Often times we read that car article or watch that TV show where the project just goes so perfect. Their budget has no limit, and they use the best parts and even the inventor of the part flyes in to assemble/install it themselves. Master fabricators machine one off parts and Chip Foose does the pin striping. The host claims he did it all in a weekend and so can you, on a shoe string budget mind you...

Well this is no such article. This is about how to do something with little money, clipping coupons from the back of car magazines to buy a welding machine that you've wanted for god knows how long. This is about practicing your welding while your kids are at soccer in order not to burn their curious retinas. This is how to do something with no one standing over your sholder to guide you, but your buddies on this forum tipping their 12 ouncers and saying geterdone. And the experts cringing every step of the way.

So sit back relax and watch me learn, ask a question or better yet offer up some help, and if you don't see the next daily update you may wanna dial 911.

link to more pics: http://www.gregandsandy.com/302/welding.htm

 

with that welder, dont try to weld to thin of metal it will burn right through...thats the problem with flux core.... id start with practicing butt and lap joints with 1/8" plate, thats prob going to be the best way to get the "feel" of flowin the hot stuff..... and please tell me you bought a "real" helmet... your going to wanna protect them eyes and plus... your going to want to use both hands starting out... the position i found most comfortable when i started out.... if your right handed.. hold the "gun" in your right hand and get it comfortable with control over it.... bring your "bicep" area right into your side. and use your left hand to hold over your right hand *like a handgun grip almost*.... and with flux core... make sure you us the chipping hammer and wire brush after you put down a weld.. MOST IMPORTANTLY BEFORE YOU RESTART THE WELD!.....any other questions pm me or ill try to remember to check this thread again.......hope this made sence.

 

Looking through the pictures in the link I noticed at first you were speeding up and slowing down, towards the bottom they smoothed out. Fathers a sheet metal mechanic, so I was forced to pickup welding, and I can never thank him enough.

 

he hasnt updated, think we should call 911?

 

Nah he prolly just shorted it out and he is working on getting the shat stains out of his pants.

 

ha, agreed...or he tryed welding over head and has slag burned into his head and is in the ER lol

 

lmao. One handed over the head while holding stock POS shield. welding tongs let go and he found out that the shield doesn't protect against falling I-beam.

 

lol that would be epic. funnyer if it came from behind after he "welded" it lol

 

Don't expect those welds to come out like a roll of dimes when you are done...I have heard/seen that using the flux wire can get the job done, but does not come out pretty.

Keep with it and goodluck! I love knowing that I can weld (no expert), but for the projects I would do on my car or anything else, I'm comfortable standing behind my welds.

 

for just learning flux this is true, but after a long time you can make one look nice.