[Gearcraft]

So... I just started learning how to weld this past few weeks. I've been using the welder at my school's wood shop and decided to get a cheap one for home use.

Got a harbor freight 90 amp welder and an auto darkening mask.

Any of you guys weld at work/home? What welders do you guys have and why?

I'd appreciate any tips and tricks that you guys are willing to share.

BTW, I'm attempting to build a GT5 cockpit out of mild steel as a project for my advance structures class instead of building a rocket with the rest of the class. the frame will house a logitech G25 and a bucket seat.

thanks in advanced to the CSB commenters. (if anyone bothers)

[Express]

millers arc/tig

[BrokenVert]

You used a welding setup in woodshop?


Seems fishy to me...

[Gearcraft]

Originally Posted by express705

millers arc/tig

the one that i use at school is a miller flux welder. i like it but cannot afford it right now. forgot the model. how do you like yours?

how long have you been welding?

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

You used a welding setup in woodshop?


Seems fishy to me...

lol. most of the time lots of people including myself will call it a wood shop because the majority of the tools are for wood. they also have a few welders, some metal tools, a CNC, and a laser cutter.

maybe ill start calling it a model shop cause that's where we build our scale models for architecture.

[BrokenVert]

I guess I should be more serious.

Ive been welding for the better part of 10 years. But I honestly don't remember the brand of my equipment. I never looked! They were a gift from the guy who taught me how to weld at my dads jobsite back in the day.

Personally, I don't trust autodarkening. I just put lift my mask when I'm not actively welding and then pull it back down when it's time to go. I always fear that the auto ones won't darken, you know?

[Express]

i just wear sunglasses

[jpsum]

chuck Norris needs no welding helmet. He looks directly at the arc.

[bmw325i]

Much easier with autodarkening although I lift up my helmet when not welding it's much easier to start welding in the right spot when you can see what your doing.

[Mr Tonka]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

I guess I should be more serious.

Ive been welding for the better part of 10 years. But I honestly don't remember the brand of my equipment. I never looked! They were a gift from the guy who taught me how to weld at my dads jobsite back in the day.

Personally, I don't trust autodarkening. I just put lift my mask when I'm not actively welding and then pull it back down when it's time to go. I always fear that the auto ones won't darken, you know?

I test mine with sunlight prior to welding every time. haha

[Gearcraft]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

I guess I should be more serious.

Ive been welding for the better part of 10 years. But I honestly don't remember the brand of my equipment. I never looked! They were a gift from the guy who taught me how to weld at my dads jobsite back in the day.

Personally, I don't trust autodarkening. I just put lift my mask when I'm not actively welding and then pull it back down when it's time to go. I always fear that the auto ones won't darken, you know?

my instructor got a cheap one from home depot and he said it failed on him and now he has some sort of blind spot if i remember what he said correctly. i dont know how long ago was this and how long he had used the mask though. i use a cheap one with two sensors and a replaceable back up battery. and i test it by turning to a bright spot (sunshine, light source) or waving my hand on it and it always works.

Originally Posted by jpsum

chuck Norris needs no welding helmet. He looks directly at the arc.

i lolled at this one... he doesnt plug the welder... he just thinks about it and the welder creates an arc.

Originally Posted by bmw325i

Much easier with autodarkening although I lift up my helmet when not welding it's much easier to start welding in the right spot when you can see what your doing.

yup auto darkening masks are really convenient. hats off to the old school pro welders though. i just found a new respect for them for being able to do what they do neatly and quickly.

Originally Posted by MP0WER

I test mine with sunlight prior to welding every time. haha

+1

Originally Posted by express705

i just wear sunglasses

haha. welding in style like a boss. if you really were to use sunglasses i wonder how many layers you'd need.

[jpsum]

Originally Posted by MP0WER

I test mine with sunlight prior to welding every time. haha

What if you have to weld at night?

[Mr Tonka]

Originally Posted by jpsum

What if you have to weld at night?

It's already dark out, don't need a shield at night. duh....