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Welding Topic
Note: This post has been split from another topic.
this one is definately not protected by copyright… why? coz its “me” doing the welding for a demo. :lol1:
edit- sorry im stick welding… never read your post properly 😳 :lol1:
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41 Replies
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You look as though you are welding in your front room Rob. What are you doin’ ?
That would be the ideal shot if you were Mig welding mate.
Might be able to photoshop it with George’s tip (photo) from earlier on this thread.
Ta for the help.
Simon.
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i was in our workshop mate.. :lol1:
i was welding up a big frame that we later concreted into the ground & fitted signs to.
in this picture you see the frame being off loaded from a truck and dropped into holes i had just dug. “metre deep”
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No probs fella!!
I read youre removing the background, thats even better.
Would you like a particular “piece” to be worked on or is anything ok?
Also i dont think taking a photo while the torch is “working” is a great idea. ARC EYE is not something i enjoy. lol lol
Cucumber on both eyes, optrex by the gallon, no sleep for 48hrs, and loads of swearing! Ha Ha
Seriously though mate i’ll do my best tomorrow
Matt
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arc eye…. something i tell all our apprentices, but “they” know better.
had one that was clearly an idiot.. used to say he couldnt get it and staired right at it. it was 3 days off work not being able to see that made him think twice. even on his return his eyes weeped and were red. :lol1: -
Looks like a big sign Rob!!
4×4 steel box? Painted in red lead? How sad am i eh!!
Good to see you do your welding “in-house” Rob.
Do you do a lot of welding of large signs
Matt
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Yeah it can be real nasty mate. Even a “flash” as your walking past a working set can get you.
Have you tried aluminium welding Rob. Same principal. But argon gas instead of cougar 5, and different size tip, depending on wire guage. You should “tig” ali. But you can get good results from a mig. But if your doing a lot of signage like this then ali is a good option to consider. Anodised aluminium is not going to corrode at all in comparison with steel. Dont get me wrong, i dont want to sound like im telling you what to do. You probably know all this anyway. Just me tuppence
Matt
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hi mate, yes your correct, 4×4 painted in red lead. obviously the bits i am welding are bare from paint 😉
we weld on occasion, having the kit there to do it when needed is very helpful for things that need to go out the door fast.
the sign i am welding up was done from spec of our customers architects.
so i just did what was asked…
it is always better to do most things “in house” here is a picture of me spray painting the face of an illuminated sign i did last summer.
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And i thought i was a jack of all trades!!
I have painted in the past. I try not to though. All depends on the finish wanted. If its tricky i let the experts do it. Did you etch prime that Rob? lol lol 😀
Matt
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looked at doing the alluminium but had no end of bother with the mig plant i bought. in end i sent it back. unless using a big plant i wasnt gonna get the weld i was after i dont think. the big plant at about £2000 was too expensive for me to buy only needing it once in a blue moon.
i have another small coil plant too… again, never got round to messing around with it. i like the stick welding, always feel i get a good strong weld. the plant we bought for the alloy welding was a decent one for its size. cost about £450 but the stainless steel fabricators next door to me couldnt even get it welding good. and they have been doing it 45 years.have you looked at the alliminium welding rods? you just use the rod and a bare flame. apparently as srong as anything you could do any other way. im gonna buy some in and go that route if and when i need to weld alloy.
the painting… yeh done the full bit… even laquered it when i was done.
done it with two pak….
and i know i should have been using airfed helmet/mask. i wuld normally but this was just a quick/small sign. 😕 :lol1: -
quote Robert Lambie:edit- sorry im stick welding… never read your post properly 😳 :lol1:stik welding lol, would this not be arc welding ?!!!
havent welded in years, mainly cos the stuff i needed welding of late, would’ve had to be scrutineered !
re arc eye, only had it mildly once,
but another time, i couldnt find the full mask, so used the old goggles was arc welding in a sweltering workshop in the height of summer, only a t shirt on (hard as nails i was !) only that evening did i realise the extent of the ‘sunburn’ i looked like i’d been sunbathing all day with nowt but a tshirt and gogles on, man did i look stupid for a couple of weeks !
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quote Hugh Potter:stik welding lol, would this not be arc welding ?!!!
yeh arc is proper term but up here its nicknamed stick welding… i think this originated in the big shipyards in the clydeside, glasgow.
i have allot of family that worked there all there days, john brown yard and the like… they would call it stick welding and i guess its just stuck with me 😉 -
i knew what you meant, lol !!
ship yards? cool, was a job for life back then, though i dont think the health and safety rep was too apparent in those days !! yet another industry gone to the far east !
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Isn’t all welding “arc” welding?
Stick is the term we use out here.
I am actually in college right now taking a class on welding.
-Marek -
Hey guys. Back again. Sorry simon. Cant really see a way round this. Are we alowwed to put phone numbers on here rob?
Marek. Good point there mate. Not too sure. I suppose your right. But then again, arc welding is a term used for “stick welding” using a rod and flame, very similar to “braising”
Mig welding being the modern latter form, using a wire fed set to produce an electrical current from which the wire is made hot once the circuit is made by “earthing” the work piece, completing the circuit.
You will definately enjoy the course your gonna do marek! Really interseting. Possibilities are endless.
Talking of arc eye again. I’ve had some nasty experiences. Not just with the eyes. More times than i care to remember, i’ve been zipping something up and a “hot rock” from the welder has popped down me boot. Funny for the lads watching me jump round like a crazy fool trying in vain to get me boot off before it starts, literaly melting into me foot, or inbetween me toes. That feckin hurts, trust me. In the earole is probably more-so.
When i used to make tippers for transits and the like is usually the worst, as you have to tack everything together, lift the body up once its tacked to the lifting gear, then finish the welds underside. Welding above yourself is not very clever!!! But even the most carefull person with any amount of protective clothing on is gonna get hot rocked sometime. I’m sure rob will tell you the same.
Dont mean to put you off marek! In college they will teach you things on a bench. Not quite the same. lol. I know what you mean hugh. May a time ive looked like a roasted chicken in the depths of winter.
All the best with the course marek. Let us know how ya get on matey.
Matt
Oh well thats it for now.All the best
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Yeah, I don’t think we will be doing much overhead welding in this class. It’s basically just a beginners course to show you the different types of welding and the different electrodes. I’ve already had a couple of small burns, nothing major yet. (hot)
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hugh said:re arc eye, only had it mildly once,
wot you started speaking jockanese
arc eye the noo
:lol1: :lol1:
i’ll get me coat
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Very good george lol. Hows it going then marek?
Matt
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I’ve spent more time welding than i care to admit to.
We call it Stick welding too, because you’re using a Rod, not a wire.For reference, arc is all welding done with electricity and not a flame:
Arc – The physical gap between the end of the electrode and the base metal. The physical gap causes heat due to resistance of current flow and arc rays.
MIG (Metal Inert Gas – GMAW or Gas Metal Arc Welding) – An arc welding process which joins metals by heating them with an arc. The arc is between a continuously fed filler metal (consumable) electrode and the workpiece. Externally supplied gas or gas mixtures provide shielding. Common MIG welding is also referred to as short circuit transfer. Metal is deposited only when the wire actually touches the work. No metal is transferred across the arc. Another method of MIG welding, spray transfer moves a stream of tiny molten droplets across the arc from the electrode to the weld puddle. Consumables: contact tips, shielding gas, welding wire.
TIG Welding (Tungsten Inert Gas -GTAW or Gas Tungsten Arc) – Often called TIG welding (Tungsten Inert Gas), this welding process joins metals by heating them with a tungsten electrode which should not become part of the completed weld. Filler metal is sometimes used and argon inert gas or inert gas mixtures are used for shielding. Consumables: tungsten electrode, filler metal, shielding gas
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Nice one steve. Not so up on the tech terms. Self taught im afraid. Not coded either. What did you use to weld mate?
Matt
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Yeah Matt, the class is going good. We’re only doing Stick electrode welding right now, learning all the different rods and settings to run them at. We’re just doing flat lines on a 1/4″ plate. We try doing some uphill/downhill welds next class. TIG and MIG are going to be taught in a few weeks from now.
-Marek -
quote valegraphics:What did you use to weld mate?
Well, I started with a stick when I was a kid, just cause Dad had one here. Then I got a 110 volt Mig to do Auto body work as a teenager.
In my twenty’s I worked for an Iron working outfit and got serious about stick welding with structural steel. I was certified at that time.
After that I was a mechanic for a trucking / refuse company and did a lot of repair work on the trucks and Dumpsters.. Stick and Mig. I welded a lot of Dirty rusty 1/8′ steel with an AC stick.. challenging, but i did it enough to get pretty good at it.
My last Job was 7 years at An Alcoa Aluminum Plant as a mechanic and had extensive Stick and Mig Training. Mostly High pressure Pipe and Structural stuff. I did a lot of bracket and mounting Fab work, i enjoyed the design and layout end of it. I had classroom training on tig, but never did much of it.I’m well versed, but just like graphics.. Welding is always different.
Thanks for asking
steve
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Good For You Marek,
Welding’s fun! Steady Hand and practice.. You’ll be a Pro! -
interesting stuff steve, good to know you know what you know, you know what i mean? 😮 :lol1:
seriously though… have you ever tried these alluminium welding rods? were you dont need a plant, gas etc just blow torch?
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You sound well experienced in the trade steve. You put me to shame. Not too clever with the “stick”. oops lol 😕 I was a self taught mid/tig man. Used to use oxy/acetelyne a bit mainly to cut tho.
Good to hear from someone with a background similar to mine. What a transition tho steve. Steel workers to graphics/signs. A lot cleaner eh mate? 😉
Matt
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quote Robert Lambie:interesting stuff steve, good to know you know what you know, you know what i mean? 😮 :lol1:
seriously though… have you ever tried these alluminium welding rods? were you dont need a plant, gas etc just blow torch?
Rob,
I’ve never tried Aluminum Rods with a torch, Just Brazing on Auto Radiators and stuff as far as Oxy Acetalyne Welding.
I did However, use an Aluminum rod with a stick welder. Looked just like a regular rod with flux on it, but with an aluminum filler. They were a little crazy, but could get you out of a pinch. I never bought any, but we had some at alcoa and i played around a bit with them. It was pretty much like when you first learn to weld aluminum with a mig… either not enough heat, or you were melting the rod like butter.
If you ever see any of these rods, give them a try… it’ll be fun! -
Rob the ally rods and a butane torch are more of a solder than a weld, alli oxidises very quick, thats why you need an inert gas to surround the area.
I did a fair bit of stick stuff in my younger days, I still have an oxford oil filled set in the garage, along with a mini gas set that I really should give back to boc, instead of paying rental on.
Funny how diverse the people on here are 😀
Peter
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quote valegraphics:You sound well experienced in the trade steve. You put me to shame. Not too clever with the “stick”. oops lol 😕 I was a self taught mid/tig man. Used to use oxy/acetelyne a bit mainly to cut tho.
Good to hear from someone with a background similar to mine. What a transition tho steve. Steel workers to graphics/signs. A lot cleaner eh mate? 😉
Matt
Hey Matt,
Sticks are just like anything.. the more you do it, the easier it gets. It does help to know the theory, then you get confidence in your welds.
As far as my transition, it kidna ended up where it started. I started drawing and hand lettering at an early age, just because i could. I had talent, but not much skills. I made my first actual sign when i was 12 in 1980… It’s still hanging. I painted it with Testors Model paints. It has been repainted once by the customer (I should get a pic of that)
… anyhow, i went through school doing hand lettering for fun, again never really developing my skills, but I was o.k. at it. I could draw lettering great, but wasn’t as fluent with a brush.
I went to The art institute of Phila. right after high school for commercial art. After art school, i couldn’t find a job in the field that would pay more than 6 bucks and hour soi went back to Auto mechanics and restoration. I took auto mechanics in a Tech program in high school and was working for a garage at the time.. It was that Teacher who convinced me to go to art school…
So then I moved on to construction and stuff.. always thinking I’d get back into graphics. I played in Rock bands From 91 to 2001 . That Ate up all of my time. at this point i was doing vinyl on the side so I finally decided to Retire from the music and start the sign shop. wish I would have done it sooner, but that’s how it played out.
I dodn’t entirely give up the music though…. I play Piano and Drums.. i was a drummer in working bands for 1o years.. Now i play Bass Guitar in a punk band for Fun. We Just play out a few times a year….so that’s the story
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i tried brazing many moons ago with the smear on flux, rod and torch. it used to run like crazy :lol1:
here is the rods i was talking about…
we dont do anything big BIG… but i often find myself stuck for a good finish when i make a pan sign. we have our own giuliotine and metal folder so after doing the pan in house, we are stuck for a weld in the corners on the alluminium to completely close and seal.. i get round it by smearing in a two part putty that hardens like rock.. i then buff it down and spray paint the panels.
while i have that site open im gonn order some rods and have a play. 😀 -
Thanks steve. Your a highly talented bloke!!! You make my past look like n episode outa the waltons my friend
Matt
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Thanks Matt,
I just like to do Stuff.. Like to Live every day!
I’m Sure you fill your days up too! The Waltons Had Fun! 😀My other hobby Now is Racing motorcycles (dirt)- did that in my teens too and started again in 03.
Rob,
I might grab some of those Rods as well, looks like it’d be good for thin stuff.
My small mig does good on thin steel, but it’s fussy with AL when i get down to about 3/32″steve
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quote Peter Normington:Rob the ally rods and a butane torch are more of a solder than a weld, alli oxidises very quick, thats why you need an inert gas to surround the area.
PeterYeah, That Makes sense Peter, I agree. Any Flux you would use would not work as well as Argon. From what i remember in training, to get the best weld, you have to remove ALL of the atmosphere.
I guess we’ll have to get a TIG set up and master that to have all bases covered.
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Yeah steve. Sounds like you live life to the full!
Matt
G’night jimbob!!!!!!!!!! :lol1: 😀
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Steve is indeed a man of many talents for sure!
I just had to go back here, still laughing!!
https://www.uksignboards.com/viewtopic.p … &start=180Peter
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can i join in here!
I used to be a welder on the steel works for years, helped to mig weld all the road panels which when assembled ended up being the “Humber Bridge” Before that worked at “International Harvesters” at Doncaster the tractor people. Used to weld the big stuff, lift arms & 4 in 1 buckets for the JCB’s.
Them were the days.
Still got my arc set 380 amp, in fact will be using it this weekend to weld safety railings around the Mezzanine floor just built to give us more room.speaking of arc eye, had to stand in for the overhead crane driver one night shift, working over the welders below, yes you guessed it, had to sound the siren on the crane for someone to guide me to the end of the track & help me down the ladder, couldn’t open my eyes for 4 yes 4 days. That taught me a valuable lesson, 4 days off work no pay & in agony.
L J
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ok who else is gonna join the CWG “closet welders group”? :lol1: :lol1:
Lets ave you! 😛
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Very good peter. Cheers mate for the pm. superstar
Hey i could start the “f.k.a welders appreciation society on ere”(formerly known as) 😮 Move over mr lambie!!!!!!!!!! tee heeEh fellas there somthing you wanna tell me. Charity my ass oops. Your ass. oops. Think i’ll shut-up now. lol lol lol
matt
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Ere rob, do we get a prize for the longest thread? :lol1: :yes1: Tee hee
Keep em coming people
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…Arc eye is one thing…..UV burns in another.
You’ll always get dumb apprentices, especially when welding is invloved.
Besides the setting each others boilersuits on fire and purposfully causing showers of molten steel to cascade over the workshop, I heard of one particularily (cough) bright spark decided to give himself a tan (had been paying attention to warning about UV & eye damage). So whilst in a welding booth, dropped the top of his overalls, clenched his eyes and struck up a nice juicy arc…well a couple of rods worth. Obviously no tan ensued…only nasty red UV ‘sun burn’ the following day. Idiot.
But the best ‘welding’ I personally witnessed was by a deeply unpopular apprentice who dared himself (God on;y knows why) to discharge a 30v half fardad capacitor over his braces… now half a farad is a HELL of a lot of stored energy. We (three other electrical apprentices) helped by 1. finding the cap. 2. charging it on a power supply 3. procuring croc-clips & wire. Alan (no need to protect the foolish), then holding the wires enlightened himself on the finer points of electoshock therapy / torture. Just remembering the flash, twitch & short burst of expletives make me laugh. Priceless.
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Off now to watch shameless on ch 4. (manc accent)Cos they know how to throw a parte!!
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Ouch!!!!
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ok who else is gonna join the CWG “closet welders group”?
Me!
In my ‘other’ job I am a railway coachbuilder and painter and seem to spend half my life welding at the moment. I mainly use MIG now but I have done some stick welding in the past. I also use oxy-propane cutting equipment quite a lot too.
Only ever had one railway carriage on fire but managed to put it out before any real damage was done! 😳
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