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nes_matt
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Joined: 04 Jun 2008
Posts: 266
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 Posted: Fri Jun 26 09 8:51 am Post subject: |
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Well, I've spent some time with this welder, and I really like it. Welding is fun!
Some things I've learned:
1) Splatter burns (I'm using flux core wire)
2) go slow
3) WATCH THE PUDDLE, NOT THE ARC
I'm making some reasonable beads 80% of the time now, and started welding up a welder cart/welding table combo. Boy, what a difference welding bigger pieces of metal. I had been using little scraps that got really hot really fast, and welding on bigger/heavier pieces is MUCH easier (sigh of relief).
On a side note: I picked up an 7-1/4" abrasive metal cutting wheel (made by Norton) that mounts in the circular saw. What a handy tool combo. Clean, fast, easy cuts. A well spent 7 or 8 $$.
Matt |
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RedneckRocket
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Joined: 09 Oct 2007
Posts: 441
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| Posted: Fri Jun 26 09 8:55 am Post subject: |
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Welcome to the addiction my friend. You will have many fun projects with that.
R.R. |
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k.a.m.
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Joined: 12 Dec 2007
Posts: 26012
Location: Southeast Texas.
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| Posted: Fri Jun 26 09 9:04 am Post subject: |
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| nes_matt wrote: |
Well, I've spent some time with this welder, and I really like it. Welding is fun!
Some things I've learned:
1) Splatter burns (I'm using flux core wire)
2) go slow
3) WATCH THE PUDDLE, NOT THE ARC
I'm making some reasonable beads 80% of the time now, and started welding up a welder cart/welding table combo. Boy, what a difference welding bigger pieces of metal. I had been using little scraps that got really hot really fast, and welding on bigger/heavier pieces is MUCH easier (sigh of relief).
On a side note: I picked up an 7-1/4" abrasive metal cutting wheel (made by Norton) that mounts in the circular saw. What a handy tool combo. Clean, fast, easy cuts. A well spent 7 or 8 $$.
Matt |
Matt, I am glad you are enjoying welding.  you might find a local welding supply and see if they have some greens, basically nomex welding shirts. They help against the spatter and sunburns on your arms. The larger pieces of metal take longer to cool, don't ask me how I know this I just do 
Save your pennies and get one of these saws. Cold cuts are better but a lot more expensive, and its not a good Idea to put an abrasive wheel on your wood chop saw, don't ask me how I know this I just do.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productList&N=4294961544&Ne=4294967294&Ntk=i_products&Ntt=chop+saws
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Always remember slow and steady wins the race.
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RedneckRocket
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Joined: 09 Oct 2007
Posts: 441
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| Posted: Fri Jun 26 09 9:11 am Post subject: |
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I like the chop saws like that. I also have the small JET horizontal and verticle band saw that Menards carries. I have had very good luck with it, and it takes up little room.
R.R. |
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nes_matt
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Joined: 04 Jun 2008
Posts: 266
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| Posted: Fri Jun 26 09 9:50 am Post subject: |
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| k.a.m. wrote: | Matt, I am glad you are enjoying welding. you might find a local welding supply and see if they have some greens, basically nomex welding shirts. They help against the spatter and sunburns on your arms. The larger pieces of metal take longer to cool, don't ask me how I know this I just do
Save your pennies and get one of these saws. Cold cuts are better but a lot more expensive, and its not a good Idea to put an abrasive wheel on your wood chop saw, don't ask me how I know this I just do.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productList&N=4294961544&Ne=4294967294&Ntk=i_products&Ntt=chop+saws |
Do you have any limbs left?! :LOL:
Thanks for the tip on the saw. You think there are any issues with the abrasive blade in the circular saw? It's made for it, so I assume it's ok... |
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k.a.m.
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Joined: 12 Dec 2007
Posts: 26012
Location: Southeast Texas.
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| Posted: Fri Jun 26 09 9:58 am Post subject: |
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nes_matt, I think you should be fine with the circular saw and abrasive blade, as long as the shield is metal. That is the problem with wood chop saws mostly. The shield is clear plastic and most have a break that is designed for short interval cuts not long hot cuts. And yes I still have all my digits, but I also have really good doctors on speed dial.
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Always remember slow and steady wins the race.
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nes_matt
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Joined: 04 Jun 2008
Posts: 266
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| Posted: Mon Jul 06 09 1:34 am Post subject: |
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Well, I've got about 15 feet of weld bead under my belt with the Northern Tool welder. It's doing pretty darn good. I'm doing ok (after the first 6 feet or so of weld!) and getting better.
I was feeling like I just wasn't getting good penetration, it was ok, but not great. When I ground back the welds I wasn't getting more than an 1/8" or so into the 1/4 plate and determined I needed better weld prep (bevelling, etc.). But one thing I couldn't figure out is why the welder never over heated. I'd weld and weld waiting for the thermal shut off to trip and it wouldn't - the thing kept chugging along as though it were an industrial duty cycle machine. I was (every 20 minutes or so) tripping the breaker in the garage, which was very annoying, so today I wired in a dedicated 20A outlet.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!! Guess what, Ohms law works! I was getting a significant voltage drop along the circuit I had been using, but when I went right to the breaker panel on a 20A line with 10 gauge wire and a good 20A outlet, suddenly this welder was a new machine! It was like I turned up the welder another click on the dial! And the thermal shut off started kicking in right on schedule, indicating I was truly running more power through the machine than before.
The lesson: To get the most out of your welder wire a dedicated outlet for it and use short, large gauge extension cords if you use an extension at all. Huge, huge difference. Almost makes up for all the little splatter burns on my arms!
Matt
| k.a.m. wrote: | | nes_matt, I think you should be fine with the circular saw and abrasive blade, as long as the shield is metal. That is the problem with wood chop saws mostly. The shield is clear plastic and most have a break that is designed for short interval cuts not long hot cuts. And yes I still have all my digits, but I also have really good doctors on speed dial. |
Well, having spent some quality time with this cut off blade, all I can say is "bleh..." Definitely leaves much to be desired. Off to CL to see if I can find a second hand Sawzall... |
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k.a.m.
BBQ Mega Star
Joined: 12 Dec 2007
Posts: 26012
Location: Southeast Texas.
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| Posted: Mon Jul 06 09 1:57 am Post subject: |
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Matt, you might look into just getting a O/A setup. That way you have some heat if you need to bend something. I would love to have a plasma cutter but believe me if I was given the choice of one or the other, hands down a torch is the only cutting tool I need for carbon steel.
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