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Post by duff on Feb 24, 2019 5:39:36 GMT -5
I inherited a lincoln stick welder when my father in law passed away years ago. Actually my wife wanted it. So it has been in the garage for 5 yrs. I finally got around to setting up an outlet for it and got the basic supplies and ppe.
I have welded exactly zero things and would like to be capable of using it for repairs and minor fabrication. I have been watching you tubes and it got me so I can make an arc but I have a LONG way to go.
I am using 6011 in 1/16 and 1/8. I was able to weld a nut to some all thread that was held by JB Weld previously. But to run nice beads on a piece of metal was a disaster. Blew a hole in the metal so figured I was too hot. Even turning down low I have trouble making a puddle to make a bead.
How do I know what setting to use?
Is some metal easier to start with as a beginner?
Any other advice is welcome
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Post by HighCotton on Feb 24, 2019 7:17:30 GMT -5
Good for you on diving into this world duff!
Growing up on the farm, My Dad and Grandad "taught" me to weld. Yeah, right! Not so good. I did what I needed to do to get the job done. The proverbial "bird poop" welder!
As I got into motorcycle restoration and racing some decades ago, I realized that I needed to up my skills as a welder. I found I could do a lot with Mig but then I had the opportunity to pick up an old Westinghouse, grid style, stick welder.
The fella told me that I could have it if I moves it out of his Dad's garage (he'd passed away).
The best thing I ever did was take the welding courses at Central Nine, the career center in Greenwood.
If you have that option, maybe finding something similar and local for you, I highly recommend it.
The first thing our instructor told us was that we would not see the Mig or Tig until we spent the first 6 weeks on the Stick and passed his various joint tests.
Awesome experience.
A few basics I remember that were profound yet simple:
Safety, What you wear is of the utmost importance. All the proper gear and especially good leather boots!
Joint preparation. Absolutely CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN!
We started with E6010 rods. With 6011 your close. Most of the amperage we used for mild steel ranged from about 80 to 110 as best I can remember.
We started with Flat welds on mostly 1/4" steel. Angle was important at 30 to 45 degrees generally.
We "whipped" a lot of C's at the joint. Then we moved to circles. Basically, this is somewhat the nature of what the bead looked like.
Practice, practice and more practice. Vary the thickness of the metal and move on to other joints like angle joints and then move into welding from various positions
We picked up a lot of other information like the ksi of the electrode (rod) and the steel we might be working with. Typically, if I remember correctly, the 6010 rod was around 60 ksi and mild steel was usually rated at 36 ksi. We aimed for the rod to be twice the ksi as the metal we were welding.
Mostly, this class gave me a new appreciation for those that are certified and masters at this profession. I have walked through bike shows and seen some of the masters creations. I've stopped and had people ask me what I was looking at.
I just say, Wow, check out that bead or joint. True masters of their craft!
I'm sure there might be some on here more experienced and there input is priceless.
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Post by duff on Feb 24, 2019 7:57:57 GMT -5
I have thought about the welding class route. I don't have a ton of free time so that is keeping me from diving in but worse than making free time to learn is wasting time.
I like wood working and know the difference between me and a trained craftsman. There are lots of skilled folks out there for sure.
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Post by deadeer on Feb 24, 2019 9:33:38 GMT -5
No amount of talk can equal time under the hood. As said, a course would be very helpful, or some time with an experienced rod burner. Then its practice time.
The electrode you are using, E6011 1/8", will do most things you will ever need to do at home. By far, my most used with an AC buzzbox. All position, deep penetrating, and ability to work with dirty metal.
To make your life easier learning to strike the arc, form the puddle, travel speed, etc, I sugggest you get some E6013 electrodes. They are very user friendly and easy to use. Not good for much else, lol, but will help you learn the basics a little easier on new and clean metals, in the flat position.
I agree with everything said so far. I am so glad my instructor made me learn stick welding first. Then its all I used for about 10yrs. Still my favorite! Now, very few guys I know can barely turn on the machine. Lol.
Good luck, be safe, and have fun with it!
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Post by butlerj on Feb 24, 2019 9:49:20 GMT -5
I took a year class at Walker career center, I didn't learn much because most of the kids that also took the class just did it to mess around and kept the teacher busy with discipline. One kid broke the water fountain and caused the room to flood. Last 3 months of the class the teacher quit or retired and we were left with book work and a substitute that kept us from using the welding machines.
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Post by duff on Feb 24, 2019 9:59:17 GMT -5
I took a year class at Walker career center, I didn't learn much because most of the kids that also took the class just did it to mess around and kept the teacher busy with discipline. One kid broke the water fountain and caused the room to flood. Last 3 months of the class the teacher quit or retired and we were left with book work and a substitute that kept us from using the welding machines. That would be disappointing. I would have been happy to help on the discipline or talk to the teacher about private lessons and avoid the distractions |
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Post by esshup on Feb 24, 2019 11:06:29 GMT -5
When I took my welding class (at night at a community college) the instructor gave us welding rod and a hammer. First thing we had to do was beat the flux off of the welding rods. He said once we learned how to strike an arc and run a bead with no flux on the rod, then we could switch rods to ones with flux on them. Best thing he ever did. Once you stop learning to use the flux as a crutch, your welding will improve tremendously.
I agree with what was said, you are better off taking a class.
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Post by stevein on Feb 24, 2019 11:34:28 GMT -5
I second the 6013 as a starter rod. Start with making puddles on a flat surface. Then do some short flat welds.
You will be able to graduate to joining 2 pieces.
The classes would be helpful.
Some things you need to find out about your welder.
Is it AC, DC or both? Makes a difference on rod selection.
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Post by duff on Feb 24, 2019 14:12:29 GMT -5
I second the 6013 as a starter rod. Start with making puddles on a flat surface. Then do some short flat welds. You will be able to graduate to joining 2 pieces. The classes would be helpful. Some things you need to find out about your welder. Is it AC, DC or both? Makes a difference on rod selection. 1976 model AC only |
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Post by welder on Feb 24, 2019 14:13:29 GMT -5
I agree with what the others have said. I can only assume your welder is a 225 amp Lincoln buzz box? If so,6013 rods in 1/8 & 3/32 should be all you need. To start, just get a piece of scrap metal about 3/8 inch thick. Take your 1/8 6013 rod set at around 125 amps and fire up! Practice is the best teacher. I welded as a young kid,went to Ivy Tech after high school and started welding at a coal mine. Dad said "son,the only difference in someone who can weld and someone who can't is a ton welding rods" truer words were never spoken!
Good luck, feel free to PM me if you need any additional advice.
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Post by duff on Feb 24, 2019 14:27:51 GMT -5
I agree with what the others have said. I can only assume your welder is a 225 amp Lincoln buzz box? If so,6013 rods in 1/8 & 3/32 should be all you need. To start, just get a piece of scrap metal about 3/8 inch thick. Take your 1/8 6013 rod set at around 125 amps and fire up! Practice is the best teacher. I welded as a young kid,went to Ivy Tech after high school and started welding at a coal mine. Dad said "son,the only difference in someone who can weld and someone who can't is a ton welding rods" truer words were never spoken! Good luck, feel free to PM me if you need any additional advice. Correct 225 lincoln ac only. I cleaned it up and made sure connections were tight and no frayed or worn parts. It runs just fine. I practiced a it today. It got better. |
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Post by welder on Feb 24, 2019 14:51:19 GMT -5
I agree with what the others have said. I can only assume your welder is a 225 amp Lincoln buzz box? If so,6013 rods in 1/8 & 3/32 should be all you need. To start, just get a piece of scrap metal about 3/8 inch thick. Take your 1/8 6013 rod set at around 125 amps and fire up! Practice is the best teacher. I welded as a young kid,went to Ivy Tech after high school and started welding at a coal mine. Dad said "son,the only difference in someone who can weld and someone who can't is a ton welding rods" truer words were never spoken! Good luck, feel free to PM me if you need any additional advice. Correct 225 lincoln ac only. I cleaned it up and made sure connections were tight and no frayed or worn parts. It runs just fine. I practiced a it today. It got better. Good deal, the old Lincoln welders like you,me, and about every other guy have are very good machines,IF you know how to operate them. Concentrate on the puddle-not the arc. You will soon be able to see the flux/slag flowing to the edge. Keep the rod touching the material,not hovering slightly over it. |
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Post by span870 on Feb 24, 2019 15:46:56 GMT -5
Bedford has night classes
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Post by duff on Feb 24, 2019 16:23:26 GMT -5
Bedford has night classes At the school? I was trying to figure this out but figured it would have to be during biz hrs only. Thanks |
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Post by span870 on Feb 24, 2019 18:48:20 GMT -5
Bedford has night classes At the school? I was trying to figure this out but figured it would have to be during biz hrs only. Thanks At the trade school or whatever they call it attached to the school. I don't know the details but when I had my second back surgery I looked into it. Hurry up and get proficient with it, need someone to build me a dog trailer. |
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Post by duff on Feb 24, 2019 19:13:48 GMT -5
At the school? I was trying to figure this out but figured it would have to be during biz hrs only. Thanks At the trade school or whatever they call it attached to the school. I don't know the details but when I had my second back surgery I looked into it. Hurry up and get proficient with it, need someone to build me a dog trailer. I can build you a trailer tomorrow. No more training needed. It will come with a custom price too |
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Post by 36fan on Feb 28, 2019 12:22:48 GMT -5
I currently have a borrowed 110V MIG welder at my house I've been playing with. Unfortunately, I have to return it soon as the owner is about to move out of state. HOWEVER, it looks like I'll be acquiring a 220V MIG welder from him that he has no use for, and doesn't want to take with him. My wife will just have to deal with the clothes dryer being unplugged while I'm playing with it  I would love to take a welding class and learn what I'm doing. YouTube is great, but it only goes so far. I think I'm going to make a horseshoe dutch oven holder soon:  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2019 13:23:48 GMT -5
My son started messing and practicing on his own about 6 years ago. Now he has one more class (summer) to get his two year decree and he is certified to weld all but under water. He mentioned that was next. One thing I learned is that he welds only wearing his welding cloths and he is not allowed to use our wash machine/dryer. Hand wash only. It's great to have a welder in the family. I just hope he sticks around town if he ever gets married. With his track record it's sooner verses later. Sam turns 22 in June.
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