Put my first weld on my car today!! Never have welded before so it's not exactly good, but ita a part that will be covered by the fender anyways hehehe anyways, heres a pic
We all had our first welds. Yours look like almost everyone elses at one point or another. Better to do it yourself and learn because you just get better with every bead. Besides there is this thing called a grinder which makes us all look good in the end.......Gook luck Mav Monster.
woohoo! From someone who was on fire probably ten seperate times today, (all welding or torch cutting related) welcome to the wonderful world of welding! Actually, I really like welding and think it's a lot of fun. well done and keep practising!
for a first timer, that's impressive! I still remember my first welding experience. It was with my dad working on a '37 Chevy pickup frame (long-lost restoration project) trying to box it in. It was funny to say the least, though dad didn't think so at the time. Later on, I took a welding class in high school. It was a beginning class, but I already knew how to cut with a torch and had done some brazing. They started us all in the arc welding part, which I graduated with ease in weeks, then the instructor moved me into the advanced class with the MIG & TIG stuff. The MIG was a breeze (I had already done quite a bit...behind the instructor's back with some friends that were in the advanced class) and proceeded right to TIG welding. Man, I really enjoy using a TIG. It's a REAL challenge, but best of all, in most circumstances, if you don't like the weld, you can go back over it. Aluminum is my fav, followed by titanium. there I go rambling again
Practice makes perfect is not a cliche' when it comes to welding. Get some scapr metal of different thicknesses and practice, practice, practice. Practice butt welds, overlaps, and hole-plugging. My grandfather taught me how to weld when I was 6 years-old. He thought it was time I learned a trade. It was an DC stick welder, powered by a Chrysler flathead six cylinder. I believe the welder was made by GE of all people back in the 40's. In 1964, it was stick welding and oxy-acetelyne. Welding aluminum was left to the best of the best. When I entered my first shop class in the 9th grade, I could tell right away the teacher (his first year) did not know how to well. I wa a good kid and did say anything. When it was my turn, I put a different rod in the holder and adjusted the amperage on the welder. The teacher asked if I knew what I was doing. I simply said we would see in a minute. After about five minutes, we raised our helmets and in the privacy of the booth he wanted to where I learned to weld like that and what period was study hall. Funny, my study hall and his free period were the same. I spent the the next four days teaching my shop teacher to weld. None of the other students ever knew. Fast forward to NOv. 2003. I need to build longer ramps for my trailer. I had not welded in over 15 years. Welding is not part of the job description for a financial services professional. I went to my dad's house, spent 2 hours practicing, got my touch back, and my my ramps.
One more.... I thought it was pretty good after 15 years. NOt quite like riding a bicycle, but almost.
I can answer that question as far as welding is concerned. If, however, she was referring to your particular performance, then you'll just have to discuss that with her.
if You can answer that,then You know what I mean,You have no penetration on this weld,it is a bad weld,
ohboy here we go. A bit blunt Tom don't you think? It does look like you could have stood to up the juice a bit, it did penetrate toward the corner on the bead on the right. Probably about an inch of it. Looks like you welded both sides, did it sink in a bit more on the other side?
I mean no Harm,this is just a bad weld,all You have to do is look at it,You dont need a degree in anything to see that,Sorry! thats life!
I'm not an expert welder, and I don't claim to be. I just weld good enough to stick my projects together, and that's enough for me. I just do it for myself, and like I said, I'm no expert..........BUT- I'd say that after not touching a rod for 15 years, that's not bad at all. And, if it holds- then it's a good weld. Right?? Let's just leave it at that. And MAVMONSTER- Like it was said earlier, for a first timer, that's pretty good. You keep practicing, and watch how fast you improve. Keep it up! Country
thanks guys, I'm hopeing that my welds will start looking like walds and not just a lot of metal bubbles soon. Thats y i started on a part that will be covered by my fenders. I'm a little worried about how the body work is going to go hehehehe
You are looking at 2x2x1/4 steele angle iron. There are four welds on each end of the angle iron. That was 156 welds on two 6'8" ramps. I am sure that one or two or three welds are not perfect. A pro might could have gotten by with 2 welds on each end. The 42" ramps that came with the trailer were 2x2x1/8 with just two welds on each end. They were painted. I'll betcha he had one or two that were not perfect. You are looking at pictures that were taken a week after they were made. Some had rusted and some had been hit with a grinder and 4 inch cup brush. Each end of the angle iron was subjected to the 4 lb hammer test, the chisel test, and the 5,000 lb. F250 going up the ramps on to the trailer test. Not a single weld broke; not a single weld chipped. I forgot to mention that these were MIG'd; not sticked. In addition to the F250 test, these ramps have loaded two Mavericks (one of which had locked up, non-rolling wheels) and a Dodge lwb Ram 250 - full-size van. No movement in the rungs whatsoever. I think damn good for just two hours practice after 15 years.
