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what is the trick to using one of those cheap home arc welders? Ive never done it before and the sticks just spark a bit and then nothing...
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- Thread starter DannyinJapan
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Make sure you have the right type of welding rods. The cheapest welders put out AC current only. The rods have to be for AC. If it's a DC welder, you'll have a setting for straight or reverse polarity. Read what the rod requires, or just try the other setting. Make sure the ground connection is securely attached to the work. Scrape off any rust or paint that may insulate the ground clamp from the steel.
Steve
Steve
What Fergie said,
Good clean earth.
Make sure that your object is in touch with the earth point.
Basically you need an electrical circuit from the welding rod through the item back to the welder.
Crank up the Amps and let it buzzzzzzzzzz.
Does anyone still use "stick" welders?
Mig's are pretty cheap and so much easier
Good Luck.
Good clean earth.
Make sure that your object is in touch with the earth point.
Basically you need an electrical circuit from the welding rod through the item back to the welder.
Crank up the Amps and let it buzzzzzzzzzz.
Does anyone still use "stick" welders?
Mig's are pretty cheap and so much easier
Good Luck.
Make sure the ground is to good clean metal and turn up the Amps.Stick welding still produces a better weld than MIG so don't give up !!!
Also try striking/stroking the rod on the metal to get it started rather than just plonking it straight on so it sticks.....if that makes sense !!!!
Also try striking/stroking the rod on the metal to get it started rather than just plonking it straight on so it sticks.....if that makes sense !!!!
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I've never welded, and its an embarassment. I gotta get some classes in or something. As is, I wouldn't even know what to buy to compliment my knifemaking. All I really wanna do is be able to weld up angle iron jigs, and mild steel extentions to knife blanks for forging. But I'm so ignorant, I have no idea what would be required.
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after it sparks, does the stick, well, stick to what you are welding? If so, I'd try upping the amps. And striking the stick against the surface, kind of like striking a match, instead of going straight in at it.
Also, rods are hydrophyllic and will absorb moisture from the air. I read a long article on this somewhere but what it comes down to is that a stick with too much moisture content will develop minute cracks and be a downright sob to weld with. Most large shops I have been around will keep their rods in an old, unused oven or refridgerator wired up to keep a light going inside. This may or may not be necessary for you but it also may help with the problem.
arc welders are kinda antiquated maybe but they are still the poor man's do all, be all welder. For 300 bucks you can get an arc welder that will weld pretty much anything that can be welded. For the same money in a mig, you get a 110 volt machine that is only good for light duty. In other words, my 300 dollar arc can do everything that the 3000 dollar mig my employer uses, except tig welding which I am no good at yet anyway. and it'll last forever. and ever. One of the old buzz boxes I use regularly is nearly 60 years old, bought for $40 or so from Sears Roebuck, and still going strong.
But it is a lot harder to get a nice looking clean weld with it!
Also, rods are hydrophyllic and will absorb moisture from the air. I read a long article on this somewhere but what it comes down to is that a stick with too much moisture content will develop minute cracks and be a downright sob to weld with. Most large shops I have been around will keep their rods in an old, unused oven or refridgerator wired up to keep a light going inside. This may or may not be necessary for you but it also may help with the problem.
arc welders are kinda antiquated maybe but they are still the poor man's do all, be all welder. For 300 bucks you can get an arc welder that will weld pretty much anything that can be welded. For the same money in a mig, you get a 110 volt machine that is only good for light duty. In other words, my 300 dollar arc can do everything that the 3000 dollar mig my employer uses, except tig welding which I am no good at yet anyway. and it'll last forever. and ever. One of the old buzz boxes I use regularly is nearly 60 years old, bought for $40 or so from Sears Roebuck, and still going strong.
But it is a lot harder to get a nice looking clean weld with it!
There's good advice on this thread, also make sure that your work is clean. Grind/sand any rust, grease, dirt of any kind so that the metal is shiney where you plan to weld. Doing so makes welding easier to control, and a much stronger weld will result.
Practice, practice, practice etc etc etc,.......... and more practice
Practice, practice, practice etc etc etc,.......... and more practice
Danny what is your knowledge with welding?
Use eighth inch or smaller , 5/32 rod in 7014, 6013, or 6012 numbered rods for and A/C machine . I like 6011 for A/C. It has good penetration and freezes fast. It is like P5 or 6010. About 130 amps should be ok, but an A/c machine kick it up to 160. Do Not use 7018 or similar low hydrogen rods with an A/C machine. Email me and I will go into great detail if you want. I've been welding for 30 years.
Use eighth inch or smaller , 5/32 rod in 7014, 6013, or 6012 numbered rods for and A/C machine . I like 6011 for A/C. It has good penetration and freezes fast. It is like P5 or 6010. About 130 amps should be ok, but an A/c machine kick it up to 160. Do Not use 7018 or similar low hydrogen rods with an A/C machine. Email me and I will go into great detail if you want. I've been welding for 30 years.
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Geez, shows you what I know. I'm in the same boat as Andy. My Dad taught me to weld with an Oxy/Actylene rig 35 years ago, but that was a long time ago and I've never worked with anything else. All I have is a dedicated 15 amp circuit to work with so I'm not sure what my options are in that regard.
It's been getting to be more and more of a pain not being able to do my own welding though, so I need to get up to speed.
Steve, thanks for the links.
Norm
It's been getting to be more and more of a pain not being able to do my own welding though, so I need to get up to speed.
Steve, thanks for the links.
Norm
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I dont know much, but I read all the instructions. My Father in law came over and he determined that our crappy little house just doesnt have the capacity for a bigger welder and the one i bought was too small, so... We took it back for a refund and ill pay somebody to do the welding for me...