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Post by grumpy on Apr 27, 2007 21:25:54 GMT 10
Considerations in choosing a welding machine for the DIY er
By Grumpy
Stick welding or MMAW is one of the most common of the welding processes .MMAW is a process used worldwide that requires little in the way of specialized equipment and only a reasonable amount of training.
Stick welding machines in comparison to the other types are the cheapest to purchase.
They can be light weight and highly portable.
They process can be used outdoors and in the wind.
The process can be used to weld in all positions,flat vertical, horizontal, vertical and overhead dependent on the skill level of the operator.
Again dependent on operator skill ,MMA welds can be made up to x ray quality.
Electrodes for MMAW are available in steel, high tensile grade steel alloys ,nickel base, cast iron stainless steel and (not commonly) aluminium.
The humble stick welder requires little maintainence and can be stored away for extended periods and reused with minimal preparation.
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Post by dobre on Dec 23, 2007 19:55:32 GMT 10
Good call Grumpy, the stick welder seems to the opinion of been outdated. We all like the mig which is great but not as verstile as the stick as you explained in your thread. Even if you leave your rods out in the rain go and put them in the oven for a while ( yes, turn the oven on) this will dry out the moisture and should be suitable enough to use. They wont be perfect but it will get you out of the poo. Probally not recommended for serious work but fine for around the house projects.
dobre
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Post by grumpy on Dec 24, 2007 7:22:44 GMT 10
Out dated!
That might be the opinion of some "ground based welders".
When high quality x ray work is required at 50 meters above the ground and scaffold access is all you have that sort of mindset soon changes.
Throw in a scenario of the early hours of the morning and a howling wind and you soon realize that the old stick is still right up there.
Its is about horses for courses for sure, but don't write the stick off just yet!
Grumpy
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Post by dobre on Dec 24, 2007 8:11:46 GMT 10
Totally agree, the problem is the new young ones have rarely see a stick in the workplace and are flooded with migs. They almost always use the mig and you hand them a stick and they look at you with this what the hell is that look. You need to get out of the comfort of a work shop and into the elements and the stick will be all that you will find welders using.
It is also the cheapest way to learn to weld and most convenient and if you know someone who can stick weld ask them to teach you.
Dobre
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Post by grumpy on Dec 24, 2007 14:20:22 GMT 10
Being the rotten mongrel that I usually am, I won't let my students at the mig until they have mastered the stick in the pad weld, single, multiple fillet and butt weld joints in the flat position.
The reason is of course that they will learn nothing from their time on the mig, already being attuned to all manner of digital electrical devices that will "think" for them.
Better I say, for them to learn some elements of understanding the welding arc by using the variances of adjustable amp setting and the arc length manipulation itself.
We have our fair share of cane farmers kids and mostly they can stick weld and flux core weld as well as think for themselves.
Grumpy
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Post by dobre on Jan 4, 2008 8:26:46 GMT 10
I know at times you look at some of these inverter stick welders and wonder how something so small can give you the amps they are rated at. These machines are great for tradies to carry around with them and simply rest them over the shoulder. Perfect for climbing up ladders or cherry pickers but you will pay a price well above the transformer style but well worth it.
The transformer type still have there place in the workshop or at home and a good brand will last you for many years and at a cost that is very reasonable. Therefore chosing how and where you are going to use them is important and also determine how much you will pay. A stick welder of any description is always a handy tool to have in the shed at home and at times it will be sort after by mates as long as they replace the rods they take as well.
But nearly always they want the bloke who owns the welder to do the job for them and then that becomes thirsty work no matter how small the job might be....
Dobre
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Post by dobre on Mar 21, 2008 18:45:57 GMT 10
Hi all, not so long ago a mate of a mate was dropping hints about doing repair to his basic 6x4 trailer. As much as i like to help people i do get frustrated when you do all the work and they are not even willing to try and tackle some simple repairs. On this occasion i did help but made a point that he was going to do most of it and learn some basic welding. He agreed because he really had no choice and i was not going to waste my day doing a love job while my own jobs around the house list still remained long. After a little guidance and plan of attack we got under way. We practiced a bit of welding on scrap, cut material to length and slowly put it all together. It was not a big job in itself but my mate of a mate got put in a position to have a go himself and did some welding for the first time ( only just passable) and achieved something he thought he couldn't do. He got his hands dirty and at the end of the job had a sense of pride of what he had just done. I turned him around from a window shopper and maybe taking advantage of others to a person wanting to do more of playing around in the shed. He ended buying some small stick welder and on weekends practices welding and joining pieces of scrap that had lying around. Now i think to myself what have i created and the answer is a person getting the frill of learning to weld and really enjoying it. Hopefully he will get pestered to do some welding for someone and i can get back to my list of jobs.. Dobre  |
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