had a go at welding

[salty21]

not sure if this is the right section so feel free to move it if its not.

we had some RSJ beams to fit at work this week which needed welding together in a 'T' shape to carry two walls. We usually get the same guys who provide the beam to weld them together for us when there in position, but my boss decided we were gonna start doing it ourselves and splashed out on an arc welder today.

none of us had ever done any welding before so i offered to have a go first as it's something i would like to learn and thought it would come in very handy for lots of things.

i would like to get pretty good at it eventually and hoped some kind folks in here could give me some pointers and any usefull advice they may have such as finding the right power setting an getting the rod travel right. heres a few pics of todays practice attempts.

first attempt
https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/weld_1.jpg

second attempt' a bit better but still wank
https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/weld_2.jpg

i found it really difficult to see what i was doing with the mask on, obviouslyly it was better once i had it arc'ing but still struggled to see even then.
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04 NSR 125(sold) ---- 03 CBR 600rr(sold) ----90 pan euro ST1100 '' ----02 CG 125
94 CB400 Super Four ---- 2000 VTR SP1 (sold) ---- 08 ninja p8f(sold, meh) ----05 CBR600rr

[Davo]

Good luck, you've picked one of the hardest welding to techniques to master.

I've just finished doing an Arc welding course at college. Is well worth getting yourself booked on one cost me £150 for a 12 week course (part time evenings). Otherwise get a ton of scrap metal and just keep practicing but it is definitely worth getting some professional tuition for the basics (especially if any of these RSJ's are to be load bearing)

The technique I use is to move the electrode in a small circular motion down where you want to place the bead. (Have a look on youtube for some of the instructional videos)

On the electrode packaging it will have what current range you can use, but will ultimately depend on type of electrode, thickness of metal to be welded and your deposition speed.

You will need to get your self a warm, dry area to store the electrodes as they are very sensitive to moisture.

You'll also need a chipping hammer (to remove the slag) etc... a good ventilation system. It's also well worth getting a decent grinder to tidy up the welds afterwards (e.g. removing splatter).

If your doing it a lot I can definitely recommend getting a "react-a-lite" helmet, these will stay light (so that you can see what your doing) then darken as soon as you strike the arc.

Sorry if it's a little jumbled but hope it helps a little.

[The Artist]

Why did he get an arc welder if none of you could do it?

Should have gotten a mig welder. First go on one of them was easy! Within 15 minutes, I could make a decent strong weld and don't have to worry about moving your arm in as the electrode gets shorter.

[salty21]

[69.9mph]

That first pic is a typical first attempt, it's called pigeon-shit welding for obvious reasons

Keep practising, move the stick more slowly and in a slight circular motion as you're moving along.

[Robby]

So I presume you're builders or similar, welding structural materials with no experience or training, and getting paid for it.

Care to let me know the name of the company, so that I can make sure you never, ever get anywhere near my house?

[salty21]

[MarJay]

[salty21]

training is for girls and gays

no but seriously if it was structural i wouldnt do it, im not sure you understand how non structural it actually is, it would not budge at all even if it wasnt welded it's more peice of mind than anything and it keeps the inspector sweet.
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04 NSR 125(sold) ---- 03 CBR 600rr(sold) ----90 pan euro ST1100 '' ----02 CG 125
94 CB400 Super Four ---- 2000 VTR SP1 (sold) ---- 08 ninja p8f(sold, meh) ----05 CBR600rr

[chrisw]

Not enough power and moving to quickly, you arn't forming a 'pool' of weld.

If this is to go near a building, don't, just don't

IIRC, last time there was a thread about welding, a few pros crept out of the wood work (or should that be metal?). Put a post in general if you actually want any advise.

[warped one]

Now to me that looks just like your, typical Vee-butt.

If it is here's a few things to remember and make your life easier.
Face angle of 33-35degrees
Normal 6013 rods a good, Fleets are the way to go with roots though, so much easier.
Get bloody comfy, the amount of times that I have be teaching people, and tell them to be comfy, then when they weld they just go all tense and tight.
If your going 'down hand' (on the bench) listen for a noise that resemble's what people call bacon frying but to me sounds like boiling water coming out a tin kettle.
Don't get pissed off, don't help you or the people around you when red hot noggins of metal are flying about your workshop.
Practise, practise, practise.
Wire brush all your welds to remove all the slag, this will reduce the changes of getting perosity or anyother nice stuff.

Cheers

Warped

P.s - Here's a few things for you to try before doing a vee-butt.
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amnesia - Never in the history of usernames has one been more accurate. Warped indeed. You sir are a fecking oddball.

[BanditsHigh]

If it's purely to hold the beams in place, even though you say they can't move ... why not just bolt them together with a thick metal strap?

Welding is a skill, it make look ok from the outside, but as mentioned above it's the penetration that matters.

[SoND]

It's far too cold and you're not pushing enough filler into it. Strike the arc, let the puddle get to the size you want before you move and keep it the same size the whole way down. Practice practice practice.
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Go back to bed - You have no rights - "Streetfighters ~ Mainstream motorcycling's crackwhore sister."