Newbie - couple of questions

[ms08]

Just getting started.....I don't have a welding table - may come when I get going though storage could be a problem but could I bolt a piece of sheet onto a workmate type tool and use that? and prior to that when butt welding two pieces together for practice say, does the earth need to connect to both pieces or will just one do?

 

[daleyd]

I use that arrangement as I currently don't have space for a dedicated welding bench, just be careful not to weld too long over 1 spot or you end up with a smoking work mate!

Earth just needs to be on one piece,

Dale

 

[Richard.]

Should be fine to do that. Don't weld directly on the bench mind as delayed said you will burn the top of your work mate.

 

[ms08]

Thank you - just chasing my last consumables and I have Parker Steel close by so may be paying a visit for some off cuts....

 

[ms08]

Another question......have been reading about shielding gas etc on here and can see about how you measure flow rates but is there a rule of thumb of what the rate should be for a particular job. Initially after practice will be looking to weld auto repairs - thin then , 0.6 wire using GYS Smartmig 162.
I am getting seriously addicted - just ordered a Learn to Weld book for my Kindle to read in bed....no going back now....but is flow rate flow rate or do you adjust according to the job?
TIA

 

[marlinspike]

I think most people start at 10l per minute and adjust until they achieve a good, consistent weld. I think it is something that you adjust if necessary in concert with power and wire speed, rather than changing the settings every time you start a different job. If you are welding outside, you might need it higher.

 

[Bigjoe]

Oooh reading welding porn in bed,it's a slippery slope! You can't be that far from me if Parker steel isn't far from you,the gys seems to be the home machine of choice at the moment, good luck and enjoy.

 

[ms08]

Ash, Bigjoe so I know where to come for advice

 

[Bigjoe]

Yep not far,I'm in Hersden, work in Preston such a small world!

You're welcome to pop over for some advice or guidance, just need to sort my garage out aka junk storage warehouse

 

[ms08]

Ok..cross country then...Lol.
Very kind offer thank you.
Not the house with all the Minors?...and do you repair traction engines at work?
Mike

 

[Bigjoe]

Nope the minors are at upstreet, I'm a lorry driver, work for Salvatori transport, as a driver but I'm a mechanic by trade,restored/recommissioned a few cars and light commercials over the years,looking for a new project, moved to Hersden at Christmas from London, got myself a nice home workshop

Wish I did work on traction engines all day tho!

 

[PTvor]

You can make a very stowable welding table with a cheap workmate - I got one second hand for a fiver for the purpose - a piece of plate, and some bits of scrap.

Tack on a couple of bits of box section, or such, to keep the plate off the wood and allow better cooling, and tack in some sort of arrangement like the keel I used, or two bits of bar or flat so that the workmate can grip it. That piece of plate is 24" x 16". You could make it more complicated, with two pieces of plate so you could use the jaw action of the workmate to grip things.

Make short tacks rather than long welds. They're plenty enough to hold it together and long welds can warp the plate. This is really the sort of job where arc comes into its own and it's well within the capabilities of a cheap buzz box, but there really isn't much welding involved and the less the better really. The difficult bit is to find the plate for a reasonable price. I was lucky enough to be given a suitable bit, just the right size.

Some people have made beautiful adjustable welding tables out of plate and ready made adjustable workbenches. The threads are on the forum somewhere.

 

[ms08]

Excellent - many thanks - just need to hunt around for a cheapish supply.
Book I am reading -American - talks about a chop saw (bench circular) for cutting. Plate I will get to size but for general cutting is cutting disc enough?
I guess a band saw is going to be needed at some point?

 

[Kent]

I had an old workmate knocking about and I needed a portable bench to bolt my bar rollers to for a job. I removed the wood and replaced it with a sheet of 5mm, welded it on with stick 5mm- 1mm? and now use it for all sorts of things from cutting, welding, bar rolling etc.
Works so good I might copy it with better stuff and make it slightly wider, I will get some pics later posted

 

[ms08]

Table made to go on workmate as above....bird poop - must be lucky then......