The "Teach TheBoy to Weld" thread

[Tony H]

get some thicker metal and play with that,then work your way down to the thinner stuff 

OKey Dokey. I guess you'd know better than most, where do I get thicker metal from?[/quote]
Go down to your local waste reception centre and have a rummage through the metal recyling skip. If you are anything like me when I take rubbish there I usually end up comeing home with more than I took   p.s I've just had a word with a mate who works offshore and he said and told him about your welding attempts He said if you can successfully weld aluminium to steel he can get you a job with a six figure salary!

[Andy B]

Is it steel (looks a bit like aluminium?)

.......
Been out with a magnet, and it ain't steel     


.........

Remember that stainless is not magnetic either.  but I'd have thought you'd have been able to tell steel from ally when you picked it up.

[TheBoy]

Is it steel (looks a bit like aluminium?)

.......
Been out with a magnet, and it ain't steel     


.........

Remember that stainless is not magnetic either.  but I'd have thought you'd have been able to tell steel from ally when you picked it up.

I found a TD egr pipe, but think thats stainless. Yes, should have known it wasn't steel 

[Andy B]

Is it steel (looks a bit like aluminium?)

.......
Been out with a magnet, and it ain't steel     


.........

Remember that stainless is not magnetic either.  but I'd have thought you'd have been able to tell steel from ally when you picked it up.

I found a TD egr pipe, but think thats stainless. Yes, should have known it wasn't steel 

You'll need an AC TIG set if you want to weld ally!       

[TheBoy]

Is it steel (looks a bit like aluminium?)

.......
Been out with a magnet, and it ain't steel     


.........

Remember that stainless is not magnetic either.  but I'd have thought you'd have been able to tell steel from ally when you picked it up.

I found a TD egr pipe, but think thats stainless. Yes, should have known it wasn't steel 

You'll need an AC TIG set if you want to weld ally!       

I think the MIG claims to be able to do it with argon, and ally welding wire

[Andy B]

Is it steel (looks a bit like aluminium?)

.......
Been out with a magnet, and it ain't steel     


.........

Remember that stainless is not magnetic either.  but I'd have thought you'd have been able to tell steel from ally when you picked it up.

I found a TD egr pipe, but think thats stainless. Yes, should have known it wasn't steel 

You'll need an AC TIG set if you want to weld ally!       

I think the MIG claims to be able to do it with argon, and ally welding wire

Pass!? I know you need a TIG set on A/C to weld ally.  :-/

[Marks DTM Calib]

You can indeed weld aly with a MIg set, done it a few times

[Andy B]

You can indeed weld aly with a MIg set, done it a few times

If I need to weld ally, work has a couple of TIG sets with A/C ..... 

[feeutfo]

well, seeing as J cant tell the difference between Ally and Steel(snigger), i dont feel quite so sad asking;
whats the differance between the 3 main types,mig tig and arc (is it?) and more importantly what is it that makes them more suitable for one application or material or whatever?

I was under the impression ally needed one sort and steal another which leaves me wondering what the third ones for? ...... Both? (Blush)

[MikeDundee]

Had teaching on welding some years ago now, as mentioned in earlier threads, start of with the thicker metals first, which is where I started then eventually moving onto welding aluminium, which took a bit of time to master. If I recall correctly there are also settings on the welders for, think it was for temperature??,........foobarred, I can remember the welding techniques but break all else  

[waspy]

Is it steel (looks a bit like aluminium?)

.......
Been out with a magnet, and it ain't steel     


.........

Remember that stainless is not magnetic either.  but I'd have thought you'd have been able to tell steel from ally when you picked it up.

Some lower grades of Stainless are magnetic

I'm finding this thread very amusing

As said TB, B&Q don't sell mild steel for welding & the likes. Like it's been said, go to the local scrap yard or better still a Steel Fabrication Firm & they'll give you some small pieces. For your size of welder i would recommend 3mm+ for your welder & no thicker than 6mm. The thicker the metal the more power you can lay down (which is easier) What you need to aim for is a nice crackle whilst welding, also grind back any contaminations (rust, paint etc. Oil & grease removed with thinners or similar) it's practice & patients that you need. If you wana stick two pieces together do a 90 deg  joint, it looks like an upside down T, this called a Fillet weld

V-Butts are alot harder they look like this _ _

If i was closer, i'd pop round (after all i've plenty of time on my hands )

[Andy B]

.......
1] make sure its not galvanised  .......

Being serious ....... you can weld galv plate, but it gives of cyanide(?) gas  as you weld it ...... not conducive to good health!   

[Debs.]

.......
1] make sure its not galvanised  .......

Being serious ....... you can weld galv plate, but it gives of cyanide(?) gas  as you weld it ...... not conducive to good health!   

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_fume_fever

[TheBoy]

Right, have 2 plates of metal, one fairly thick, other much thinner.  Both have a good layer of surface rust on, so assume they are steel

No time tonight, but will have a clean up and another go hopefully tomorrow night.

[Ghost]

well, seeing as J cant tell the difference between Ally and Steel(snigger), i dont feel quite so sad asking;
whats the differance between the 3 main types,mig tig and arc (is it?) and more importantly what is it that makes them more suitable for one application or material or whatever?

I was under the impression ally needed one sort and steal another which leaves me wondering what the third ones for? ...... Both? (Blush)

Arc  ( stick) is better for thicker metal ie exhausts
mig is better for thin metal ie sills and so
I belive but no doubt everyone will correct me if Im wrong.