the quality of different makes of gasless mig wire. Once you find a good one, stick with it.
Some of them will have you tearing your hair out and wondering why you ever managed to weld at all and how you've totally lost the skill.
Personal recommendation is Lincoln gasless wire, or if the HF wire that came with your set is good, get some more if it's from the same batch.

 

[bosco659]

Another tip is to keep fluxcore wire in an airtight container when not being used. I was told this by someone who appeared to know what they were talking about. Theory is moisture can affect wire performance. Don’t know if it’s 100% true but I keep fluxcore in a zip lock bag. I only keep a 2 lb spool just in case because I normally run hardwire with mixed gas.

 

[Jim]

Theory is moisture can affect wire performance. Don’t know if it’s 100% true

Yep, true.

 

[Myuncles650]

Thanks for the tips All. I appreciate them.

 

[PupTruck]

Another tip is to keep fluxcore wire in an airtight container when not being used. I was told this by someone who appeared to know what they were talking about. Theory is moisture can affect wire performance. Don’t know if it’s 100% true but I keep fluxcore in a zip lock bag. I only keep a 2 lb spool just in case because I normally run hardwire with mixed gas.

Agree. Great tip. Moisture can cause problems with weldability and feedability with hollow or solid core wire, ferrous and non-ferrous materials.

 

[grouchie77]

I knew an old farmer that kept his stick welding rods in an old refrigerator out in the barn.

 

[Jan_P]

If I remember correct water or moisture on stick weld rods causes Hydrogen brittlement poor weld quality

 

[PupTruck]

I knew an old farmer that kept his stick welding rods in an old refrigerator out in the barn.

I've done that too! Anything to keep the moisture out. Before I start a project that uses SMAW rods I let them warm up in the kitchen oven for 30 min or so before I use them (I don't have a rod oven). If your shop is not climate controlled, having a small fridge (not for cooling) is nice to keep out the moisture on all welding rods. For GMAW, once rust or oxide begins to form on the wire, it becomes extremely frustrating to trouble shoot wire feed issues from base metal contamination to dirty wire. GTAW rods can just be buffed down with a scotch Brite pad or similar before using. Good to hear folks are jumping into the welding scene.

 

[siscoken]

For me it's all about seeing.... seeing the line you want to weld.... seeing the puddle and watching the edges... so your welding helmet lens is very important.
I have used flux core with my Lincoln 175 amp a few times and don't care for it much.... I prefer gas and wire.
I also use stick as much as I use my mig.

 

[Myuncles650]

For me it's all about seeing.... seeing the line you want to weld.... seeing the puddle and watching the edges... so your welding helmet lens is very important.
I have used flux core with my Lincoln 175 amp a few times and don't care for it much.... I prefer gas and wire.
I also use stick as much as I use my mig.

That has actually been my biggest challenge having never done any welding before. Adjusting the level the helmet darkening (honestly not knowing how much transmissibility is safe so erroring on side of caution). I am enjoying doing this enough though I may take a course at local junior college as they offer a Saturday 4 or 5 week type of thing.

 

[siscoken]

A welding course is a great idea.... even tho I had been welding for a long time self taught.... about 15 yrs ago I was off work and recovering from hip surgery and decided to take full course in stick and tested out in the 4 positions.
A couple common mistakes that are over looked
Don't wear auto darkening glasses under your helmet.
Use magnifier lens in helmet if needed
If you are having trouble seeing try setting your helmet to darker .... if you are too light your eyes start adjusting.

 

[PupTruck]

A welding course is a great idea.... even tho I had been welding for a long time self taught.... about 15 yrs ago I was off work and recovering from hip surgery and decided to take full course in stick and tested out in the 4 positions.
A couple common mistakes that are over looked
Don't wear auto darkening glasses under your helmet.
Use magnifier lens in helmet if needed
If you are having trouble seeing try setting your helmet to darker .... if you are too light your eyes start adjusting.

If there is a welding course available, definitely take it, even if its just for fun or a side hobby. It's nice to practice in a booth and learn different techniques from other students and instructors that have been in the field. Attending a trade school for welding and machining years ago gave me a fantastic jump start before diving into my career.

 

[Melnic]

This was on my bucket list for years to have basic welding skills and equipment.

I started on my welding venture Fall of 2024. I started with a cheap stick welder and struggled with getting spark going, then switched to a combo unit that I use as a flux core wire fed unit. I read/viewed a lot of reviews to come to this unit. It can upgrade to gas if I want. Only complaint is that I don't have total control of feed rate which made welding stainless flux core impossible as the feed rate could not be altered enough to use it.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRR78HM7?th=1

I spent hours doing practice welds and joining up scrap metal to each other before finally doing a true project.
The first one was a highway peg mount for my Bonneville which turned out really great for me. very happy about it and functional.
I have a project next to extend down a mount on crash bars for my FJR that I just can't find anything off the shelf to clamp on that works for me.
Welded and cleaned up before painting.

 

[Myuncles650]

This was on my bucket list for years to have basic welding skills and equipment.

I started on my welding venture Fall of 2024. I started with a cheap stick welder and struggled with getting spark going, then switched to a combo unit that I use as a flux core wire fed unit. I read/viewed a lot of reviews to come to this unit. It can upgrade to gas if I want. Only complaint is that I don't have total control of feed rate which made welding stainless flux core impossible as the feed rate could not be altered enough to use it.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRR78HM7?th=1

I spent hours doing practice welds and joining up scrap metal to each other before finally doing a true project.
The first one was a highway peg mount for my Bonneville which turned out really great for me. very happy about it and functional.
I have a project next to extend down a mount on crash bars for my FJR that I just can't find anything off the shelf to clamp on that works for me.
Welded and cleaned up before painting.


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Nice work!!

 

[OHRider]

I knew an old farmer that kept his stick welding rods in an old refrigerator out in the barn.

My Dad did the same with 100 watt light bulb to keep them dry