Author	[Modern View]
charlie M 06-20-2012 17:54:01 74.34.216.81 Report to Moderator	Looking for a little advice on a small welding job. I'm very much an amateur welder. I have the wheel off of the rear of the older New Idea hay rakes that I want to try welding. It is a 2 piece wheel so it come apart in halves. Its solid metal and will clean up. It has a split on one side where the rim meets the flat metal plate that bolt the 2 halves together, about 4 inches long.I'm looking for a suggestion on type of rod (I'm assuming a general purpose rod will work) and a starting point for amp setting. I have a Lincoln stick welder.I seem to always have a problem with burning a hole when trying to get started.Any pointers would be helpful. [Reply]   [No Email]
soundguy 06-21-2012 18:10:30 173.104.17.41 Report to Moderator	Re: Welding questions in reply to charlie M, 06-20-2012 17:54:01   tire off. clean out crack.. v cut and drill stop it. if ac.. go 6011 1/8 on about 90a. 6013 is not a bad rod.. just low penetration. if the 6011 makes it ugly.. grind.. or topcoat with 6013 and then grind.. your call. btdt.. easy fix for you to learn with. tip.. bolt the rim to a piece of flat stock to keep it from warpin.. ( shouldn't on a small weld.. ) [Reply]  [No Email]
Billy NY 06-21-2012 06:47:43 67.248.100.3 Report to Moderator	Re: Welding questions in reply to charlie M, 06-20-2012 17:54:01   Here is a link to the video that shows what happens when you weld a rim with a tire mounted on it, same thing can happen even if the bead is broke, tire loosely on rim. Absolutely remove and separate tire and rim when welding. Pyrolysis [Reply]  [No Email]
Dusty MI 06-22-2012 04:35:02 108.88.167.219 Report to Moderator	Re: Welding questions in reply to Billy NY, 06-21-2012 06:47:43   Quoting Removed, click Modern View to see EVERYONE should watch this safety video. Thanks Billy for posting it. Dusty [Reply]  [No Email]
Stick welding 06-20-2012 22:13:00 96.53.210.246 Report to Moderator	Re: Welding questions in reply to charlie M, 06-20-2012 17:54:01   Make sure the tire is off the rim. I'm guessing you just have an AC welder. 6013 aren't a very good rod. A better choice would 7014 for a wheel like you have or 7018 if your welder will burn it. 7014 is an easy rod to use and hold an arc. 1/8" or 3/32" (if you're worried about burning through) would work. Clean it up good with a grinder or file but practice your welding on some scrap first. Weld from the end of the crack towards the good part of the wheel so you don't leave the crater at the end or burn a hole. Actually welding from both ends towards the center of the crack is the best way as it doesn't leave a crater for a crack to start. Let it cool by itself and then weld the other side. You can grind the weld flat where it bolts to the plate if you need to. A 1/8" rod should be about 120 to 135 amps and a 3/32" around 90 to 105. If you don't feel confident enough to do the repair, it wouldn't be very expensive to have a shop weld it for you. [Reply]  [No Email]
DiyDave 06-20-2012 19:14:32 96.244.156.97 Report to Moderator	Re: Welding questions in reply to charlie M, 06-20-2012 17:54:01   Vee out the crack, and drill a hole, at each end, if possible. Buy yourself a box of 6013 rod (it's forgiving, and easy to use, less slag adherence)1/8-3/16" diameter. As to the initial setting, try around 90-100 AMP, and remember that the sound of a good weld is like bacon fryin. [Reply]  [No Email]
dandeere 06-20-2012 18:25:56 75.73.138.108 Report to Moderator	Re: Welding questions in reply to charlie M, 06-20-2012 17:54:01   Hey Charlie, PLEASE TAKE THAT TIRE OFF RIM before welding. Google tire welding explosion! I'd try 1/8" 7018 at about 120 amps. Dan [Reply]  [No Email]
charlie M 06-21-2012 18:50:09 74.34.216.81 Report to Moderator	Re: Welding questions in reply to dandeere, 06-20-2012 18:25:56   I wouldn't even had considered trying to weld the rim with the tire on it as for no other reason I would have expected the tire to melt or catch fire. Tire has a tube also. Thanks to everybody for the advice. I'm going to give it a shot this weekend. [Reply]  [No Email]