|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 4/11/2008
Posts: 3,944
|
OP and Conway's posts on acquiring equipment on the pretense that it's needed for one job got me to thinking. These men are BRILLIANT! I have the need to fabricate a small tailwheel bracket and it requires welding two 3/4" long pieces of bushing stock to the .090" 4130 strap steel.  I could use my friends abilities as a welder and use his equipment, but what would be the utility in that, other than saving, as Steve says, pieces of paper with presidents pictures on them. I was wondering what power an every day MIG welder would be good for a hobbiest and experimental airplane owner to have. I was thinking of this one because it welds up to 5/16" steel using either gas-less flux-cored welding or gas-shielded MIG welding. With the expense of acquiring a gas cylinder, I'll probably just use it as a gas-less welder: http://www.homedepot.com...051&catalogId=10053
If anyone has any other suggestions, please chime in. Best regards, Brad
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 4/11/2008
Posts: 7,290
Location: In your dreams
|
I think it was discussed on iPilot before, isn't MIG welding for aluminum too? Can a novice get some small aluminum welds done? Will the near by aluminum get hot enough to melt plastic within 1/4 inch of the piece being welded? If all the above is ok, my wife may just be mad at Brad...... 
I think, therefore I am... part of a minority.
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 4/11/2008
Posts: 12,750
Location: Silicon Valley
|
Brad, Here are the two links to my buddy’s armature sight that has a lot of professionals, you may recall I posted pictures of his project. Kurt is a really great welder, and I bet he and his buddies would be happy to give you an opinion. That Lincoln unit looks really nice to me, but I'm not experience enough to give a reliable opinion. http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=39245
http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=39212
I'll tell you this Brad, Pam seldom even questions me buying tools anymore. She has seen the use and value over the years. My first compressor really wound her up... until every kid that has been over in the last 10 years uses it to blow up pool toys, and 100 other uses. She gets it now, she didn't say much about the other two compressors I have, and I really didn't need both, although they are useful for different jobs. :-) My welds were way better with the air attached. Kurt's unit is way more expensive and I assume better, but I liked the air. Like I said, I have seldom regretted any tool purchase. I bought my welder to weld the seat in my 4X4 pickup. The first tried failed on me a few weeks after completing it. I learned from my mistake, I did not clean the material well the first time, so I did the next time. That is the truck you may have seen that has now been passed on to my niece from Redding. It's going on 250,000K, and the weld is still solid as a rock. I've found tons of other things around the house too that the welder worked well on. I put PowerStrut applications in my pump farm for the pool and spa. I found the welder very helpful with some of those applications. When you have the tool, you figure out great applications for its use. Good luck with it Brad, but I like that Lincoln welder, but I’d get the gas too. Conway
"Lord, please let me be the man my dog thinks I am." (Author unknown)
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 5/1/2008
Posts: 1,334
|
I can't comment on differences with the flux core and gas shielded welders since all I have is gas. (go ahead Conway!)
My thought was a question...how much experience do you have welding? Correct amps and wire speed makes alot of difference.
I would think a critical part such as what you are fabricating needs to be done right the first time. Maybe get the welder but have a pro weld this piece for you..
Is the strap really less that a tenth of a inch thick?? I would think .25 or thicker would be a minimum.
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 6/21/2008
Posts: 544
|
Brad,
You should get the gas add-on because the flux core wire leaves a messy weld and is difficult to control.
The gas eliminates the air from the weld and creates a better burn environment.
(This is my interpretation of it. There might be a better scientific explanation.)
I have the one you linked to and it welds okay but it does take a bit of practice. Especially from getting to stop bouncing as the wire rolls out. It leaves a lot of spatter due to the lack of gas. Perhaps some of it was the user rather than the tool but all the welders I see in factories have gas for a reason.
I believe there is a gas attachment that can be purchased separately. It attached to that unit with a small bottle.
I will see if I can find a part number. I don't think it was very expensive. I just have not had the reason to buy it yet. I made my one repair and haven't used it much since. (Except for welding every piece of metal I had laying around in the garage just for kicks.)
-JC
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 4/11/2008
Posts: 236
|
A welder is one of those tools you never knew how much you needed one until you actualy have one. I have both an oxy-acetylene setup and a mig welder. For most aircraft applications I tend to use the torches. I can lay a much better bead and ensure deep enough penetration much easier with the oxy-acetyline setup than I can with my mig welder. For all sheetmetal and auto work I tend to use the mig. It is much faster and will allow you to get into places (like upside down welding) that the torch can't. If you can afford it, get a mig welder that is at least gas capable. Flux core is ok for working outdoors where it is windy or on metal that isn't perfectly clean but you will almost always get better, cleaner welds with shielding gas. I believe that the lincoln at HD either comes with the gas regulator or can have one added on. Also, you can't weld aluminum without shielding gas as far as I know. It will also require special wire so don't buy a mig welder and just try welding up a piece of aluminum with what it came with. The results won't be pretty. If you are looking for a decent setup for not a big investment take a look at this machine: http://www.amazon.com/Ho...d=1277729217&sr=8-2
It is the same machine as the miller 130, just rebranded as a Hobart. Hobart and Miller are now one company. Whatever you do, stay with the big name brand companies (lincoln, hobart, miller, esab). The stuff they sell at harbor freight and walmart are junk. I am all for saving a buck but I have tried a few of those machines and they all have issues with the feeder mechanism for the wire and the arc isn't nearly as strong. The big companies have alot of r&d invested in the electronics that make up their machines. A mig welder isn't like a AC stick welder. There are differences between machines even if they say they have the same specs. Keith
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 4/11/2008
Posts: 3,944
|
Great inputs guys. Steve, you make a good point and I'll have my mechanic do they weld while I observe. Yes, .090 is the standard for this bracket. It really doesn't have a lot of stress on it. VK, these parts are Chromolly steel, not Au. Keith, great find. That looks like a great set up and even comes with a cart and free shipping. JC, I will get one that has the gas option. thanks all for the inputs, Best regards, Brad PS: Interesting links Conway...I really like what he's built.
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 4/11/2008
Posts: 7,290
Location: In your dreams
|
Brad:
I was asking, because I have some minor aluminum welds I want to make.
I think, therefore I am... part of a minority.
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 6/21/2008
Posts: 544
|
Vigilantknight wrote:I think it was discussed on iPilot before, isn't MIG welding for aluminum too? Can a novice get some small aluminum welds done? Will the near by aluminum get hot enough to melt plastic within 1/4 inch of the piece being welded? If all the above is ok, my wife may just be mad at Brad...... VK, Here are some answers for you.I would think the plastic would certainly feel the heat being that close...
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 4/11/2008
Posts: 7,290
Location: In your dreams
|
JC:
Thanks, that was very helpful.
Dodge went cheap on their Ram radiators.
I just need to reinforce the aluminum tabs holding the plastic side tanks on.
I just had to fix the 2nd radiator in 6 months.... I want to make a permanent fix....
I think, therefore I am... part of a minority.
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 6/21/2008
Posts: 544
|
Vigilantknight wrote:JC:
Thanks, that was very helpful.
Dodge went cheap on their Ram radiators.
I just need to reinforce the aluminum tabs holding the plastic side tanks on.
I just had to fix the 2nd radiator in 6 months.... I want to make a permanent fix.... Well there ya go. You got your reason right there to explain to Mrs VK as to why this would be a smart purchase for you. For me it was a busted bracket for my wheel barrow. So I first bought the $400 welder to fix the $30 wheel barrow. Then a few months later so I would not break it again, I bought an old used Ford tractor with a backhoe and front end loader. Now if I'm digging holes for tulips I use the backhoe... Look at all the time and money I am saving, Dear. :) It sure is fun having manly-man tools to play with.
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 4/11/2008
Posts: 7,290
Location: In your dreams
|
But then I will have to build a go-kart, mini-bike, etc....
I think, therefore I am... part of a minority.
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 6/21/2008
Posts: 544
|
Vigilantknight wrote:But then I will have to build a go-kart, mini-bike, etc.... Honey, Think of all the money we will save by building those things instead of buying them... Makes perfect sense to get a welder now. :) And I am able to teach the kids how to build and create stuff out of old mowers and other parts... She might even buy it for you.
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 4/11/2008
Posts: 7,290
Location: In your dreams
|
JC:
Unfortunately, my wife is smarter than I am.
I think, therefore I am... part of a minority.
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 4/11/2008
Posts: 3,512
|
Brad
The unit you linked to comes with the regulator. There's really no sense in purchasing that equipment and then not hook up the gas.
MIG welding is pretty easy but it is going to take some practice. If you have time take a class at the local community college. That's what I did, in fact I did it for three semesters, they have night classes three times a week. It's dirt cheap, tuition was $50 and you get to use all their equipment and steel to practice with. I actually bought my own 4130 tubing and a tubing notcher then practiced TIG welding clusters. TIG makes beautiful welds but it's tedious and I know my tongue was probably sticking out as it's way harder than walking and chewing gum at the same time.
For home use I just have an oxy/acetylene torch. You can do pretty much everything with that including cutting, brazing, soldering or annealing but it takes longer to get good at it.
The Lincoln welders are decent units, or at least they were a few years back. Hard to say for certain these days without having actually owned one of that specific model.
things are not as they seem.....nor are they otherwise
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 5/1/2008
Posts: 1,334
|
JC, the 'bouncing' you are getting is likely because you are pushing the wire too fast for the amps.. slow the wire down a bit or crank up the heat.
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 4/11/2008
Posts: 4,544
|
I have never welded with wire feed. Growing up on the ranch all we had were stick welders and for aircraft work all I use is oxy-acetylene. A friend of mine has a really nice unit and he can weld anything to anything (almost). He claims he can teach me to lay a perfect bead in five minutes - but I'm too old to change habits now.
From what little I know, this seems like a nice rig.
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 5/1/2008
Posts: 1,334
|
OP, you gotta get a mig welder. This afternoon I broke a pipe that guides round bales into a pickup thingy for my 'hay hiker'..round bale hauler.
I got the lincoln stick welder out and began to weld around the pipe but was having some problems closing the gap between the pieces. I got the 250 Millermatic out of the woman haters club..where I keep my toys and welded the pipe in a couple minutes. I also tested the pipe when I turned too short AGAIN and hit it with the rear dual wheel AGAIN, no break, stronger than new.
Really OP , no slag to chip out and you can fill a gap, weld vertical or upside down easily. I think for flat welding thick steel the stick welder may be a bit stronger but you can turn up the MIG also and penetrate.
I am thinking you need a Mig to weld than channel iron on the back of your new trailer.:d/ ...tell the Mrs's I said so.
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 4/11/2008
Posts: 12,750
Location: Silicon Valley
|
Steve_1 wrote:My thought was a question...how much experience do you have welding? Correct amps and wire speed makes alot of difference. I would think a critical part such as what you are fabricating needs to be done right the first time. Maybe get the welder but have a pro weld this piece for you..
Is the strap really less that a tenth of a inch thick?? I would think .25 or thicker would be a minimum. Brad not only that, Steve offered the perfect excuse to buy your new welder. Your IA/A&P can do the job, but the job needs a welding machine for sure. Here's how it goes: "Honey, I have to get the machine, the weld is a must or “OUR” new airplane can’t fly ((heavy on the “OUR” during repairs. I'm sure “WE” will have other uses for it. Oh, thank you for understanding baby (at this point, it doesn't require that she has anything more than a confused/pissed look on her face), I know we will get a lot of use out of “OUR” new welder"))! There no lie told, clean, no muss, no fuss, but Brad has a BA Lincoln Welder! :-) "That's how you do it son"! Conway
"Lord, please let me be the man my dog thinks I am." (Author unknown)
|
|
|
|
Guest |