So to update or clarify some questions here’s what I know after seeing the drawing. 1095 steel, 16 ga. To be heat treated to “spring temper”

Of course just one part

Couple ideas 1. I hate thoriated tungsten for starting, it wanders a lot and upsets me when welding wire mesh. I prefer lanthanated or ceriated 2 . Make sure everything is clean including tungsten 3. Before you strike the arc scratch the tungsten just a little bit on the material or even just touch ...

Hey all, looking for some guidance on a job coming down the line. My understanding is that the material will be 1095 spring steel that needs to be heat treated after welding. Does anyone have experience in this area? I believe I’m looking at preheat and post heat to start. How about a wire suggestio...

You’ll likely end up with one of each as you build up your tool set. If I had to pick one or the other it would not be the band saw. They wander to much and once you lose the set on one side the blade is shot for a decent cut.

4043 is better for crack resistance. Lots of vibration on aluminum is no good. Take a look at any cheaply made aluminum ramps and trailers out there that have been in use. You’ll find one thing in common, they all have cracks. If you have the ability to bevel you should do so. If at all possible you...

Tack them up and place a shim under the plate that is only as wide as your vertical plate. If you’re welding .250 material use .250 wide shim. Stick that directly under your vertical piece and clamp the part to the table so it bends down. Weld the part and let it cool before release clamps. Thicknes...

I have the same problem. For tig I use your standard gloves. Big in the fingers. As you break them in they will shrink up to a perfect fit from the heat. Doesn’t take long

If it’s truly day one you’re in great shape, I mean that honestly. Anyone that comes up with that in such a timeframe has a natural ability. Just keep welding. The soot looks like more mig to me which is strange for the beads you were running on your flat sample. You’re fillet is consistent which is...

This is going to present all types of problems for you. Your machine isn’t quite up to the task for the blocks. Not impossible but certainly improbable for a new welder. You will need a serious amount of preheat to get going and a lot of heat directed to the block. My guess is you’ll either have a v...

You know it’s not 160. The example is to show that you can weld thicker than you think with a few tricks to help. As I stated before you need wire on those tacks. The type of wire also plays a factor. I think we’re getting a bit out of control here. I say it can be welded as it yes it’s absolutely p...

Went to test out machines at Miller in the closest regional NJ. They set me up on a few machines and we ended up spending 3 hours testing. The syncrowave line was nice, the dynasty line is even better. Working in a job shop where you can weld anything from .020-1.00 on any given day and typically st...

You might end up with that. I don’t. You can always get more out of your machine than you think. There is a difference between weldable metal with your machine and 100% penetration. Welding is a combination oh heat and speed. If you’re hot enough to sink in like that you need to pick up the pace and...

Nelson, I just saw your location. I’m just outside philly. Pm me if you wish.

This is quickly becoming all about amps. While having the ability to use more is always nice, it’s not always an option. Consider the size of your work. Obviously the more surface area you have on a part the more heat you’re going to need to puddle in a timely manner. If heat is a concern I can’t sa...

I agree. Love to see the assembly drawing itself. I have heard that sometimes engineers don’t give you the correct info. Shhh, it’s a secret. Either way I’d screen shot a basic weld symbol chart of your choosing so you can refer back to it quickly and blow it up to see it better.

You definitely want to use wire for your tacks. It’s not like stainless or steel. Even if you get it fused and you start welding they will break very quickly as the piece grows. Aluminum like wire for tacking. Tack more often than you think you should on outside corners and be very picky on your fit...

Torch angle is big but so is your wire angle. If you’re coming in to high it can tend to ball up and drop in. Be more deliberate with your motion of adding the wire. I’d recommend a stabbing motion where you stick in and pull right back out. Once you e got that you can try leaving the wire closer an...

If you’re welding stainless or steel just grind it often long before it gets to that disaster point, seriously, keep it sharp. Now if you’ve really messed up and break the tungsten off the part or you’re welding aluminum and it’s al types of gross then hang the bad section off your table, hold the t...

I weld thin metals all the time. First and foremost is practice. You’re putting way to much heat in. I’d tackle go down in wire size. You need to put to much heat in the part to melt 1/16 wire. Try .045 or my preferred .035. I choose a wire that won’t freeze the puddle causing the wire to get stuck....

Thanks for the info. Aside from the routine cleaning all suggestions are currently in play. Love the technology, hate the lifespan of everything made today. I will note that our older machines that ran decades said made in USA. They now say assembled in USA.

Hey all, currently running Miller syncrowave 350 and love it. We have only had blue in our shop. They’re great machines but I’m starting to question if I should consider Lincoln. Miller has been solid...until recent years. We’ve been averaging about 4 years before these machines need a new circuit b...

It’s been a long time and a crazy year for us all. Hope you are all well and still welding. Thanks to your help I was able to make it through this run of frames. I got better as I went and by the last two shipments they were perfect. Unfortunately obsolete now but the new generation is underway and ...

Hello everyone, new member here. I’m looking for some advice on an aluminum frame. I’m building a frame out of rectangular tubing with 1/8 wall. There’s roughly 20 components going together and bosses all over this thing to be machined after welding to +\- .005. Welding itself is a non issue, I’m no...