Five years later, my welds still suck.

[Crepitus]

View attachment 1156129

My biggest problem is... I don't weld enough.

I'm just not fabricating big welding projects.

Once or twice a year, something breaks, like the arm detaching on this patio chair, and I pull out the welder and join it back together.

Sure, it's joined, and it's solid ... happy dance.



But man. What a terrible looking weld.

Link to former terrible welds.

Looks like one of mine!!

I suck at welding. Especially arc welding.

And I put the "stick" back in stick welding, lol.

 

[westwall]

I'd be happy with demonstrable improvement.

Part of your issue is you only use it on projects that actually matter to you. You need to use it on scrap so you can take lots of time figuring out what does, and doesn't work on a particular thickness of metal.

 

[Crepitus]

Join the club. lol.

I never could weld worth a darn either. Same thing, just don't ever really do it all that often.

I cracked an exhaust manifold a while back and took it to a welder to deal with for fifty Federal Reserve Notes. I wasn't even gonna try it.

That's what I do whenever I need something real.

 

[The Duke]

View attachment 1156129

My biggest problem is... I don't weld enough.

I'm just not fabricating big welding projects.

Once or twice a year, something breaks, like the arm detaching on this patio chair, and I pull out the welder and join it back together.

Sure, it's joined, and it's solid ... happy dance.



But man. What a terrible looking weld.

Link to former terrible welds.

Don't feel bad, I ain't got it, either.
When I do have is phone numbers of people I know that are good at it.

 

[Missourian]

One more fun bit of information I'd like to impart. From looking at your weld you probably didnt use any anti-spatter spray. You know the chemical spray you spray on the metal to prevent the little molten drops from sticking to your work surface?

While anyways , way back in the day I had a welding instructor who was from Hawaii... and he gave us all this tip. If you dont have any anti spatter spray available, you can also use spray on coconut oil instead , as it has an incredibly high burn temperature.

Ive used it and it works well! it also makes your project smell like coconuts lol... the only minor drawback is that after it cools off you have a thin layer of coconut oil dried on that you need to remove with soap and water.

Didn't know this stuff existed. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Yarddog]

I think I gave $30 for it back when HF would have half off their red tag as-is returns. But I think you're onto something here. If it worked better, I'd probably use it more.

You might be surprised how addicting it will be when you lay down some solid weld. It's good for people with OCD. Not sayin that you uhh.......

Anyways, also read up a little bit if you havnt already on wire speed vs the voltage selector knob. with thickness of steel. Lots of machines of course have instructions on the side. Theres not much option with that H.F. machine you have but with a more powerful one you dont want the wire speed to be going too fast or you will be cooling the weld pool by adding too much filler.... and too slow, your wire will begin to melt before it hits your weld. When you get it just right it will have the sizzling sound like frying bacon.

which is why I like to use the coconut oil trick, lol

If you have the time and extra money you should invest a little in something decent, you might be surprised!
Making a little welding table all out of steel would be a good project as well. It will make all your other projects easier.

 

[westwall]

You might be surprised how addicting it will be when you lay down some solid weld. It's good for people with OCD. Not sayin that you uhh.......

Anyways, also read up a little bit if you havnt already on wire speed vs the voltage selector knob. with thickness of steel. Lots of machines of course have instructions on the side. Theres not much option with that H.F. machine you have but with a more powerful one you dont want the wire speed to be going too fast or you will be cooling the weld pool by adding too much filler.... and too slow, your wire will begin to melt before it hits your weld. When you get it just right it will have the sizzling sound like frying bacon.

which is why I like to use the coconut oil trick, lol

If you have the time and extra money you should invest a little in something decent, you might be surprised!
Making a little welding table all out of steel would be a good project as well. It will make all your other projects easier.

Yup, welding table good!

 

[Missourian]

We're gonna call this good enough.

Clean it up and slap some paint on it.

 

[westwall]

We're gonna call this good enough.

Clean it up and slap some paint on it.

View attachment 1156405

Don't hit it too hard from the side!

 

[Yarddog]

We're gonna call this good enough.

Clean it up and slap some paint on it.

View attachment 1156405

Hey it doesnt look half bad now! good job on the grinding! Yep a little paint and no one will be the wiser!

 

[Missourian]

Now I've got to strip and paint the rest, cuz they now look like crap next to this one.

 

[Natural Citizen]

What is that? A chair or a bench?

Pft. That's way good enough...

 

[Missourian]

What is that? A chair or a bench?

Pft. That's way good enough...

Thanks.

It's a chair from a patio set.

 

[OKTexas]

You'd think a piss poor welder would be a wizz-bang grinder.

Alas, this is not the case.

Ya just have to stay away from metal not involved in the repair. I know that's easier said than done sometimes, especially in tight spaces.

.