Thread: Advice Wanted - Novice Welder

Welcome Manic,
Re 1.6mm wall thickness. For this thickness 2.5/2.6mm diameter is better suited.
If you have not got a stack of gates to do you can pick up some ecomomical & suitable electrodes for a few bucks in a tubular pack at Bunnings if theres one nearby. Sure satincraft are a bit better but not essential.Very expensive though.
You need enough amps to run the electrode but not so many that you are getting burn thoughs. If it’s a transformer type welder (and it will help to tells us the brand and model) say 80 -90 amps and a tad lower if it’s an inverter.
The second part of the problem is the speed needed to avoid burning a hole ( the slower the electrode travel speed - the deeper the peno-you DON"T want this ) meaning you shall need to go very quickly across your join.

If the surface has gal on it scuff it off with a grinder first -It will flare and affect your arc as well as making you ill or very sick. Try some practice on your off cuts before you do any more welding.

If you can incline the welding bead-with the start higher and the finish lower and you can power down the joint with out making a hole after a bit of practice. I have recommended this method to others on this forum and I believe they have had reasonable success.

The electrode needs to be 30 degrees or so above the flat surface of the RHS.

Cheers
grahame

Hi Grahame,

Many Thanks for your advice.

The welder is an Ozito 140amp. Its only a small unit.
I'll pop down to Bunnings in the morning and get some new electrodes to try and yes, I'll practice lots first. I will make sure I try out the technique you suggested ... I certainly couldn't do any worse than my current practice efforts. I'll let you know how I get on.

Many Thanks,
Anthony

Hi Manic
Heres a link to a past post that refers to welding 1.6mm it has graphic in it that should help a bit.

https://www.woodworkforums.com/attach...1.6mm-jpeg.jpg

Grahame

Hi Grahame,

Just a quick update.

I went to Bunnings today, picked up some 2.5mm Ozito electrodes ( cost me $5.77 for a pack of 25 ... Bargain !! ) and wound the amps down to about 70 and it works a treat. I tried your recommended technique and I am welding much much better. Still not a pro but I am even finding that I am able to repair my mistakes. I tried welding a couple of offcuts together and blew a hole in one of the pieces and bugger me, I was even able to fix it by just going bit by bit around the hole and building it up. The way things are going I might even be able to make my gate frames without them falling apart !

Thanks heaps for your advice, its made a massive difference.

Cheers,
Anthony