stixman55

:o Looks like I thought I was going to weld Wrought Iron... but a few of you more learned ones feel that what I'm trying to do is weld CHEAP CHINEESE PIG IRON. Well, I think thats what I am trying to do as well. SOooooo... the question now stands like this... I've got a Lincoln 180 Mig welder and I ( that is...the wife) wanna do a project with the stuff. It's about 1/4 inch thick (where I will do the weld). Any suggestions here. Dont really wanna tap and die here 'cause it's going to be part of a coffee table. Would it be better to braze it? HELP! I aint really stupid.. I just don't know any better.

:confused:So, anybody know how to weld Cheap Chineese Pig Iron with a mig welder? It's a cosmetic thing that were doing and drilling and taping would only be a last resort. I know someone has done this. Perhaps I could braze it?:confused: Any ideas will certainly be apriciated... hell, I know I'm in the right place for this one.:D

Cheap Chinese crap but what isnt when it comes from China. So to be honest I really dont know what it may be made of. It will crack if I hit it hard enough. and it's not too heavy. Here is what the stuff looks like. Really, any advice will be apriciated, I just need to get an Idea where I'm starting with my setup for a weld.

Very NICE rose! I am impressed! Tell me (in detail) how you did this... My wife done seen it and you know what that means... Yeah, you guessed it... she wants to MAKE one her self! Thats right... she likes to weld too. She loves to do what I do and I dont know why ... all I know is this... she wants to make one. Would you be so kind ( I know I'm a stranger to you but I must ask just the same) to tell us how you did this? I can be reached at stixman55@yahoo.com . Thanks!

My landlord works for richmand steel (a scrap yard) here in B.C. (thats in Canada). He tells me that (if your straight) just go to the office, tell them what you want and you want to talk to a supervisor... then tell him what your doing... 9 times out of 10 you can work something out. I never have probs 'cause .. well, My landlord works at a scrapyard but in all truth... ASK AND YOU WILL RECIEVE. The trick is this... dont bull $hitt the guys and you will be suprised what happens.

THis is Beautifull. My wife and I looked at this art and were impressed. Keep on doin what it is your doin cause your makin the world beautifull with your art. Thanks for the pics!

I just want to thank all who had some input on this subject. I heard a variety of answers, most I am in agreement with. Having said this I wish to reply to the originator of this thread. THANK YOU ever so much for bringing this subject to our attention. Knowing that people like you are really out there watching (at least my back) peoples backs is such a good thing that even saying Thank You seems almost too shallow in way of showing appreciation. But this old fart will say it anyway... THANKS! There are a lot of nasty fumes out there while welding... and VENTILATION is KEY in defending your health. Respirators are sometimes cumbersome but USE THEM! They will save your life today and 20 years down the road after you've hung up your hood and goggles. Again... Thanks!

If ever I need an anvil, I'll know where to go.... that is.... if I knew where the musium was. Any clues on that one... Thanks for posting the photos.... it's always a cool thing to share!

:confused:The wife wants me to weld some wrought Iron brackets together to make some furniture. It will actually look nice when it's completed BUT before I go and screw up a bunch of brackets I need to know how to do this properly. I'm using my Lincoln 180 Mig welder. Do I use gas with this kinda welding? What kind of wire should I use?, what should I set the wire speed at and at what temp setting... The Iron is about 1/4 inch thick. This is new territory for me and could use tips before I go burning up a lot of brackets :p

Not too long ago I bought a new Lincoln 180 Mig welder for doing a bunch of hand rails at some condo units. Well, next thing I know they want me to make repairs on there AL hand rails for the decks at some of the units (a lot of the welds had cracked over the 25 years they were originaly installed). I never did Al before so I studied up on it... bought some Al to practice on (As well as a tank and some Argon gas) and now some 14 decks later.... all I got to say is I LOVE IT! They said that Al was hard... BAH! It's a little trickey at first but after a couple of welds... it's a cake walk. This is something I'm really enjoying! Been teaching the wife and my step daughter and now there hooked. Anyway...I'm SOooooo glad I took this project on, besides... its makin me a lotta pesos:p

My Daddy was a Pipe fitter so I used to watch him weld as a kid but he never let me touch his tools. I became a Union Electrician. One day the Union (local 59) put out a notice that they were going to hold there first ever welding class so I signed up the first day. Went to the 2 week class and fell in love with it (strictly stick). A few months later I was on a GM shut down and the outfit I was working for asked if anyone knew how to weld cause there were a lot of Electrical pipe racks that had to be welded up... again I voulintered. Then they asked if I could weld SS... I said sure (there was work in the paint booths), didnt have a clue how to do it but one of my Harley bubs was a welder on site and he gave me lessons on how to set my gas and etc... Away I went.. Aint looked back... I just love it. reciently bought a Lincoln mig welder and now I'm teaching my wife and daughter... they love it! Taught them both how to weld Aluminum just last week.

Thanks for the post, I checked it out and know a lot more now about them. I've been looking at them reciently and now I'm getting 1 for me and 1 for the wife as well.

If you have that TM9-2852 instruction guide on disk I'd love to get a copy. If you can... then post me a note, Thanks!

:D Just wanted to tell you that I downloaded this manual and have found it quite usefull. There is a wealth of info here. Only problem is that it's too much trouble to print it out. THanks for the manual :rolleyes:

Thanks Frosty, I'll try that next time.

I see your from Ft Wayne Ind. Been there a few times. I'm originaly out of 342 Winston-Salem NC but moved my ticcket to what was Local 59 Dallas Tx.... but a few years ago we went into recievership ... combined Dallas, Ft Worth and ammerillo and emerged as local 20. Anyway always glad to see other electricians that weild. If your an old road warrior like me... chances are we may have hit a job or two in the past cause I've Been Every Where

I also bought an Aluminum spool gun for my mig. Let me tell you this.... It's all thumbs up for this one. I have no problems with my wire feeding and weilds are smooth. I'm currently here in Canada (BC) and had to pay $268 and some change for the kit. If I was back in Texas or my other home in Wash. St. I would have payed a lot less. The kit came with a wiring harness (took about 15 min to install), gun, roll of Al wire, 5 tips and a manual in a nice plastic case. Worth EVERY CENT. Made some Al repair welds yesterday with it... NICE!

I stumbled on this site (and greatfull that I did) today. Had a paticular question in mind concerning my welding machine and when I got here... IT WAS ANSWERED! Perfect... your discussion groups are ON TARGET! I will be returning many more times. I am an electrician by trade (25 years) but I dont work as an electrician anymore. My wife and I started a home renovation company and we do re-modles now. She's a plumber so our combined trade skills plus other trade knowlage we have really helped us. I have done a bunch of welding in the past at GM during shutdowns and re-tooling but I still need to keep on learning so... here I am! :D