First Stick in 50 Years a Challenge

[CaddmannQ]

I’ve done lots of oxy acetelyene welding since I was a teenager, and I have had a bit of MIG and Spray Arc practice. I have burned some steel with my new TIG welder too, but this is the first time I have lit up a stick welder in nearly 50 years.

I was amazed that it came out this well but I turned it down too much after I made the initial tack on the right and had an ugly start. I turned it back up a little bit and skipped past that to make a fairly good bead.

The new TIG welder actually makes a pretty good arc welder, once I figured out that the MMA switch actually means SMAW to me.

At least I remembered to reverse the polarity right off.

This was done with some brand new 6013 rod from Harbor freight. It seemed a little lacking on penetration. I ended up welding at about 90 A when I thought it should be closer to 65.

Anyhow based on this and the fact that I am 67 years old I won’t be turning professional welder anytime soon.

[digger doug]

Next time try using a helmet.....

I like 7014 on A.C. these days.

[digr]

Originally Posted by digger doug

next time try using a helmet.....:d

i like 7014 on a.c. These days.

lol-------------

[Ironman]

Originally Posted by digger doug

Next time try using a helmet.....

And a bit more heat. and work the puddle a bit to counter undercutting from more heat.
You will get penetration and a nice blended transition zone.

[digger doug]

Originally Posted by Ironman

And a bit more heat. and work the puddle a bit to counter undercutting from more heat.
You will get penetration and a nice blended transition zone.

I would agree, and say (if it's what I think you mean)
"More weaving, less whipping"
I would also stand the rod up more, less drag angle.

[CaddmannQ]

Originally Posted by digger doug

Next time try using a helmet.....

I like 7014 on A.C. these days.

I can’t blame this on the helmet. It’s a Miller and I spent nearly $400!

I’m going to blame it on the rods. LOL

No, really, 50 years is a long time to go without practice.

6013 wouldn’t have been my first choice but it was what they had on the shelf.

The sad fact is that Fresno OXY is closer than Harbor freight. I could’ve bought some high-quality rods there for a couple bucks more.

This welder will do AC welding. I’ve just never done it that way so I don’t have a clue yet.

[CaddmannQ]

Originally Posted by Ironman

And a bit more heat. and work the puddle a bit to counter undercutting from more heat.
You will get penetration and a nice blended transition zone.

They probably would’ve helped if I had 3/16 inch rod instead of one eighth, as I’m trying to do a fillet on the edge of a 1/8 thick pipe.

That’s the second tack there on the right, and I’m not showing you the first tack (on the opposite side) that actually blew a little hole through the pipe.

It is quite a gas working with this new welder. The last stick welder I used was one of those huge World War II 300 amp Lincoln transformers. It had a 12 inch steering wheel on the front with a necking knob.

Anyhow this is the raw view. All I did was chip off the slag with a hammer and what you see is what I did. I’m just glad I don’t do this for a living. All the prep work and grinding is rough.

Being a hobbyist, anytime I get tired frustrated or unhappy I can just turn the torch off and go have a beer.

[CaddmannQ]

Originally Posted by digger doug

Next time try using a helmet.....

I like 7014 on A.C. these days.

Will the amperage be about the same as DC welding or will it take more or less?

[digger doug]

Originally Posted by CaddmannQ

Will the amperage be about the same as DC welding or will it take more or less?

You will turn it up more than with D.C., and you'll not have any arc blow/wander.

[BukitCase]

Unless you still have that 300 amp Lincoln, I think you meant 3/32" not 3/16" - but yeah, I find that NOT welding for just a couple MONTHS requires FIRST getting the rust off of ME - much less 50 YEARS... Steve