Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Broomies Mate]

Thanks guys,

Yep, that magnet was used in the video. looked very handy indeed!

Re the thickness.... the clarke welder comes with a list of settings to use for various thicknesses. should i not simply follow these>?

There aren't any rules as such.  All Steel will be a different density, so 3mm Mild from one supplier will be harder/softer than the equivalent from another.

I always start a little lower than I think I will need and crank up the power to a point where I'm happy.

The settings on your welder may be a good starting point though.

[Webby the Bear]

Thanks mate,

Ok, so if i have setting too low what will happen? and what will happen if theyre too highj? presumably too high ill be blowing holes through?

[Broomies Mate]

Thanks mate,

Ok, so if i have setting too low what will happen? and what will happen if theyre too highj? presumably too high ill be blowing holes through?

Too low and you wont sufficiently heat the metal to get decent penetration, it'll just leave blobs of pigeon shit on the surface 

Don't worry about that though, nothing your new angle grinder won't sort out.

Too high, and yes, holes..... you have to be ramping it up and sticking far too long in one spot to blow holes in 3mm though.

Seam welds will obviously distort the metal.  When I'm welding box sections together, say at 90deg to eachother, I'll tack on edge, flip it over and tack the opposite edge, then when I'm happy that it IS 90deg, I'll fire a seam on the two untouched sides, if that makes sense?

[Broomies Mate]

Thanks mate,

Ok, so if i have setting too low what will happen? and what will happen if theyre too highj? presumably too high ill be blowing holes through?

Too low and you wont sufficiently heat the metal to get decent penetration, it'll just leave blobs of pigeon shit on the surface 

Don't worry about that though, nothing your new angle grinder won't sort out.

Too high, and yes, holes..... you have to be ramping it up and sticking far too long in one spot to blow holes in 3mm though.

Seam welds will obviously distort the metal.  When I'm welding box sections together, say at 90deg to eachother, I'll tack one edge, flip it over and tack the opposite edge, then when I'm happy that it IS 90deg, I'll fire a seam on the two untouched sides, if that makes sense?

Ballsed that up, didn't I! 

[Webby the Bear]

That makes sense made.

seem weld being one continuous bead? you therefore tack it to stop it moving?

so if im seeing too much pigeon shite i crank it up a tad?

[Broomies Mate]

Yup, that's the jist of it.

I'm sure there is a lot of Science involved that could be explained by someone far more intelligent than me, but I consider welding to be more of an art.  You just get the knack, and there is no better pleasure than knocking off the slag and seeing a beautiful weld.

I'm no expert mind you.  I'm pretty tidy at welding large plate and large box sections, RSJ's and the like..... I'm piss poor at lightweight stuff, and that's where the real skill comes in!

[Marks DTM Calib]

They will be 'optimistic'   

[tidla]

3mm angle iron will make a lighter and more suitable metal for something to put wheels on.

[Nick W]

3mm angle iron will make a lighter and more suitable metal for something to put wheels on.

Beat me to it!
3mm thick 50x50 will make a decent chassis, and is way over the top for a welding cart. It's expensive, heavy and hard work to cut.
The last one I made was from 1.5 thick 25mm wide angle, which is much more suitable. Panel the cart with ply, decking or skirtingboard offcuts and you're done.
it is worth buying decent casters.

[Figureman52]

Last time I ordered some metal I used these people.

http://www.fhbrundle.co.uk

[Webby the Bear]

Thanks boys.

So welding iron?  I thought steel was the only option?

[aaronjb]

"Angle iron" would refer to steel

[Marks DTM Calib]

Steel angle is the 'modern' (post 19th century) term 

[aaronjb]

It is still 1875 in parts of the Midlands, you know

[Webby the Bear]

 

Still a lot to learn 

So, I know what MIG is, I have a rough idea on what TIG is...what on Earth is arc welding and stick welding? Or are these also just different names for the same thing?