First Welding Project

[noslo04]

Needed a shelf bracket for my plastic storage shed since the last two ones broke very easily. New one is made of 1/8" bar ($3.50) and a couple of #14 screws. Observations:

Need more practice.
5 scfm 3" air cutoff tool has very little power and binds easily.
The slightest breeze makes MIG welding outside impossible.
My rows of dimes look more like strings of popcorn.
Need more practice.

 

[t100]

for your first welding project, I'd say make a small welding table. it may cost you 40 bucks of buying steel, but it helps a lot when you make other things.

 

[noslo04]

^^My next project

 

[z28snksknr]

I agree with the cutoff tool- mine is absolutely useless and would take 2 hours to cut thin gauge sheet metal.

I also agree that practice is the best way to learn. Just remember - if everyone could just walk up to a welder and lay a stack of dimes, the wage would be a lot lower for expereinced welders.

 

[noslo04]

Aside from either a torch, metal chop saw, or band saw, what is good for cutting? Reciprocating saw (don't have one yet) with metal-cutting blade or 4.5" electric grinder with cutoff disk (have one)?

 

[OccupantRJ]

I used an electric grinder with a slitter blade for several years until I got my shop back up and operating. I made a set of battery trays for one of my golf carts using only the grinder, a workmate bench, and a welder burning 1/16" rods, under my carport. I have gone to using more electric tools and less air tools, as it takes a lot of wear off my compressors.

 

[Pat]

Good job, we all had to start somewhere. For brackets and items that are made to hold a load, just make sure you have good penetration. For small welders (110 Volt) I like using the flux cored wire to get just a tad bit more penetration than solid wire and gas. Flux core also performs well under breezy conditions. Flux core will give off a lot more smoke than solid wire, and you must remove the slag between multiple passes. In the beginning the welds do not always look as well as we would like, but with time and practice you will learn.

If I am in a hurry and need to cut some steel, I like using my 4-1/2" electric grinder with Metabo Original Slicer cut off discs.

 

[noslo04]

It's a Lincoln 135A Weld-Pak (HD). Guess the air cutoff tool is best suited for working in wet conditions.