400 lbs of fire n fury

[group44]

My new (used) machine   Story goes it came from a welding school, so hopefully it hasn't been worked too hard since its birth in 2005. Judging from the appearance alone, it has been cared for at least.

https://plus.google.com/118103180001393203732/posts/PfPwZE5KFkY

Will be a little while yet before I can officially strike my first arc. Needless to say, I'm dying to get it fully up and running.

Can't thank you enough for all your time and guidance Wallhugger. Just know, it has only just begun.  So if any of ya need a trailer welded back together when you're passing through Ohio, look me up.

[Wallhugger60]

Noice ! You'll be making cart frames in no time  . Usually school machines are a good bet. They are seldom abused and even seldomer pushed to the limit. Looks like you got the good cooler. Like to see a good shot of the main panel. It's a different layout than most I've seen. Glad you got one, I know it's been driving ya nuts lol. I'm hear if ya need a hand.

Wall

[group44]

So here's a better pic of the control panel.

https://plus.google.com/118103180001393203732/posts/bq5tcjckGqK

You can see all the blanked off knobs on the right. That upper row is for the plug n play pulser controls that I'm thinking I'll might spring for down the road. Below those is where a set of knobs for the sequencer would go. That I'll probably skip on as I can't really envision having much of a use for it yet.

[group44]

So I'm far from calling myself a welder, but at least I can say I've fused some metal now. Here's a pic of my first ever attempt on running a 'pad of beads' with a 6013 stick electrode. Took a couple tweaks to get the weld settings to a workable state. By the last bead at the bottom of the plate things were starting to make sense. Even after a fair bit of studying up on what to watch for, staring through a welding helmet is certainly a unique perspective. Can't tell ya how cool it is to see the weld puddle and slag as they flow into and over the weld.



Below is my first crack at a fillet weld in the horizontal position. Has some slag holes at the start and end, and is far from perfect, but I was quite pleased being my first true weld ever. Just starting to scratch the surface on what I need to know. And that's just for stick welding, I haven't even tried firing up the TIG torch yet. Busy summer is busy. Which reminds me, where the hell is clacksman?

[Wallhugger60]

Looks good man   
It's the "How do you get to Carnegie Hall" thing so keep at it. I'm sure you will and hopefully you're happy you did this lol. 

Notes* Pointy welds typically mean your progression is too fast and hopefully you didn't buy that 6013, or didn't buy much. Those middle number rods (6013, 7024) do that inclusion pocket a lot unless you run hot so don't feel bad about those two voids. Most peeps get em in the middle too  . 

Well you're off and runnin now lol, any questions give me a shout.

Wall

[group44]

I guarantee you I'm not only extremely happy I finally did it, I'm also glad I took your advice and went all in. That welder will be able to do a lot more than I'm capable of for quite some time yet.

Got a small box of the 6013 as it seemed to be the universally accepted 'beginner' rod. With its easy arc starts and restarts, it serves its purpose well at just getting me some hood time. I'm really just planning on burning it all up on scrap anyway   While i was at the local welding supply, I also picked up some 7018 and tried to get some of the 6011 5P+ you had mentioned. Sales guy said all they had in stock were 50 lb boxes of the root pass rod, so I'm waiting for them to restock in something a little smaller. Once that's in and I get some more practice, hopefully I can build up enough confidence to try my hand at my first real project, a stand to hold everything 

[Wallhugger60]

Well if you can make the 7018 run like that fillet in the last pic, you'll be building all kinds of shit lol. Don't skimp on the casters if you make the cart/stand thing a roll around. Rule of thumb is any two wheels should take the load, or you can do what I do and just get castors rated for the load. 400 lbs. = qty. 4- 400 lb castors. When they get some 10# boxes of 5p+ you'll like it I'm pretty sure. same thing with the easy start and you don't get the slag pockets from running too cold. Won't look quite as nice as the 6013, but that's why they make 7018 lol. 

On a similar topic, I just got an Adjunct Welding Instructor position at Savannah Technical College    (Like I don't have enough on my plate), so I'll be teaching 5 nights a week.

[group44]

That's awesome news on the instructor gig. Though with me trying to learn at the same time, you might want to make your schedule out for 6 nights a week to account for my instruction too   

[Wallhugger60]

Lol, I think mostly what yer gonna need is seat time. You can text me and I'll hit ya back when I can. Also, class starts at 6 so anytime before that is fine. I do own my own business so I won't get yelled at for takin a call during working hours  . Talk to ya soon

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