It followed me home

[larrynjr]

Originally Posted by Thomas Dean

Along with what Jr. said about the chrome, I would preheat to 350*F and weld with at least E7018. DO NOT TRY WELDING WITH MIG! Good find!

Thomas and Jr. thanks for the info, I didn't know that about chrome. If I grind the chrome off the weld area's will MIG work? I don't have access to a stick welder and wasn't planning on buying one.

[Thomas Dean]

Thanks Frosty, I meant to say that but hit post too quick! Brain doesn't always think as fast as my fingers type....AND THAT'S BAD!!!

[Thomas Dean]

I would never use MIG on anything that heavy much less that type of material. It would be money well spent to rent a good welding machine for 1/2 day to do that part of the welding. Shouldn't be much over $25.00 for the 1/2 day rental. Others may think different I'm sure, but I wouldn't trust the MIG to hold. (and I've been at this welding thing since '73)

[FrogPondForge]

I think the welding thing depends what you are trying to do. If you are butt welding two pieces of that stock together, you'll need a big machine. If you are trying to weld a tab or bracket onto that chunk, you could use a machine that has the capacity that matched the tab or bracket. I think my 210A MIG will weld 3/8" with .035" wire. I would freely weld 3/8" material to that chunk (or 3/4", if I could get to both sides). I think that, to make a treadle hammer out of it, you would only be welding plate, tabs or brackets to the chunk. How big they should be, would depend of the max. cap. of the HF welder. MIKE

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by Thomas Dean

Thanks Frosty, I meant to say that but hit post too quick! Brain doesn't always think as fast as my fingers type....AND THAT'S BAD!!!

No sweat.

I might not understand if I never forgot anything or hit send before I was finished. Backstopping each other is just one benefit of being here.

Frosty

[larrynjr]

Well sounds like I need to get a good mask before I start messing with this thing so I don't inhale chrome fumes. I'm thinking that I'll give it a go with the MIG anyhow and if that isn't sufficient, I can always grind off the weak welds and rent the stick welder.

As I basically have 0 experience with any type of welding, I'll probably practice on some basic welding small pieces together before jumping into the treadle project. Along with the MIG welder I ordered, I also ordered a DVD on how to weld so hopefully that will give me a few more basics that I "think" I know about now. I'll be sure to ask here for more advice.

Thanks again.

[Thomas Dean]

MIG welding on this shaft is NOT the way to go. These things do not bend, hence the pivit points on both ends. 1/2 day rental on a machine is cheap, will save at least time in the long run if not saving an injury.

FrongPondForge, I'm not being rude, just honest and blunt. But it seems you should get just a little more experience in living, let alone in welding or other matters that can cause a lot of damage to self and/or property before you start giving advice. Some of what you said is correct. 3/8" should be the MAX for MIG welding, and your machine will do that. MIG is a very desceiving process, what looks good to the eye and even an X-Ray can often be a bad weld when put to a bend test. X-Ray is the EASIEST test to pass in welding. (no matter the process) It does not show non-fussion or 'cold lap'. The material Larrynjr is wanting to use has very tight parameters that should be strictly followed if you are to weld it. AND, he openly states he has Zero experience in welding. Know what you are working with before you say, "OH, I'll just MIG that up." could bite you in the backside someday. Don't misunderstand, I LOVE my MillerMatic 250 and use it when I can. (I use a 454 Miller with dual guns ,one for MIG one for FCAW, at work...sweet machine ) But, after nearly 35 yrs experience, I know when and when not to pick it up. This case, IMHO, is a "when not".

[Frosty]

A plain dust mask will protect you well enough grinding.

If you don't know how to weld do NOT use the mig to weld this up.

Migs are known as the lawyer's welder for a reason. Unless you know how to control the thing they have a positive talent for cold lapping one side of the join while making a beautiful LOOKING bead.

While I don't agree that a mig should not be used for structural welds I've been welding for more than 40 years and am pretty familiar with heavy welds with mig.

Using a mig on heavy section welds as a learning exercise is a bad idea. Frankly welding heavy section is not a beginner project with any type welder.

Renting a stick welder for a day is going to give you a much safer hammer. Best bet is taking a welding class at the local college extension service or trade school.

I'm not trying to put you down or discourage you from the project Larry. I just don't have so many friends I can stand by and see one put him/erself at risk without at least saying something.

Frosty

[Glenn]

I just saw a NEW Lincoln buzz box at Home Depot for $265. That investment and a welding class should last most folks a life time of weekend welding. Welding on not critical materials is fine if the weld breaks, but when it gets serious, so should the welding. If your outside of your area of skill and expertise, get assistance, or even pay to have it done.

[FrogPondForge]

Sorry,
I forgot the FatherofFrogPond or FrogPond's Father or FrogPondsDad that I usually append onto my posts. Tom (son, and the real FrogPond) has too much homework to be reading this. I keep him up to speed, and occasionally post.

When I read this, "But it seems you should get just a little more experience in living, let alone in welding or other matters that can cause a lot of damage to self and/or property before you start giving advice.", I had to chuckle. That statement would have probably ticked-off my 15yo son, but for me it was funny. If you knew me, you would know just how funny that sounded. Sorry for the confusion (at least I hope you were confused).

This is what I was envisioning

I figured he may have been able to pull that off with a MIG welder and average skills. Dealing with pre-heat and crack prevention when welding alloy steels is probably more paramount than the capacity of his welder. At least when one of the members to be joined is 1/8" angle iron. Maybe it is me that is confused.
Be careful, MIKE

(FrogPondsDad)