welding

[mulisha_mike]

Ok i bought a 110 v arc welder hopping to use it to build a ramp, i was told that it could weld 1/4 inch steel no problem. I was trying to pratice a little before i ordered my metal and i cant get any penatration, that is if i can even get a bead. I am using a 6011 arc stick, i think that if you get other ones it will be eaiser to make a good bead but i dont know what i should get, and the sticks i have arent in a air/water proof container so i was thinking that maybe some moisture could also be the problem. the problem with getting a bead is that it usually sticks or else it wont strike an arc. by the way i am welding on 1/8 inch steel if that makes a difference

Can any help, please dont say i need to buy a 220 v welder:(

[enslow]

nah mate ya dont need a 220 v welder...out at the farm we have a 110v...and we weld shit alot thinker than quarter inch...it could be the moisture but I have never had that problem...ya sure ya have got ya earth hooked up...hahaha..I'm sure ya do..

ahhhh, I really dont know mate..did ya buy the welder 2nd hand or new????ya best bet will be ask the bloke that ya bought it off...

cheers mate>>>TOMMO

[meesh]

hey boys is a stick welder even strong enough? i was told i'd be needin to weld my ramp with a MIG......anyone?

[Gropey]

we made this ramp with an arc welder, and its perfectly fine. did have a bit of trouble with the welds on the mesh reaking off but thats coz there wasnt enough welds on there, all good now. so yes arc welders to build a ramp are fine but id prefer a mig any day, got a mig to build the new ramp and its way better, but an arc will work if u hafto, just takes a little longer

[meesh]

thanks gropes, that looks like a nice kicker ya have there, any pics of ya bustin?

[original_sin]

where u live mulisha mike? u can borrow my mig if ya live on the gold coast (if ur welder is broken)

[mulisha_mike]

i dont think i will be able to borrow your weld seing i live in the centeral area, of the US. I have been dinking around and i think i will try to get some different rods cause i have used a somthing like a 6013 or somthing and that worked good i just got the 6011s cause they came with the welder.
and about the arc being strong enough they are easier for me to get a strong weld compared to mig, but maybe thats just me. and they work great on thicker metal and on thing that dont need to look "pretty" but if you want your welds to look better and have a easier time welding on thinner stuff the mig is better.

i took a 10 week class on welding in school doing all the same welds on both a mig and arc and i did better on the arc, thats why i bought a arc welder and they are way cheaper

[The Snitz]

Mate, check to see if the earth is hooked on well, secondly, check see how many amps it's on. If it's not arcing very well, crank up the amps and you should be fine.

[mulisha_mike]

i got it cranked up all the way i thikn that my rods are wet, that could be taken wrong. and i feel like a dumb ass but what do you mean check the earth?

[The Snitz]

There should be a lead coming from the welder with a big clamp on it. That's the "Earth" It's what actually conducts the electricity to weld. Make sure u have it clamped onto ur metal and then you'll be right :D

[enslow]

yeh no earth, no arc...I told ya that before mike...

just make sure that the clamp is fully tight, get a steel brush out and scrape the metal before ya put it on...

I bet ya its ya earth...lol

cheers mate...

[mulisha_mike]

no i just had no idea what you were talking about cause over here in the US we call that the ground and i said i could get it to work some times, if it wasnt clamped on i would have no arc

[The Snitz]

Ahhh foreign communication problems again, damn beaurocracy got it wrong! ;)

Mate, maybe take it back to wherever u bought it and get them to have a look, cos really there isn't that much to a welder, it either works or it doesn't. You've changed sticks and that hasn't helped, clamped earth on, presumably it's turned on :p (Just a jab in the ribs, only kiddin man) so there really isn't much more u can check, send it in, and see what they say. Have a good one mate and I hope construction of ur ramp happens ASAP!

[mulisha_mike]

i havent tryed different sticks yet, seing i dont have my license and the nearest place to buy them is over 30 minutes away. Im gonna try and get some as soon as possible

[enslow]

jump on ya moto and get down there mike...hahaha

I hope its just the sticks...

che should be alright mate...

cheers...

[ChAgAp]

Turn the volts right up.
I bought a welder from supercheapauto for $160 ans its a electric welider and it has 140amps on it and it really good, thats whet im using for mt ramp. Yearh...Make sure its eartjed propley and use the bush they give ya to get rid of the grime left over before you start.
Good luck.

[meesh]

SERIOUSLY? you bought a welder from supercheap what are they like bro? any good?

[kb lock]

mate just use some 2.5 gp's they r the best all round welding rod.
Once the welder is set wright it all comes down to u bein able 2 weld