Thanks again Gary.

I've been pushing my welds. Was considering pulling so I could see the
puddle better, but I'll stick with the programme. Good tip on pre
heating. As for wiring etc., I don't use an extension, but I did find
that with the welder set to max. and my big fan on max, that the
circuit will overload! (can a guy weld in the dark? --- ;^)

I can sort of "see" that the penetration on 1/4", even if welding
optimally, would be limited. I'll bet that at best, it's only going in
about a 1/3 of the way. I should cut open a 1/4" weld and see.

Appreciate the help. And nice lookin' Vanagon bike racks!

Cheers,

Neil.

On Sat, Mar 15, 2008 at 11:14 PM, Gary Lee   www.vwrack.com
<gary2a@telus.net> wrote:
> Well gas will be cleaner than flux, but not necessarily stronger.  If you
>  only weld occasionally, I would not bother with renting or buying a gas
>  bottle.
>  Good you got lots of amps available.  That makes a big difference.
>
>  120 volt welders can't produce enough heat to weld 1/4" 'properly'.
>
>  To maximize the amount of heat a small welder will produce:
>  - Heavy gauge extension cord
>  - Hold tip as close to work as possible
>  - Push the bead, as opposed to pull.  Push = like driving forward.  Pull =
>  like driving in reverse
>  - Preheat the piece with a propane or acetylene torch
>  - Move torch slow, steady and smoothly.  In a controlled motion.
>
>  fwiw, I wouldn't be welding any trailer hitches with a 120 volt welder.
>
>  If anybody in Calgary needs simple welding jobs like that done, I do it for
>  free for local vanagon owners.
>
>
>  Gary Lee
>  www.vwrack.com
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>  From: "neil N" <musomuso@gmail.com>
>  To: "Gary Lee www.vwrack.com" <gary2a@telus.net>
>  Cc: <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
>  Sent: Saturday, March 15, 2008 11:44 PM
>  Subject: Re: WAS: building carrier bar..... NOW: Test Weld PIC
>
>
>  > Thanks for the pointers Gary.
>  >
>  > Yup. 120, MIG with flux but am running 12 gauge from a 20 amp breaker.
>  > I found I could go quite slow on the 1/4" plate and will slow it down
>  > more. Quite a contrast to the practice welds I tried on the scrap
>  > exhaust tube.
>  >
>  > I may end up using 1/8" plate and angle instead of the 1/4". Those
>  > were free scrap pieces so I gave it a whirl.
>  >
>  > I'm learning pretty fast, but there's lots to learn even with just
>  > setting up correctly. Proper lighting, material and work position etc.
>  >
>  > It'll be nice to get set up with gas. The flux puts out too much smoke
>  > and spatter.
>  >
>  > Thanks,
>  >
>  > Neil.
>  >
>  > On Sat, Mar 15, 2008 at 10:30 PM, Gary Lee www.vwrack.com
>  > <gary2a@telus.net> wrote:
>  >>  >Now I KNOW I'll get this load bar done. Too bad I can't get material
>  >>   >til Tuesday!
>  >>
>  >>   > http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/1stlargeweld
>  >>
>  >>   >Thanks guys,
>  >>   >Neil.
>  >>
>  >>  Neil,
>  >>  Looking at your picture, I'd say you are using a 120 volt MIG.
>  >>  Fluxcore?
>  >>  That would give you marginal penetration on material as thick as in
>  >>  your picture.  Go slowly and weave back and forth.  I hold the torch
>  >>  with two hands, one on the trigger and the other near the tip. Hold
>  >>  the torch close in to the material, as little 'stick out' and
>  >>  possible.  Plug your welder in as close to the breaker box as
>  >>  possible.  Avoid using extension cords.
>  >>
>  >>  Gary Lee
>  >>  www.vwrack.com
>  >>
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  > --
>  > Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia - "Jaco"
>  >
>  > http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
>  > http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>  >
>  >
>  > --
>  > No virus found in this incoming message.
>  > Checked by AVG.
>  > Version: 7.5.519 / Virus Database: 269.21.7/1329 - Release Date:
>  > 14/03/2008 12:33 PM
>  >
>  >
>
>

--
Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia - "Jaco"

http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/