Best method to weld 6 mm mild steel bar

[ardwood.com]

Hi guys.

I work with wood and metal and I am making a project using 6mm mild steel bar. To give an idea it may end up like a spiders web.

I wish to weld the bar in different configurations ie. a tee shape Y shape a v shape etc.

I have an old arc welder buzz box which works well enough when I get it going.

After a discussion with a friend we came up with the idea of a scratch plate to get the arc going then move on to the joint. Works a bit, but not always practical.

An ideal situation would be to use what I already have as I like it well enough but sticking is a problem and if I turn up the amps to get around this it can blow holes or eat to far into the end of the 6 mm bar leaving an etched effect weld.

have tried pre heating the rods in a slow oven and I use a very heavy blue, arctic cable, extension lead to supply power to the machine.

I have thought of buying an inverter stick welder but is that ideal for this type of job.

Any help would be very welcome.

Cheers Alan

 

[ardwood.com]

Sorry by the way if I have put this in the wrong section.

 

[rich r]

What diameter and make of rods are you using? You might find that simply changing to a different brand helps.

Sticking is often due to damp rods, but you've hopefully eliminated that by baking them. But if they're old, degraded or simply poor quality, you'll still have issues.

For 6mm steel, 2.5mm rods are a good choice, at around 80A. Also make sure the steel is clean and smooth - fine ridges from coarse grinding or rust can cause a rod to stick too.

 

[ardwood.com]

I have been using 2.5 mm rods which where bought from toolstation. Would better rods be worth a purchase.

 

[Country Joe]

I have been using 2.5 mm rods which where bought from toolstation. Would better rods be worth a purchase.

Yes, definitely! Any of the known brand rods would be better - by a long chalk.
CJ

 

[Tigman]

Inverters are DC , it is easier to strike an arc and keep it going with DC , may be worth getting one if your having trouble !

 

[outofthefire]

Cut your rods down at least in half, I find its easier to spark up a short rod.

 

[rich r]

Definitely go for something better than Toolstation ones.

At the very least, the SIFtrode ones sold by Weldequip (link to shop at top of the page) are good. But for a little more money you can get Murex and the like which are noticeably better still.

I'm actually managing OK with Aldi rods for practising, no problems striking and the slag peels off. But leave a rod out in the garage overnight, and it'll stick and the flux will fall off. But for proper repairs I'm using SIFtrodes.

 

[pondman]

I weld spiderwebs up for a living and I would hate to do it with an arc machine. However if you're only doing a small amount of them it would not be worth spending the money on a new MIG. If you are going to be doing a loads maybe you should look at investing in a MIG welder because that would certainly make your life a lot easier!

Good luck!

 

[ardwood.com]

Thanks for the replys guys. I would like to buy some murex rods or another good brand before I go an further. Can anyone give me a link to enable me to buy some rods online for a reasonable price. Does anyone have a good source for the white box rods that are from a reliable manufacturer.

I am afraid I am not in the market to buy a mig at the mo. Wish I could though.

Cheers Alan

 

[Paul.]

There are some electrodes in the for sale section at the moment, the 2.5 fincords would be ideal for what you are doing and will run very nicely on a buzzbox, http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=34365

some siftrode 6013 from the forum shop will be ok as well http://www.weldequip.com/siftrode-6013.htm

Alternatively find a local trade welding supplier and buy some boc everyday 6013 or similar,

 

[Tigman]

Thanks for the replys guys. I would like to buy some murex rods or another good brand before I go an further. Can anyone give me a link to enable me to buy some rods online for a reasonable price. Does anyone have a good source for the white box rods that are from a reliable manufacturer.

I am afraid I am not in the market to buy a mig at the mo. Wish I could though.

Cheers Alan

Try United Welding in Hitchin , White Box Rods very reasonable !

 

[shirazman]

You can try all sorts of rods but you will never get any to do what you want every time. Inverters can be worse to get a good arc strike. I used to stick eld every day for 12 years using a 450 amp old oiled cooled welder from the ship yards and that was about the best for a quick strike but whatever you use you need a strike plate or arc it further up the work and drag it down. Heat the rods to manufacturers instructions. Clean spatter/strikes with a flap disc

 

[ardwood.com]

Thanks for the replys. All very helpful. Yesterday I went to see Wallace and bought some rods from him, he was very helpful and invited me to bring my welder. We had quite a lot of success all and all. I think I will stick with the buzz box and try some more rods and practice. I'll also use a strike plate to help me along