help with my welding

[Boggin]

i was trying to patch a hole in the floor of my '79 and i cant seem to weld correctly, lol. it was my first time using a welder, its my brothers so i have access to it 24/7.. and id kinda like to know how to weld better

so what am i doing wrong? i touch the metal as gently as i can and it just sticks and i have to yank it off, and im using a mastercraft arc welder
thanks

edit; and no thats not the patch im using, just a test ride lol

 

[Toms01PSD]

I don't know how to weld, and i'm not familiar with the different types of welders, but where's your ground clamp? From what i've learned and paid attention to others doing, the closer your ground is to the spot you're welding the better penetration you get.

 

[Boggin]

well its on the arm of the vise

 

[4byRANGER]

i heard the size of the stick is everything to what your welding on, and also angle the stick like your dragging it across the metal. so if your welding to the right, tip the stick to the right.

what size electrode are you using, at what amperage?

i hate arc welders, but if you get more framiliar with it it can weld up almost anything!
gotta have a steady hand!

 

[Toms01PSD]

Clamp it on the end of the plate you're welding and see if that makes a difference?

 

[iceracer60]

to strike the arc, touch the metal in a striking motion kinda like your lighting a match, but pull the tip of the stick up right away to about 1/16" gap between the stick and the work. dont pull it up to far or youll lose your arc.

 

[warrior24]

What rod type are you using 6011 6013 7018?

 

[Shran]

Depends a lot on the type of stick, but usually you just tap the stick to the metal and pull it away just a tiny bit.

If that is painted, it is going to be extra hard...grind the paint off and weld on clean metal

 

[warrior24]

Start off with 6011 and like 3/32 rod for practice and like 50-90amps. BTW 7018 is much harder to get started with it sticks like no other until you learn how to use it then it rarely sticks. And don't watch the arc your weld will look like crap watch the weld pool, train your eye to not look at the arc hard to get used to but makes it better in the long run. Also are you welding left to right ? Are you welding ac or dc?

 

[Boggin]

the box says 3/32" and 1782[but i think thats just the part number]

 

[Boggin]

Depends a lot on the type of stick, but usually you just tap the stick to the metal and pull it away just a tiny bit.

If that is painted, it is going to be extra hard...grind the paint off and weld on clean metal

its clean metal, but now the arc is barely even catching at all

 

[warrior24]

One thing that always gave me grief was having a bad ground the arc likes to travel around making for a crappppppppy looking weld. Also make sure you wire brush your stinger out. Cause if you are using 7018 and it gets wet or even just being exposed to the air it makes it start to go bad. You need to find out if you are using ac or dc that makes a whole lot of difference.

Why must you tease me with welding I can already smell the welding fumes but actual welding wont start for like 5 more weeks, I love my welding class

 

[JD22]

Make sure the metal's clean. Just tap the metal ever so lightly and pull off as little as you can and you should strike an arc. I find it easier to hold it at a 45 degree angle and just go in little circles as you move. Arc welding is definitely hard to get used to, I hated it in shop class. Thats why I avoid it and use the MIG as much as possible lol.

Just keep practicing at it.

 

[mwood1985]

arc welding

hell i like arc better than the rest cause thats what i learned on. hold it at a .45 degree angle and get a small puddle of molten metal then move the tip in tiny circles down the length of the weld keeeping the puddle about the same size. try it with a short stick 6-8 inches til you get comfortable it'll be easier to control. and if need be turn your "burn" up a click to a higher amperage it'll arc easier and burn through thin metal if you hold it in place too long but just practicing that aint a problem til you get used to the welding

 

[BlackBII]

Like previously sggested, to strike the arc, it's like striking a match, once the arc forms, you hold the rod 1/16 of an inch above the metal, at a slight angle, and move it as if your drawing a straight line with a pencil, you'll see the puddle form, and then you 'drag' the puddle, keeping it just slightly wider than the rod. You can go in circles and half moon shapes n such, but you need to learn to lay a straight bead first.

Judging by the pics, it looks like your moving way too fast.

Wish you lived closer, I'd teach you fool.