Since everyone else is doing it, here's a few welds from a track bar mount I made out of a 2" ID hitch adapter, Eastwood 135 .035 flux core wire, I got the welder about 8 months ago, only thing I'm unhappy about is I feel like I go through tips like crazy, if anyone has any advice feel free to give it.




Also sorry if the pics are huge

 

Contact tips or the mig nozzle??

Use some nozzle gel, helps with spatter sticking to the nozzle/tip. Makes them last a little longer, also get a flux core specific nozzle. Flux core is notorious for killing contact tips/nozzles.

 

Yeah I have a Flux core nozzle, I need to pick up some nozzle gel

 

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Those welds look fine. No reason to hide them.

But why are the pics so damned Big? <g>

PHM
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Some people have the need to overcompensate for something.

 

How do you like that welder? Have you ran any solid core with it yet? I've heard a lot of good things about the Eastwoods and I'm considering getting one in hopefully a few months.

 

It does pretty good, when I first got it there was an issue with the drive roller motor, but they warrantied it however the part took about a month to come because it was back ordered. Other than that no issues, it isn't good on anything really thin but that's probably due to the Flux core. I haven't got the chance to run solid wire yet but the welder comes with some solid wire and a gas regulator, I just don't have a bottle. It's my first welder and the only machine I've ever used so I don't have much to compare to but I like it, especially for the price.

 

Yeah, flux core is really hard to do sheet metal with without blowing through it. Not only have I been told that by just about every welder I've encountered, but also experienced it first hand. Just can't get the heat down low enough. Now, a seasoned pro or journeyman might have enough finesse to be able to work the torch so that he doesn't blow through the sheet metal, but a beginner or novice, not so much.

Good to hear about the welder. Sucks that the part took so long though.

 

Get rid of the flux core and get yourself some solid core wire and shielding gas. You won't clog the nozzle and it won't be as messy

 

I muchhhhhhhhhh rather TIG sheet metal versus MIG just for that reason.

Anyone ever do any oxyfuel welding? I was actually pretty darn good at welding aluminum plate with an oxy torch. Talk about a small window for error. Once you see that puddle form you best get your *** moving and feeding rod in or you'll blow a big ol hole in your material. Unfortunately I don't have any pics so you'll have to take my word on it

 

Pssh!!!! If only! I'll be doing good to pony up the dough for a decent MIG, let alone a TIG. I'd definitely like to get a torch setup one day though. Just something about torch welding... almost a lost art. I'd also like to learn stick too.

 

I hear ya. I pulled the trigger on a good mig (snap-on muscle mig) but wish I could afford a TIG. I honestly don't weld enough to justify the price of a TIG. My MIG handles everything I really need to do.

Working with a torch is definitely an art. I honestly love using an oxy torch. I'm pretty surgical with it. My signature move would be cutting the outside pipe off the inside pipe without damaging the inner on exhausts

 

My turn for some pictures! For all the TIG stuff, I use a Miller 250 syncrowave. Made these arms for the Bug.





For all the MIG stuff, I just have a little Lincoln 125. Anything over 3/16" gets the TIG.









Making a header





I will have to see if I have any pictures on this computer of some of the aluminum I welded recently. I love welding aluminum!

 

To gas weld aluminum - first light your torch way too rich and use it to soot up what you want to weld.

Remember: soot burns at just about the same temperature that aluminum melts. (repeat this to yourself like a mantra)

Then, after the pre-sooting, when you are looking for the puddle - Watch The Soot. And when it glows -THAT is your moment. Aluminum is 'quick' - it has almost no plastic-range. One second it's there; solid - and the next second it's gone; liquid.

Watch the Soot. <g>

PHM
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