Welding/Fab General Discussion

Good Morning, I want to make some Individual survival Kits that are about the size of the Individual First Aid Kits (IFAK) that are in use currently by the DoD. The size would be around 7 to 10 inches long by 3+ inches tall by 4+ inches wide. I am looking to take small steam tray pans (7x4x4.5) and cut them down to take off the lip that hangs on the steam table and some type of latch. The goal of the container is to have a storage box that can be worn on a belt that can double as a pot to cook or (more importantly) boil water if needed. My current kit uses a stainless steel water bottle but the size of the mouth and neck on the bottle limits what you can put i…

I'm trying to weld an inverted T shape (and failing horribly). My shop is full of things I've welded successfully so I'm curious what's going on. I've tried to weld this twice and now messed up a lot of material. Let me explain my process. I am trying to weld an inverted T shape. I put one side of the small part of the T-shape in the vice and weld the long piece so that's sticking up in the air (over my head) at 90dgs. But everytime I weld this, even if I use tons of clamps and braces the small part of the inverted T shape warps/bows upwards towards the long part. The material is 1.5x3" rectangular tubing with 1/8'th wall thickness. And I'm welding the broad …

Since I'm banned from posting any more in my other thread.... I checked my rods again and they're rated for 120-145 amps +-. 1/8" 7014 from Tractor Supply because it was cheaper than the 7018 they had and I couldn't figure there'd be any difference between the two. Switching my machine over to run electrode positive made all the difference in the world. I never would have thought it would be a thing, especially since the stinking rod company said their rods were good for either polarity. Why say that if it's not true? Anyhow, I turned the arc force knob down to 2 because that was mentioned in the pdf linked in the other thread. I have no idea if this ma…

Hey, I need the least complicated way to build a stainless steel hollow ball with a large radius. Like the one in the image. Can I get some ideas?

So who on here does high pressure xray work these are 2 1/4 chrome it took me 2 hours to to tig and stick these 2'' joint out for xray my bro is doin the 6'' for a procedure theres a 400 degree preheat on both sets tig root and hp then switch to 9018.The 2'' is 9/16 thick with a ruffly 30 degree bevel.

I am considering setting up my trail cam in my shop. Can someone answer this question? Would/will the welding arc damage my camera?

I used a mig welder at work today to put together a couple pieces for a project that I keep ruining at the house with my cheap stick welder. Well I've heard of flash burns and have never experienced them until now. I was only welding for maybe 10-15 minutes and on the front of my left upper arm (the most exposed part of my arm) I have definitely got something that looks like a good sunburn from hours of direct sunlight. I just wanted to bring this to the attention to those of us, like myself, who are new to welding. Guys it only takes a couple minutes to get burned. If I'd been welding longer I'm sure I would've gotten a much worse burn.

No pics yet but I am in the throes of deciding on my table-only a small one at first! 3' by 2'-- 1/2" two plate top and 1 and 1/2" box legs and supports which I can either arc or oa weld. I have been offered some electric heater firebricks for free and have thought to loose lay some on the table to absorb excess heat from any future welding ops. Is this a good/bad/indifferent idea please? These bricks are around 2" thick and about 8" by 6" with a groove running through them that carried the electric element wire. Any other suggestions for use etc. welcome. thanks for looking. Tom.

I'm new to using a oxy fuel . I bought a MIller Smith medium duty kit with a 120lb oxy and 80lb Ace tank. based on the 1/7 rule I'm good cutting with smith tips for up to 5" which is more than I'll prob ever need. But I'd really like to use the heating attachments which according to Smith even the smallest draws 28 SCFH meaning i'd need 200lb ace tank to use even the smallest tip - anything bigger and you're manifolding tanks which is expensive and a bit more than i bargained for. question - what happens if were to draw gas at more than the recommended rate - is it dangerous?

I've done a bit of MIG welding, but am going to take a MIG welding class at a nearby community college. I want to build a table (4' x 8') to put in my blacksmith shop. I plan on putting rollers on the legs (4 or 6 legs?), and want to have a lower shelf (full sized) for storage, maybe something to hold tools along the end, maybe a leg vice, etc. For the top, I would like a heavy plate (how heavy, I don't know - up to 1"). Suggestions, please.

Has anyone ever looked into using an gasoline/oxygen torch? I have used them quiet a bit for my full time job as a Firefighter, but I haven't seen them at all in the welding/fabrication industry or blacksmithing industry. They are expensive to buy, but very cheap to run. It is amazing how fast one of them can cut thick steel. I'm asking because with my limited experience in the smithing world it seems like there would definitely be a use for this type of torch, but it seems like no one has one. Basically I'm just curious. Thanks for your input.

you could help me build a handcrafted log skidder to pull logs graces that I recommended to use materials

I didn't know where else to ask this, so I'm sorry if I should have posted it somewhere else. I'm in the process in getting my forge up and running I'm finding the need for a torch. I'm an iron worker so I've used cheap torches, and I've used nice ones. So I don't want to just buy a cheap torch, ive seen some bad ones wear out in a week or two. I've always liked victors, but spending that much is hard when there are other quality brands out there. So I was mostly wondering if anyone had any experience/suggestions as far as torches go. I'd rather learn from someone else's mistakes. I'd primarily use it for cutting, and maybe starting my forge up. Thanks for any advice

I've been noticing lately references to the use of oxy acetylene torches for localised heating. E.g localised heat for bending, heating tenons and rivets prior to penning over. So I'm now considering if it would be a worthwhile investment? How many of you use them and what for? Is it something more particular to industrial smiths over hobby smiths?

First. I am not a welder! I bought a twentieth century 220 volt welder in the early 90's. The gent I got it from said it was new in 1952. I mainly run Forney 7018 AC rod. I have always had trouble running Lincoln , Hobart, KT Industries and most every other Rod. My supplier for Forney Rod shifted to a Chinese brand that will not work. When I go to strike an arc the Rod has to be in contact with metal or the arc stops or it sticks to the metal. I use 6013 at times but it's been a while. The info plate does not give an AC or DC output always assumed it was AC. I bought some KT E7018AC Rod today needing to weld tomorrow and I can not keep the arc going at any am…

No offense, but I may not have posted this in the right area ... or correctly, but when I tried to delete the post, it didn't quite work. Anyway about six months ago I purchased a Goss KP-414M-H Propane Torch Kit on Amazon. Everything was fine on my first tank of propane, (it was half full when I started using it). Then I bought a new tank, filled it, connected my hose, turned everything on, and lit the flame. Everything worked fine for about five seconds, then the pressure along with the flame disappeared almost like I'd run out of fuel. Each time I try I get the same result. I've tried this with and without the supplied regulator and always get the same result…

It has happened. I have to get bifocals or progressives. Anyone have trouble welding with bifocals?

Got a torch about 14" tall and 8" diameter. Biggest one I have seen. Labeled Colman lamp Company on gauge.

Problem is the lever on this regulator doesn't open or close the oxygen flow...and I don't know why...anyone can help? Reason? I can twist completely open or closed and nothing happens to affect oxygen flow to torch...torch is completely open once tank is turned on. BOTH gauges show pressure soon as tank is opened up.

I really enjoyed my experience using the mig welder at work today (other than the burn I mention in another thread) and decided I'd like to get one for my shop. So here I am asking for suggestions as to which kind to get. To help you guys answer my question I'll tell you what I plan to use it for. I will use it for general welding projects such as making fixtures and jigs for different tasks. I also intend to use it for tack welding billets for pattern welding. I would like to have the ability to weld up to 1/2" plate and occasionally thicker sheet such as 16 gauge. I don't want to go to the store and buy one and turn around in a few months and have to get a ne…

I bought a Lincoln 140 HD Weld Pak. Using flux core wire, not gas rig. The wire feeds thru just fine, np... but there seems to be no arc.. no current. I have it all set up as per the instructions, even went online and watched a video or two to make sure I haven't missed anything. I don't understand, I returned the 125HD for the same reason. The tech said it was a bad gun. I cant be that unlucky to have two different models with bad guns? Anyone else run into this problem?

One of the companies I work with is cleaning out their maintenance department and they offered to give me a very lightly used torch setup. It doesn't have the tanks or torch tip but everything else looks to be in very good condition. It has two regulators, very long hoses, two flashback arrestors, goggles, large cart, and two different style torches. The whole setup has been sitting in their storage room for several years. It sounds like it was only used a handfull of times at the most. I believe it was originally connected to oxy/acetalyne tanks. I am hoping to use it with oxy/propane. I know that I need to get a propane tip for the torch but are there other co…

Ended up in my truck. Guys dad bought it used in 1958 then used it for the next 50 years. Was made by Miller for Airco

Do tig electrodes have to be straight to work? Or can you put a bend in them and weld into corners to form a fillet if there is a confined space? No idea, no application, no project, just a wild thought.

Good Morning all, I found this to be interesting so I thought I would share. I am working on turning a chunk of 4 1/2" by 1 1/2" class II "hook type" forklift tine in to a post anvil. The weld that was used to hold the top mounting hook on the tine looks to be about 1/5" to 5/16" penetration on all sides except the part for the pin that held the fork in place. I can tell you that this weld did not give up without a fight!