... WELDING ....

[Paul#25]

How is your welding practice going Chas?
Here is one of the welds I've done this morning.

[Ricof4e]

That weld looks good Paul.

[BushWacker]

... yes ... that looks like steady
seam weld ... to me !

Ive still got to set up and practice ...
been reading a bit and waiting for
weather to turn.
Got good length gloves but will look
around for apron / protective clothing
etc

[Paul#25]

Chas go to Jonsson Workwear and buy a welding overall. You won't be sorry. See the photo below.
Ricoffy, I'm actually cheating with the MIG welder. Those are on 5mm thick tube and angle so the Amp's are high for good penetration.

[Paul#25]

The photo didn't load the first time.

[BushWacker]

Thanks Paul,
... have actually been looking for
something like that.

[HenriSteyn]

I know it was mentioned to start practicing with 2mm plate and 2.5 mm rods but you going to sukkel. You will burn holes!

Rather use 3mm or thicker plate to get the feel for consistency in the arc. Once you have mastered that adjust the amps down and try 2mm plate.

2mm plate and 2.5mm to me is borderline and you should rather be using 2mm rods for this.

[HenriSteyn]

I know it was mentioned to start practicing with 2mm plate and 2.5 mm rods but you going to sukkel. You will burn holes!

Rather use 3mm or thicker plate to get the feel for consistency in the arc. Once you have mastered that adjust the amps down and try 2mm plate.

2mm plate and 2.5mm to me is borderline and you should rather be using 2mm rods for this.

[Paul#25]

We are waiting for the latest update on your welding progress Chas. Have you set your beard alight or got arc eyes and can't post?

[Ricof4e]

I know it was mentioned to start practicing with 2mm plate and 2.5 mm rods but you going to sukkel. You will burn holes!

Rather use 3mm or thicker plate to get the feel for consistency in the arc. Once you have mastered that adjust the amps down and try 2mm plate.

2mm plate and 2.5mm to me is borderline and you should rather be using 2mm rods for this.

Yup, I agree. Unless you can get the amperage perfect, I would always propose 2mm rods for 2-2,5mm thick steel.

[BushWacker]

... Houstens on countdown ...

[BushWacker]

... Major Tom to Ground Control ,
lift your heads and put your speccies on ...
.
... my first chicken run ,
sort of Ferrous Diarrhea ...
.

... then tried to do a run on the flat
of the angle iron but cant see well enough
to start ... scratching away with intermittant sparks ...

... but 'Thats All Folks !' ...

[LesseW]

Well done old timer

[HenriSteyn]

Chaz you need to grind that rust away on the angle iron.
Welding is great but not that magic

[Paul#25]

Chas as Henri said, clean the rust and scale off the metal before you try to weld. It will make a huge difference in your weld and makes it easier to strike the arc.
When you say you can't see to strike an arc, is that because the helmet is too dark or are your glasses a problem. Multi-focal glasses are often a problem because the part of the lens you need to be looking through for a close distance is at the bottom of the lens. When you look through that part, you are looking into the welding helmet. You must be able to see the molten puddle of the weld as you move the rod along.
Try steadying the end of the welding rod with your "free" hand while wearing your new thick welding gloves.