Advice for welding needed

[ShadowsPapa]

It is like most things, it is all about setup and tools. Hobart makes a nice 110 model for a good price and the Eastwood units are very solid for the money. The HF welders will just frustrate you as they cannot hold a consistent arc.

I always use gas 75% argon 25% CO2. Get decent mild steel wire. Not all weld wire is good. Some is wrapped badly and will feed horrible. Some just has bad metalurgy and will do weird things especially if you do not keep a good gas shield on it. Good spools from Farm and Fleet or Home depot are very forgiving. Surface prep is vital. This is not stick welding. Clean edges, 1/8 or less gaps. I always have a set up piece of metal. I try a number of welder setting before getting into my work piece. I look for a setting that allows my burn to be almost level with the surface. For most that is probably to hot. If you are mindful of your gas shield there is nothing say you cannot start and stop as many times as you like. Alot of guys wanna pull the trigger and lay toothpaste, but the thinner stuff won't take that heat well. I weld until the base metal starts to glow orange then back off and cover it with gas until the brightness fades and I get back at it. When I am welding structural stuff, clean with bevals and the right settings pull the trigger and let it eat.

Guess I need to take welding lessons from you, too.

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