Welding Tips and Tricks.

[melloelky]

keep your materials as clean and as close as possible whether you're adding filler or just fusing together.a little run on time(pre&post)gas might help keep the puddle a little bit cleaner as will trimming the end your filler after each weld.knipex makes an awesome pair of hand bolt cutters that work very well(cuts tungsten no problem)but a new pair of cutters from harbor freight work good on most rods too.
you don't need a wireless pedal,the wired one's work excellent..it doesn't matter how much weld p*rn you look @ Instagram practice will prevail..worry about welding a dick on a snowman later..

 

[RabbitHoleSS]

You can get flash burn thru your eyelids. It sucks. I was just holding stuff while the journeyman was welding. No hood or safety glasses. I just closed my eyes and turned my head. When I got home that night it hit me. It felt like someone poured concrete in my eyes. Open or closed it hurt the same. Also tie your shoes real good. Getting weld splatter in your boots is no fun. Have a fire extinguisher handy and make sure the area is well ventilated.
Get the metal as clean as possible. This includes in-between welding. Knock all that brown crap off with a wire brush before starting again. On sheet metal make sure you snip the little tit off the wire every time you restart. Take care of your consumables. Clean the nozzle/diffuser often and use nozzle gel to keep the mig splatter from ruining them.Practice on the same kind of metal your gonna weld so you can dial in the welder. Pay attention to how much heat your putting into the metal on thinner ga metal. Remember DC+ for mig and DC- for flux on a wire feed machine. On my frame I used flux w/ shielding gas. It seemed to help get better penetrating and looking welds that way vs just flux core wire.
Look up weld.com Bob Moffatt. Good explainer of things and tons of info on all types of welding.

 

[565bbchevy]

For auto darkening helmets buy the best you can afford and 4 sensors are better than 2.
Make sure your outer lens is clean so you can see well and the sensors are not obstructed.
Also make sure your helmet is charged and test before use.

I use welding blankets and thin aluminum sheets or pieces to protect areas where I am welding.
I also use magnetic base lights with adjustable heads to get light as close as I can to the area I am working on and I also have a LED light that goes on my gun for tight areas.

As stated already keep your work area clean and don't leave towels etc. laying around than can catch on fire because sparks really do fly.

 

[Northernregal]

I have found while running the Tig, get comfortable, its more important than even having the exact right settings.

There are instagram welders that have pretty impressive linear bearing setups to stack the dimes on long welds for aluminum. Hand rests are VITAL for good looking welds.

 

[motorheadmike]

I have found while running the Tig, get comfortable, its more important than even having the exact right settings.

There are instagram welders that have pretty impressive linear bearing setups to stack the dimes on long welds for aluminum. Hand rests are VITAL for good looking welds.

View attachment 173590 View attachment 173591

And here I always thought they had robot hands.

 

[motorheadmike]

 

[Bonnewagon]

All of the above, especially be ready for an unexpected fire. It WILL happen. I once set my buddy's VW on fire while welding the exhaust. I calmly reached over and grabbed a beer to douse the flames with. He still won't trust me anymore.

 

[motorheadmike]

Made this guy out of scraps.

 

[fleming442]

Made this guy out of scraps.

View attachment 173601

Please explain to the ignorant of me

 

[64nailhead]

Please explain to the ignorant of me

Looks like a crack scratcher