[TheForge] RE: Welding

[frosty at customcpu.com]

Quoting John Husvar <jhusvar at sbcglobal.net>:

> 
> On Dec 15, 2005, at 11:43 PM, frosty at customcpu.com wrote:
> 
> > How have I've maligned 7018?
> 
> Well, I didn't read it that way, but it could have been, I suppose.  
> Anyway, I agree. It's good stuff, even in the 3/32 size for thinner  
> stock. It just takes some practice to get proficient with it.
> 

I should've rewritten my last post seeing as my first sentence is contradicted 
by the second to last paragraph. I didn't for a couple reasons: First I 
thought I'd let folk see just how I can confuse myself unless I reread and 
edit myself. Secondly I thought I'd share the confusion. (It can get lonely in 
my little universe sometimes. <grin>)

Even if an experienced person could see what I meant as opposed to what I 
said, there're plenty of inexperienced people subbed here for help. I'd like 
to be as accurate as I can. Even at my most accurate I sometimes shudder to 
think about the poor beginner who actually takes my advice at face value. 
<shudder>

> > I wasn't speaking of accomplished welders. An accomplished welder  
> > doesn't cold
> > lap a weld, or overamp, undercut, etc. either.
> 
> Well, most of the time. :)
> 
> I had a rash of footrests come in from one of the largest and  
> probably the oldest still operating wheelchair manufacturer. Some of  
> the prettiest Lawyer's Welds you ever saw; they were absolutely  
> beautiful, on the side where they penetrated. I ended up sending back  
> several pairs of footrests. (Fortunately _only_ footrests) All had  
> badly welded right ones that fell off within days of delivery to  
> users. Talk about your bad advertising! I wonder: Do they start their  
> new hires on right-side footrests? :)
> 
> Since this company claims to hire only experienced personnel, and I  
> have no reason to doubt it -- or didn't anyway -- even the top guns  
> can have a bad day with MIG. :)
> 

Sure, everybody has bad days. A pro just doesn't have an excuse for letting 
something like that get past them.

>  
> <chuckle> Other than restarting it after tacking or making short  
> stitches if it cools, it's fine rod to work with. I usually just  
> scratch it across some concrete or an unconnected piece of stock for  
> that.
> 

Yeah, probably it's most annoying characteristic. A pinch of the gloved 
fingers, tap on concrete, etc. to expose the end of the rod is the norm for me 
too.

> Even a minimal weave, as long as it's consistent, will produce good  
> looking, strong welds. You can darn near just drag it back and forth  
> across a butt joint at the correct amperage. Fillets are another  
> story and overhead can be painful if you're not careful. :)
> 

It doesn't take much for sure but no matter what you use you have to keep an 
even puddle to make a good weld. Hmmmm. I like 7018 for fillets, it's really 
easy to get all the slag out for the next pass(s). Unless you're talking about 
filling gaps, then give me my 6011 or 6013 till I get it closed up. Nothing is 
fun for overhead unless it's getting the smart ass "boss/expert at EVERY 
damned THING" to hold it while you stick it. <evil grin>

> 
> 
> In the Super Missile X-Box Alternative Universe, right down the  
> street from D&D World?
> 
> For throwing Super Missiles off equipment blades? Didn't you repair  
> graders and snowplows, etc? They can produce some pretty fair, if not  
> Super, missiles.
> 

No, I let the heavy duty shop take care of the graders, sanders, etc. I used 
to wear the fabricator's hat when I was drilling and that's where the Super 
Missle Weld knotheads abounded. I have stories about them but I prefer not 
getting worked up. 

> 
> I like it too. My wife, on the other hand, doesn't especially like  
> the odor if I put a pound or two in the oven for a few hours. 7018:  
> Bake at 350 for 2 hours before serving. :)
> 

Deb hasn't gotten to experience the aroma of baking rod yet though she did 
look at me funny when I told her I wanted an oven in the shop. Now she's 
discovered fold forming and enameling she's almost insisting on an oven in HER 
corner of the shop.

> Gotta build me a rod furnace one of these days!
> 

Soon as a round toit shows up. . . Right?

<grin>

Frosty