my welds

[ChrisJ]

I just wanted to ask the opinion of some of the pro's about my welds, please don't be too harsh, as my hands shake a lot, the machine is an old kestrel stick welder rated upto 160 amps, I'm just trying to get them as best as I can, thank you in advance ..
P.S the newer welds are to the left under the number 3.

 

[Jim_gsxr1000]

They are getting beter from right to left (far from the worst welds iv seen) just need to use your other hand as a prop, check out jody from welding tips and tricks.com to keep your hand steady, and try to be more consistant with travel speed could also do with a wee bit more curent, mabey 10-15 amps more, just keep practasing, im in the same boat but with tig, iv arc welded for years, but tig is a new ball park for me!

 

[ChrisJ]

thanks Jim I'll go have another bash now

 

[Jim_gsxr1000]

Cool, post some more pics up, or you practise , what rods are you using, the rods make a hell of a difference I only use ESAB 6013 rods for mild steel £12 for a 5kg box, 3.2 mm are best for practising as they are more forgiving if you we're local I'd have dropped off some rods

 

[wheresmejumper]

i loved using those esab rods on an ac oil cooled welder,but didnt like them at all with a dc sip.sold the full 15kg carton

 

[ChrisJ]

these are the next ones with the juice turned up a bit, its a big knob on the front so was hrad to judge 10/15 amps , and I tried to be more steady with the rate of travel.
these were the rods I got from ebay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330893186162

I also bought a few Lincoln rods from there too, 20 for £299 I think I really liked those but couldnt find a full pack to buy anywhere

 

[super noob]

20 rods for £299 or 20 for £2.99 cos if its the first then EEEEEEEEEK!

 

[ChrisJ]

oops lol I meant £2:99

 

[super noob]

Thats not so bad then you pried the Murex rods or SIP as I know halfrauds sells them ?

 

[ChrisJ]

oh ok cool, I will bite the bullit and go in there for a look

 

[wheresmejumper]

youre better off going to a welding shop and getting brand name rods.

 

[super noob]

haha our local is run by inbreds too I tend to pick my own stuff from the shelf and then walk off to pay if not I go to the motorfactors when they're open

 

[ChrisJ]

there must be a welding shop in Tamworth, I'll do some digging

 

[Country Joe]

there must be a welding shop in Tamworth, I'll do some digging

Are this lot any good? Seem to sell electrodes, but the "relevant" page just shows a collection of brands, but no prices!
I'd imagine they'd have better prices (& better rods) than you might find at Halfords type places.
All the Best,
CJ

 

[ChrisJ]

Bit of a long walk for me NSW lol

 

[Country Joe]

Bit of a long walk for me NSW lol

Whoops! And sorry!

Your first statement might well be true, then! The only other one I looked at was in another "Tamworth", in the US, I think!
I assumed that in the real Tamworth, near Birmingham, in the Midlands, you'd be pretty much "knee deep" in welding suppliers.
After a short google, it seems not!
Someone much more helpful will be along, soon - I hope!
All the Best,
CJ

 

[ChrisJ]

No probs CJ it gave me a laugh anyway, yes you would think being near brum there would be plenty of places close to me, actually buying off the internet is cheaper the time you've added petrol onto the cost of fetching stuff ...

 

[Country Joe]

No probs CJ it gave me a laugh anyway, yes you would think being near brum there would be plenty of places close to me, actually buying off the internet is cheaper the time you've added petrol onto the cost of fetching stuff ...

That's often very true!
CJ

 

[Jim_gsxr1000]

I wouldn't touch sip rods with a barge pole.... ESAB 6013 or Vodex 6013 are the way to go

 

[ChrisJ]

thanks guys well I will keep practising, i got another gas bottle to recycle