Tip of the week

[Judge Mental]

If you need to weld something thin and your mig doesnt go down far enough,try this dodge. Put a resistance between earth clamp and work.I used a 2 foot length of 1.5mm stainless rod. Beware, it will get hot, but it takes the current away from the work nicely. If youre going to do a lot of work this way youll have to arrange forced cooling, maybe coil the resistor and add a computer fan, or put the resistor in an oil bath. Also ,dont forget ,as it heats its resistance will change so youll need to cool it or youll be constantly changing your setting.

 

[madkayaker]

good idea lots of penetration issues are from bad earth

 

[chunkolini]

Sounds interesting.And 5 extra points for it being free.
Chunko'

 

[chunkolini]

A top tips thread??
Ok here is a belter.
Welding in dark corners, or facing into the light and cant see where the chalk line is even in an auto helmet? get a cheapo LED head torch and cable tie it onto the front of your welding helmet. Works a treat AND you get to look like a space alien.

Chunko'.

 

[madkayaker]

don't drink and drive, Take drugs and fly!

On a serious note use RCD on all tools (or better RCD sockets) electricity hurts

 

[andypocock]

A top tips thread??
Ok here is a belter.
Welding in dark corners, or facing into the light and cant see where the chalk line is even in an auto helmet? get a cheapo LED head torch and cable tie it onto the front of your welding helmet. Works a treat AND you get to look like a space alien.

Chunko'.

Forget the welding bit. I just fancy looking like a space alien

 

[Jake SS]

If you need to weld something thin and your mig doesnt go down far enough,try this dodge. Put a resistance between earth clamp and work.I used a 2 foot length of 1.5mm stainless rod. Beware, it will get hot, but it takes the current away from the work nicely. If youre going to do a lot of work this way youll have to arrange forced cooling, maybe coil the resistor and add a computer fan, or put the resistor in an oil bath. Also ,dont forget ,as it heats its resistance will change so youll need to cool it or youll be constantly changing your setting.

Only problem is that this will cause overheating of internals, and if there are feedback circuits, shunts, etc. may throw a lot of things out of whack

Cheers

Jake

 

[Judge Mental]

Only problem is that this will cause overheating of internals, and if there are feedback circuits, shunts, etc. may throw a lot of things out of whack

Cheers

Jake

I disagree.Works fine for me. The current is still being used, just in a different place to the arc.