Re: Welding Newbie

Petersen Vise Grip 6R - 6"

Re: Welding Newbie

New model MIG Welder. Check it out.

http://toolguyd.com/2010/04/new-18v-rechargeable-mig-welder/

Re: Welding Newbie

In welding just like woodworking one can't have too many clamps.

Unior Right Angle grip pliers.

Re: Welding Newbie

Nice! How much are they?

Re: Welding Newbie

1,580 pesos

I'll pair it with my stationary right angle vise so I can check the diagonals before welding the final segment of a square to avoid a parallelogram.

Re: Welding Newbie

I always buy Vise Grip locking pliers but these are sometimes too cumbersome to use because you always need to adjust the pressure screw for different material thickness. Due to this I decided to try these Lockjaw locking pliers. What's good about it is you can set a pressure you want and it will adjust itself to different material thickness. Although these do not have the tremendous clamping pressure of Vise Grips it's convenience is the selling point.

Testing some hacksaw blades too on the folding table I'm building. Will see which one is better.

Top to bottom

Bahco Sandvik Sandflex Bi Metal ( Sweden )

The Starret Company Bi Metal ( Brazil )

Lenox Bi Metal ( USA )

MK Morse Bi Metal Cobalt ( USA )

Re: Welding Newbie

This is how my folding metal table work stands now.

Purchased different rod types and sizes. Made some rod storage using pvc pipes too to at least keep some moisture out.

3/32" and 1/8" rods. High penetration ( 6011 ) , high tensile strength ( 7018 ), filler drag rods ( 7024 ) and the widely used ones ( 6013 )

Re: Welding Newbie

It's also good to have a piece of flat bar to use for testing arc strikes before welding the actual joints.

If I was to have only one angle grinder then I would choose the variable speed Bosch. Very versatile and well balanced ( hindi nakaka ngawit gamitin ). Not a baby too at 850 watts. Extra money paid well spent.

Re: Welding Newbie

A lot say that welding work is 90% metal preparation and 10% doing the actual joining. I too found that clean metals are easier to weld.

This flap disk is very good in cleaning the parts to be welded.

Weld using 7024 drag electrodes. No need to maintain a constant arc gap. Just stick it and literally drag it on the pieces to be welded. Very easy to use electrodes but can be used only on the flat position. No vertical or overhead welding because these do not solidify quickly.

Will later grind the excess weld fill up to make it flush.

Re: Welding Newbie

Not all consumables like wire wheels and brushes are made equally. The saying that you get what you pay for holds true. The good ones usually cost a bit more but last a bit longer too. An added value is that these usually are well balanced so are easier on the arms and the tools itself.

Craftsman

The pics below are of the cheaper types. These vibrate a lot and after using one feels very tired with arms trembling just because of the extra effort needed to control the grinder. I'm going to be choosy now purchasing wire wheels and brushes.

Harbor Freight

Re: Welding Newbie

Found a good Drop Forged Steel C Clamp today with 3" jaw opening. Too bad it was the last piece because I could use one more. These would be very useful in force clamping metals together.

The ones sold at malls had failed me a few times already.

Re: Welding Newbie

Found a good Wilton Drop Forged Steel C Clamp today with 3" jaw opening. Too bad it was the last piece because I could use one more. These would be very useful force clamping metals together.

The ones sold at malls had failed me a few times already.

Re: Welding Newbie

I maybe have 3 clamps that look like the clamps in the 2nd photo :(.

Thanks for posting about those drag electrodes. I'll try remember to buy some.

I also like your idea of using PVC pipes to store electrodes. You're right about keeping moisture away. I keep my SS electrodes in one of those spaghetti air tight containers. I'd do the same for the regular electrodes but I haven't found a container long enough.

Re: Welding Newbie

I maybe have 3 clamps that look like the clamps in the 2nd photo :(.

Thanks for posting about those drag electrodes. I'll try remember to buy some.

I also like your idea of using PVC pipes to store electrodes. You're right about keeping moisture away. I keep my SS electrodes in one of those spaghetti air tight containers. I'd do the same for the regular electrodes but I haven't found a container long enough.

The Lotus and KYK clamps are good for clamping even surfaces with slight pressure. However for clamping uneven metal surfaces together they would not hold up.

Drag electrodes are great for flat welding position. Easy arc strikes and high filler deposition. I usually bevel the edges to be joined to make better welds. If I need high strength welds then I usually use 6011 deep penetration electrodes for the first pass then cap it with 7024s.

PVC pipes are great to store the electrodes. The PVC caps I made are loaded with silica gel to help absorb moisture.

I need to try the SS electrodes too. IIRC you mentioned that these are good to use even on mild steel.

Re: Welding Newbie

I finally got my Western Enterprises Flashback Flame Arrestors for my Victor Oxy Ace Torch. It gives some peace of mind knowing I have these on the Torch and Regulator side.

The Torch Side