First time useful welding

tracto-man · Nov 19, 2016

A while back I posted about my finally getting a welder and beginning the learning process. Thanks everyone for your help! Many rods, pieces of scrap meta, and a trip to a welders shop later, I was fairly pleased with a simple bead I could make. Starting trying some various other rods too, but mainly use 7018 and 6011. Snow started falling today, and, being the crazy nut that I am, I figured it'd be nice to try out some of the snowmobiles that I got over the Summer. Only one that would run and drive With parts on hand needed a ski. So some grinding, some brushing, and some 6011, with the amps pretty much as low as I could go as it's pretty thin metal. Did it on 110v as I haven't got 220 wired up yet. I've got a lot more learning to go obviously, Lol. Kinda tried to melt that flat seal into the ski as it's a bend there and that's the best metal i could come up with at the moment. Just good to know I could kinda at least make some metal stick together in a pinch for now.

blue water massey · Nov 19, 2016

you'll get it
looks better than mine from last week
had to weld up the exhaust on the plow truck just a cple tacks
think I could hit the seam used most of a rod but got two spots on either side
I hate upside down welding in confined spaces
you'll get it keep practising it'll become 2nd nature

JD Seller · Nov 19, 2016

I will tell you to get the 220 hooked up. I have welded for over 50 years and I can not hold a very good bead on those 110 volt welders. The rest is practice.

MarkB_MI · Nov 20, 2016

For light stuff I like to use oxyacetylene. It's easier to control the heat with a torch than with a stick or wire-feed welder.

DGinVT · Nov 20, 2016

You might want to keep a few pieces of flat copper bar stock on hand for back up plates behind the weld. Aluminum can also be used. These plates will draw off the heat from the arc. If you have a small hole, you can place a small piece of steel behind the hole on the back side and weld across across the hole until it is filled. When filled the excess metal can be ground down on both sides for a good finish. Practice all you can get.

rrlund · Nov 20, 2016

I had a new experience the other day. Been welding since I was probably 10 or 12,always used 1/8th rod. Usually 7013 or 6011. Even had a year of metal shop in high school,but with 1/8th rod. I bought some smaller stuff at a yard sale this past summer. I don't know what size it is,doesn't say on the box,but it's 6013,probably half the diameter I've always used. I had to weld a large patch in the bottom of the silage cart and used that stuff. WOW! It lays a bead on thinner plate like pouring melted lead. I should have tried it 40 years ago.

Gary Mitchell · Nov 20, 2016

I too was "raised on" 6011. I got ahold of some 6013 a few years ago and never looked back. As my eyes have gotten worse it's a lot easier for me to follow than 6011 which seems to spatter more, hence doesn't weld as smoothly. Some say it doesn't penetrate well but I find that if one turns up the heat and keeps poking it in there 6013 does anything I want it to. I also found that reading up on stick welding is a good way to better understand what you see when you practice. gm

dr sportster · Nov 20, 2016

You are better off with some clean coupons to practice on. As I posted before ;I think you will like it a lot better on 220 volt hook up. A Seabee told me how to weld sheet metal with arc. Turn heat UP [ yes UP] use 6013 [ mild penetration rod ]. Move across the work so fast there is hardly time for a deposit but just enough. Don't forget to practice fillet welds with two pieces at 90 degrees.{7018] That junk your trying to weld needs alot more prep. Alot more. The reason why your piece added is not tacking well to the base is dirt.

teddy52food · Nov 20, 2016

Bet those 6013 welds look like chicken $hit too!

tracto-man · Nov 20, 2016

Yes I do plan on getting 220. When I went to the welders place we used 220 and I noticed a HUGE difference. I also do realize I didn't prep it NEARLY as much as I should have. Only needed it to last a little while till I get a new ski as it is what you say, Junk.

dr sportster · Nov 20, 2016

Hey , I just reread that . I should not say junk . Change that to stuff.

dr sportster · Nov 20, 2016

Arc welding sheet metal is not pretty.

Brad Gyde · Nov 21, 2016

Old Arctic Cat??

I MIGHT have a few usable ski's over in the barn at my mom and dad's... They'd be off of a John Deere, but they will mount up in most cases, just use different wear rods (and since you have a welder I'll bet you never buy another wear rod again, just make em yourself). I'd be willing to let em go cheap if I do have em still.

Sure wish I would have kept one or 2 of my old Deere sleds.. Had a lot of fun fixing on them and even more fun riding em.. Sure I'll find another one someday.

Brad

tracto-man · Nov 21, 2016

Yep, 1978 Panther. I have a couple jags at a buddy's place that I can grab a ski off next time I'm over his way. Thanks for the offer though! And thanks again for the
tools! Sure helps to have what I need right there instead of waiting a couple days to go borrow the needed tool.

Seen a couple of the JD sleds over the Summer. Thought about the trailfires, but never did get one. Just kinda end up with older sleds over the summer or buy em cheap,
then sell em for a few bucks more when the seasons on.

First time useful welding

tracto-man

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blue water massey

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JD Seller

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MarkB_MI

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DGinVT

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rrlund

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Gary Mitchell

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dr sportster

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teddy52food

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tracto-man

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dr sportster

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dr sportster

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Brad Gyde

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tracto-man

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