Choke welding questions!

[underaged!]

Possible future welder here:

1. What is the proper shade for MIG? (guessing #9)

2. I wear a respirator, I still smell fumes, what up wit dat homies?

3. For general welding, what is the most versital locking jaw pliers?

4. What do you think about automatic dimming helmets?

5. You guys make the piviots tight on your helmet? For those of you with it loose, you put your helmet on right before you're gonna lay down a bead, take it off right after?

6. I read that the gold filters are better than the green, is that true?

 

[mete]

Lens shade depends on amperage . For MIG and TIG for 5-75 amp #5 to #9, 75-200 amp #10, 200-400 #12....Still smell fumes ? What kind of respirator ?are you welding in a well ventilated area ? Have you taken a welding course ? if not , do it.They are usually available locally.

 

[Stumpy]

underage,start with a # 11 and see what you can see.I would say a #9 is a little too light.Your eyes will thank you in time.I'll second what kind of respirator are you using and what type of cartridges.Fit could also be the problem.As far as auto dimming helmets go I use an auto lense that works on solar power that fits a standard helmet.It is cheaper and works just fine for me.I find it is best suited for tacking when I need my hands steady or in a tight spot.Keep the pivots as loose as you can on your helmet without it flopping around like a limp dick,it will be easier on your neck.I also wanted to add that you need to know what type of steels you are welding and how toxic the fumes from the rods and the materials are.Some materials are very nasty for your health.

 

[underaged!]

Thanks for the info,

I have not taken a welding course, I have not been successful in finding one that I can take, because of school or because I'm too young. If I never had to go summer school, I could have signed up at a local gas shop.

The respirator is a 3M P100 Particulate, Medium.

Fit wise, it does seem a little small. It's the cup piece that's is small, it pushes on the bridge of my nose a bit, though it does seem to have a good seal. A guy from the community college I plan on going to for welding, later, said go with charcoal cartriges(actually he said don't need respirator, but he sounded like a dying horse ), I'm using particulate filters (as recommended by the gas shop) so, it's the wrong one?

My garage is pretty well ventilated, and there is almost always a decent breeze comming though.

I've been keeping my helmet piviots tight, and using my hand to knock it down, just before starting a bead. I have a hard time working when the helmet comes down on me all the time. And the detent thing on it is almost non-existant.

I've been using #10 (the stock filter for the helmet) I can't really see much, before I start the arc. I've tried #8, but that seems a bit too light.

Thanks again for all the help.

 

[Matt Shade]

I wouldn't go any lower than #9. I have an electronic lense in mine and run at about 11, with the delay as short as possible and the sensitivity all the way up. Haven't done any MIG welding with it, but the ratings are pretty much the same for stick or MIG.
If your using a fixed lense instead of auto darkening then your going about it all wrong with the tight helmet. You need to loosen it up just enough that you can tip your head a little bit and have it fall in place. Line your hands up to start the bead, flip the shield down without moving your hands, and then strike an arc. Once its started you can see again, and adjust as necessary. It will get easier with practice. Trying to use a lighter lense to see where your starting will probably ruin your eyesight.
If you plan on doing much welding, I really recommend spending the money on an electronic shield. It will make life a lot easier, and save your eyes in the long run.
Also, you can't see clear as day even when your welding. If your welding something that has a tight joint that isn't readily visible, get chalk or soapstone and mark out where you want to run your bead.

You also need to make sure there isn't light reflecting off anything and coming in the back of your shield. It can be a lot stronger than you think, and you'll have arc burn by the end of the day

 

[Gollnick]

Also, you can't see clear as day even when your welding.

Exactly.

With electric welding, what you see through your shade is just a shadow or an outline. This is why welders don't generally do very long in a single bead. They go a few inches, stop, check, start again. What you have to do is visualize how the weld is going to go BEFORE you start.

And that mask you've got is a particle mask for dust. You need a fume mask.


(BTW, I haven't arc welded since high-school, so what do I know?)

 

[Stumpy]

Underage,the respirator and the filters you are using will work just fine.The filters have a layer of charcoal in them and are made for a welding application.For more info on them check out 3M's web site.They are the filter of choice in many welding shops here.A #10 shade will work but if you are burning larger electrodes a #11 and up would be better.When you are welding watch the molten puddle behind the rod and how it is pooling and not the arc.You should also be able to weld more than a couple inches.Yopu should be able to burn the whole rod without stopping.We weld with stick mig ,tig ect for many feet at a time without stopping.Find some books or do some reading on line about welding to get some pointers but the best teacher is to do a lot of welding.Also make sure you keep your neck covered or you will get a hell of a burn.

 

[underaged!]

I have a book, and have read a bit online. The thing is, just about everything I read is for people that don't know much(miller's website), or for pros(AWS website/forum) and I can't understand jack.

I've been welding for a while now. I think I'm gonna do some tomorrow, if I'm not too tired. I've been stretching a bike frame so I've been doing a bit more than usual.

I always wear my Tillman Jacket so my neck is safe. Wear a beanie too, I got some platter on top my head, twice. I always wear a beanie too now.

So thats: pants, longsleeve shirt (If I've been grinding), Gloves, the Jacket, beanie, respirator, helmet. I never got boots yet though. Gotta get my dad to pay.

And I'm playing with my helmet right now, to get the piviot good.


Thanks for all the help guys.