Welding Tips and Tricks.

[Bonnewagon]

It's a metal "finger" for holding stuff still while you weld.

 

[motorheadmike]

Please explain to the ignorant of me

It's called a helping or third hand. There are lots of different designs.

welding third hand at DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo. Privacy, Simplified.

duckduckgo.com

Looks like a crack scratcher

 

[64nailhead]

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.

This is GREAT advice that my shoes, socks and shirts indicate that I rarely take. Kidding of course, mostly.

The aluminum sheets works better than OK. It's hard to find scrap sheets.pieces of aluminum, but if you do, then save them for this purpose alone.

 

[Bonnewagon]

If you "find" a street or stop sign laying around, they make GREAT welding shields. I especially like sticking one between an exhaust pipe I'm welding and the floorboards.

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

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.

Its also better to get a helmet with adjustable shading. Blue eyed people like myself generally need darker shading than dark eyed people. Always test your helmet before welding.

When welding overhead wear ear plugs! Also with overhead MIG welding the contact tip should be flush or stick out a little past the nozzle.

 

[Supercharged111]

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.

I believe that is considered alcohol abuse sir.

 

[motorheadmike]

Just a couple of test passes on some dirty random mismatched stainless I found in the bin. No filler.

Some use coupons, I use poopons.

 

[Supercharged111]

 

[64nailhead]

I'm firm believer that welding for function takes a lot of practice, and welding for form requires some amount of concern for being artistic.
I'm a function over form guy - no doubt. I wanted to post my current welding excursion for those that feel they need big dollar equipment or have to hire their welding done. This is done with a $300 110v gas mig that is well used. I put this bung into a new downpipe I made a little bit ago. I did a bunch of things 'wrong' in terms of gas and type of wire.

This pipe is aluminized and the bung is stainless (China stainless). It has no leaks, no distortion and it's 100% functional. Form? The pipe s going to be wrapped in Titanium DEI stuff anyway - so there is no need for any amount of pretty.

My point to this post is every entry level person can be EXTREMELY functional on a budget and with a little practice.

 

[motorheadmike]

I'm firm believer that welding for function takes a lot of practice, and welding for form requires some amount of concern for being artistic.
I'm a function over form guy - no doubt. I wanted to post my current welding excursion for those that feel they need big dollar equipment or have to hire their welding done. This is done with a $300 110v gas mig that is well used. I put this bung into a new downpipe I made a little bit ago. I did a bunch of things 'wrong' in terms of gas and type of wire.

This pipe is aluminized and the bung is stainless (China stainless). It has no leaks, no distortion and it's 100% functional. Form? The pipe s going to be wrapped in Titanium DEI stuff anyway - so there is no need for any amount of pretty.

My point to this post is every entry level person can be EXTREMELY functional on a budget and with a little practice.

The exhaust on my TBSS is stainless MIG'd together with mild steel wire. Still holding strong after 8 years? Totally fine.