TOTM welding tips/tricks
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 1
From: SoCal, San Fernando
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Originally Posted by Trev1006
Its cast. I have alot of experience on cast tho. You can crack it if you don't know what your doing. I pre heat it untill the moisture is gone, groove er out with a grinder, weld it, then cool it naturally. I weld axles for everyone I know, never a crack yet. About 900 and counting! Lol. I use hard wire for it not flux. Castings have ALOT of impurities in them, so getting a nice weld can be difficult.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,401
Likes: 0
From: Montpelier, Ohio
Year: 92
Engine: 4.0
This is steel to cast as well. Once I have it heated, I do axle tubes in one weld, rotating as I weld. I put about 6 1/4" stitch welds around it first. Then one nice fat weave pass. Pumpkins are higher quality castings than other things tho. Like try and weld a crappy socket to something, it will just blow and pop .
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 1
From: SoCal, San Fernando
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Originally Posted by Trev1006
This is steel to cast as well. Once I have it heated, I do axle tubes in one weld, rotating as I weld. I put about 6 1/4" stitch welds around it first. Then one nice fat weave pass. Pumpkins are higher quality castings than other things tho. Like try and weld a crappy socket to something, it will just blow and pop .
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 597
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
I'm saving for a welder right. I'm going to spend a lot up front cause I want a good one that will produce good welder and last a while... Going to weld up bumpers and suspension Components..would the hobart 210 mvp be a good choice?
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,401
Likes: 0
From: Montpelier, Ohio
Year: 92
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by Jeepineasy
I'm saving for a welder right. I'm going to spend a lot up front cause I want a good one that will produce good welder and last a while... Going to weld up bumpers and suspension Components..would the hobart 210 mvp be a good choice?
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 682
Likes: 0
From: Elk River, Minnesota
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,246
Likes: 1
From: Missouri
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0 L
What would be a good stick or wire or whatever it's called to weld with on an old Lincoln 220 stick welder? I'm just getting into it. Mainly for practice use until I get better at welding. Thanks
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,059
Likes: 1
From: Indianola IOWA
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Buy the biggest machine you can afford. and practice.
down hill is fine up to 1/4 on a 200+ amp machine. anything over that you really should go up hill. up hill gives the best penetration. down hill is easier for people to make look pretty
down hill is fine up to 1/4 on a 200+ amp machine. anything over that you really should go up hill. up hill gives the best penetration. down hill is easier for people to make look pretty
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 682
Likes: 0
From: Elk River, Minnesota
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
6011 rods are pretty versatile for welding and does good on rusty, dirty stuff. Rod size will vary on what amperage you are welding with NOT thickness of metal you are welding...As in a using 1/8" rods with 75-100 amps, if there is burn through dropping the welder below 75 amps is generally not a good idea for proper fusion so you drop a rod size along with amperage.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 590
Likes: 1
From: Metro Detroit
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.7 Hesco stroker
A quick question for you seasoned welders......reversing polarity on my machine, do I simply flip flop the two large gauge wires on the terminal lugs inside the machine? Being somewhat new to welding, this is the first I've heard of switching polarity. My machine is a Blue Point Mig115, if that helps any. I can snap pictures too, if that helps.....thanks in advance.