I got a welder......FINALLY

[88_Eddie]

i screwed around with it tonight, it is AWESOME......just as smooth as the lincoln we had in the shop back in college. i said screw practice and tried to get back into it where i left off about 4 years back. it was rough at first, but i had a few welds that looked ok.

it has a chart on the door that tells you what wire speed and voltage to run for a certain metal thickness, when you need to add gas, when multiple passes are required, blah, blah, blah

first one

second side

last ones looked ok....i'll get to mess with it more this week

i gotta get a new helmet though, the one i bought sucks as. i think i'm gonna try one of those auto darkening ones....i need a jacket too, i burnt a couple holes in my shirt

 

[crawlin91]

congrats,
Flux core is messy, smokey and throws alot more slag than welding with gas but has its place and time. Welding with gas makes it easier to see what is going on with the welding puddle. For most steel applications a 75/25 argon co2 mix will be best (just remember to switch the polarity of the welder around for gas). You can get little "hobby" sized bottle or step it up and not have to go get refills as often. Nothing worse than running out of wire or gas in the middle of a project. Keep your arms and neck covered when welding as well, those rays will burn and blister skin fast and are cancer causing. blah, blah blah

also, clean and prep metal properly it will make your welds turn out better

 

[compaqeo]

Just remember a clean welding surface is a good welding surface.(paint,rust,oil = bad)
we have the same welder and i use C-25 gas in it.
These are some good episodes of Xtreme 4x4 for welding tips/fab
Aluminum welding 101: http://www.spike.com/full-episodes/2c8myj/powerblock-xtreme-4x4-aluminum-welding-season-3-ep-514
Mig welding 101: http://www.spike.com/full-episodes/...ques-americas-top-trails-pt-2-season-3-ep-504
Fabrication: http://www.spike.com/full-episodes/...rication-beginner-to-advanced-season-3-ep-320