Using a borrowed Lincoln Weld Pak 100 to weld a frame brace in.

When youre welding how close are you holding the tip to the metal and are you holding it straight on or at a slight angle?

I got a tiny amount done which is Ok (after finding out the hard way where the "TOO HIGH heat setting was), and then the wire broke off in the sheath-It was about toast anyway. Want to make sure these welds hold as a FP and filter will be mounted to them. Its been many years, any tpis are appreciated.

BTW, the auto darkening helmet is awesome, you can actually see what you are doing.

way too long since I welded... like nearly 30 years... did it in high school metal shop.

Sorry Ron wish I could help.

My oldest son welds but I know that doesn't help you.

Good Luck in your project.

Gary

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30 years ago!! Man how old are you???


'course it's been about that for me too. 'class of '76

Gary

Not certified but a lot of years doing it. First, the wire speed and heat range go hand-in-hand. Speed too slow and wire will pop-pop-pop-pop-pop when you weld. Speed too fast and the wire will pile up and try to "push" back on the gun. Hold your tip approx. 1/16 from metal and try that, also angle at about 20* with weld puddle behind direction of travel. I'm sure ther are different opinions on the method. This is one broad one. Are you welding flat or vertical? Good luck

Joel

My wife recently got me a millermatic 140 so I have been readin up on it. A recent article says...

"hold it 45 degrees from the joint and angled forward 10-15 degrees"

The article was in Feb '08 HotRod and sponsored by Miller

Its a flat meets vertical weld for the most part.

I started about 1/2" away (sounds like thats too far bt any closer and the tip wants to get stuck-speed to high?)) and slowly moved the gun backwards..THere is a chart under the door of the welder to give approximate settings for dummies like me.

Im guessing I can get a new roll of flux wire from Home Depot? How much is this stuff?

its .35 gauge, how do I tell when the tip is bad? I want to return it in as good a shape if not better when Im done.

I hate it when I know what I want to do but just dont really know what Im doing, lol. Ill figure it out.

Keep any tips coming.

Hold the gun away from any metal and pull the trigger. What you're looking for is a good steady stream of wire coming out of tip. If not the tip can be removed and cleaned. I assume this is a 110 buzz box with the small roll of wire? Cost should be around $30.00 there, not sure as I get mine from a welding supply house. Just don't expect a smooth area around the weld with the flux wire. There will be a little splatter from this type of wire.

Joel

I ain't no pro, but practise, practise, practise. Flat work, open clear space, table top, c -clamps holding the work,, fire extingushier, good helmet new glass, plenty of lighting, sleeves and /or apron. You can read about wire size, distance and settings, but you learn from practise. Oh and dont forget about ventilation!

Maybe that auto darkeneing helmet wasnt so great. Its about 4-5 hours later and Im seeing white squares wherever I look, seriously. Uh oh.

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Hmmm Raw potato slices on the eyes, It'll relieve the pain if it comes.
I use the darkest lens????### on a regular helmet and lots of additional lighting

I have the hand held sheidl/lens thing that came with it but cant see anything. The auto dark one was new he bought from harbor Freight.
Ill attack this thing in the next few days and finish it up.

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Take that thing back and get a regular helmet, not as fancy as the auto dark, but they have been in use for a long time. If it's too dark, light up the work area with a halogen or two. Careful with them eyes, you only get one pair per lifetime.

Not sure what the problem is
with the auto-dark helmet,
I have one and love it. it was
a cheaper one too. The big thing
about mig welding is to be
absolutely sure your pieces you
are welding are super clean.
Rust, paint, grease etc. will give
you grief.

There are a number of welding videos on youtube. Some are trying to sell you a DVD others are just demos of techniques. I did see one that has the camera behind a mask so they could show the formation of the arc and "puddle". YMMV

Never used the "flux core" but from my experience the gas shield is much easier to use.

I bought a WeldPak 100 10 years ago mainly because it was 110v and small enough to fit in the race trailer. It's a nice little welder for brackets and shop equipment. I wouldn't use it on a frame, but it sounds like you're just welding a bracket on so you should be ok.

Yea, HD has the wire. I think roll costs about $12, I haven't bought the flux lately, converted it to MIG. HD also has the tips.
Is the tip all garbaged up? You can usually get away with just scraping the crap off and if the hole isn't plugged up it'll work. If the wire's broken off inside, unscrew the tip, hit the trigger to push some more wire out. Then slide the cleaned tip over the wire and screw it bach into the gun.

Your wire stick out should be about 3/8ths. before you start. 3/8ths above the work is also a good distance to start. You should angle the gun at about 30 degrees. It's harder to see the puddle but I get a better weld when the gun is angled back over the puddle.

What is the thickness of the bracket? Let me know and I'll sugggest the starting settings. Seems to me that if the wire's sticking, the heat's a little low.

Ok, think I got it. New rool of wire, tips. Much better but doesnt look like a roll of nickels, thats for sure.

I have the tool that knocks off the slag, nothings coming off. WTH?

Don't forget to disconnect the battery. If I had an LT Vette I would even unplug the ECM. Way too much grief to find a new one.

There is no slag with a wire weld. That is only with a "stick electrode".

Joel

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No battery as of now. Working on this, trying to brace up the rear shock tower setup and hang a FP from the brace.

Sorry to be posting a non vette topic here but I can never get a response from the "appropriate" forum for these cars. Guess you gotta be a popular suckass to get a response. How typical.

Ok, got the brace welded in, this 4 link os tight as a drum now, no chassis flex. Exhaust is next.

That's good news! No problem,right? Just curious how many feet of wire did you use?

Joel

Im not sure..I think more broke off the reel and unwound itself than I used lol!

Dang crossmember is in the way of these pipes...Now I have to get creative til I can make a real good system later.

Defintely gives me respect for talented welders.

Could you post up some pictures of that? I don't quite get it