Hi Guys,
I am bouncing off the walls! Just done my first weld and LOVED IT! I'm sure it looses its charm, but a great experience!
I have a clark 160E, murex rods and was using 3mm angle iron.
Bought a auto darken helmet from the states, what a thing that is! Wouldn't have had a chance without it!!
It is an alot less physical than I imagined. Not sure why I thought it would be, but after I stopped trying to strike an arc that was 2 inches long I got on fine!
I struggled to get the arc started at first, and stuck a rod once or twice (shagged one, cos I didn't release it out the clamp before a mm or two of flux fell off the bottom) but all in it was a lot easier than I imagined.
Slag bashed off pretty easy too.
I admit I found it hard to breath at first whilst I was doing it, but I think that was nerves! when I finnally did breath I ended up messing up as the deep breath knocked my hand a little.
Also took a while to understand how quick the stick burned up, and so ended up looking at the puddle rather than how long the arc was getting and then realised and over compensated.
noticed a really weird thing though, as I got closer to the work peice, a load of tiny sparks flew towards the stick, and the stick started to glow a little.
Think I need to clean off the steel prior to welding in future.
Wanna see pics? (he says nervously!)
I am bouncing off the walls! Just done my first weld and LOVED IT! I'm sure it looses its charm, but a great experience!
I have a clark 160E, murex rods and was using 3mm angle iron.
Bought a auto darken helmet from the states, what a thing that is! Wouldn't have had a chance without it!!
It is an alot less physical than I imagined. Not sure why I thought it would be, but after I stopped trying to strike an arc that was 2 inches long I got on fine!
I struggled to get the arc started at first, and stuck a rod once or twice (shagged one, cos I didn't release it out the clamp before a mm or two of flux fell off the bottom) but all in it was a lot easier than I imagined.
Slag bashed off pretty easy too.
I admit I found it hard to breath at first whilst I was doing it, but I think that was nerves! when I finnally did breath I ended up messing up as the deep breath knocked my hand a little.
Also took a while to understand how quick the stick burned up, and so ended up looking at the puddle rather than how long the arc was getting and then realised and over compensated.
noticed a really weird thing though, as I got closer to the work peice, a load of tiny sparks flew towards the stick, and the stick started to glow a little.
Think I need to clean off the steel prior to welding in future.
Wanna see pics? (he says nervously!)