A little guidence...

[strandedhuman]

So I'm very excited. This is going to be my first time welding. I've got a piece of steel that is the same thickness of what I'm going to use on a bench project. I just cut the steel using an angle grinder. Cuts like butter...

I've got a Clarke 130EN. It says for 1/8" steel and 0.8mm wire I need to use the following settings "Welding position 4 (high)" and "Medium wire speed adjustment".

My wire speed knob is numbered from 0 to 10. So do I just set it at five?

I'm eventually going to be welding a bench with steel tubing and angle. What sorta welds should I practice?

 

[shenion]

Follow the tutorials for the wire speed and adjust for a good sizzle sound.

Don't expect full penetration on 1/8" without leaving a small gap in the joint. You will also need a good source of power. My 130 would blow a 20A breaker at times and I had to buy a real heavy-duty extension cord.

I seem to remember My 130 was at about 5 at setting 4 with 0.8mm/0.030" wire.

 

[strandedhuman]

Thanks Shenion! I will leave a small gap.

 

[strandedhuman]

I'm waiting till the shade hits my backyard before welding. Really hot out there right now.

How much of a gap would you suggest? I've read about preparing the edges into a "V" shape... Is this even worth doing?

 

[shenion]

A gap of 1/16" will work.

I have also put a V on the edges with the depth of the V about 1/2 the thickness. That works better than a gap as it tends to not pull the joint as the weld cools.

Most of the time I don't do anything as the joints were strong enough. If I need more strength, I just weld the other side too.

 

[strandedhuman]

Oh and I forgot to ask about tack welding. Seems like the tutorial says to tack weld first then seal the butt. Is this what I should do?

 

[strandedhuman]

Hmmm I need an honest opinion. So I'm doing my welds in the back yard. Is it possible for a neighbor (say about 10 to 15 feet away) to get his/her eyes damaged if they look directly at the arc? I don't want to cause damage any of them. ok maybe a few BUT that's beside the point...

What do you guys think? What distance is it ok to look at an arc?

Have any of you guys tried this before? Welding screen

 

[shenion]

You are creating lots of UV light with the arc. You can get arc eye from a considerable distance.

They don't even have to look at the arc, it can be a reflection. Speaking of UV, be sure to wear good cover on arms/body. I have gotten sunburn form only running a few beads (OK, so, I can get sunburn at a candelight dinner.)

That screen should work.

 

[GeorgiePorgie]

Well yeah if they keep looking at it,any person with a bit of nouse would just look away

You can even get arceye from staring at water reflections from a bright sunlight for some time.

 

[strandedhuman]

Thank you again shenion! Yes I've got a hobart leather jacket and gloves.

I'm going to order this screen before I weld again. I really wish I lived in the middle of no where instead of crowded brooklyn sometimes.

 

[GeorgiePorgie]

I really wish I lived in the middle of no where instead of crowded brooklyn sometimes.

Then you'd have to buy a petrol genny.

Nosey neighbours.

 

[strandedhuman]

Ha that's true! Yesterday as I was cutting the 1/8" steel, some lady stuck her head out and said "I think that's illegal. Of course I ignored her but man that's NOSY!!!

 

[GeorgiePorgie]

I think that's illegal.

My answer would have been....

Madam "illegal" is a sick bird...this is legal.

 

[strandedhuman]

lol took me a sec to get that one! First time I've heard it.