Newbie Alert

[Zsx]

Hi Guys and Gals

New to stick welding well new to welding full stop haha

Spent many hours lurking on this forum as well as watching Lance & Jody on Youtube to learn about the process

I purchased an R tech Pro Arc 175 recently and Oerlikon & Bohler electrodes from HIS Ltd but its been a week since I placed the order and no sign of the delivery after a quick phone call I was assured delivery by Tuesday latest.

Having all the gear including all necessary PPE etc but no electrodes I ran out to Toolstation to pick up some 2.5mm 6013s I know the quality isnt the best but I just wanted a play with the new toy

So I set the machine to 75 amps with the 2.5mm 6013s on 6mm flat plate

This is my first ever attempt no laughing at the back please

Started on the top left then some random areas on the plate before deciding on working from bottom to top

Not the best results but for my first go I was well chuffed

 

[cumbriasteve]

Welcome to the forum and certainly no laughing from me, for first welds you have done great.

 

[addjunkie]

I agree my first welds were far far worse than that.

 

[Shedendman]

Welcome,i wont even show my first one's on here,the good thing is you've done some homework first then gave it a go,you'll hear this saying a lot on here
Practice Practice Practice

 

[Zsx]

Thank you for the kind words, I will certainly keep practising my plan is to flip the 6mm plate around which now resembles a banana and continue with the beads perhaps increasing the amperage to say 80 to see what effect this has

 

[Richard.]

Looks a decent first try out.
You need to keep things consistent and flowing. So two hands on the stinger and as your dragging the rod back, keep feeding it in. Silky smooth and progressive. No sharp abrupt movements as they show up on the weld.
The highs and lows on your runs represent areas where youve filled and missed, so keep your arc length and travel speed all the same and you'll see a huge difference in quality.
Nice job keep practicing.

 

[Zsx]

Thanks Richard I will keep practicing

So on to todays unholy efforts behold the splattery goodness

I set the machine to 80 amps again working from bottom to top the 6mm plate is 335 x 195

Slowed down in the top half to see what happens looks better

 

[cumbriasteve]

Looking good, you can see the one's that are 'right' and it's all down to how steady you are with the rod and that comes with practice.

Butt and fillet welds next to make it interesting, as long as you don't tell us the practice is so you can weld your rusty car all will be good I am sure.

 

[Zsx]

No rusty car repairs but welding is a good skill to have I plan on making a motorcycle ground/wall anchor for my Ninja and perhaps a free standing pull up bar

 

[lionleg]

You have made a decent start mate. You will also notice a difference when you get your decent rods , they are much easier to use.

 

[backpurge]

A good start, you are doing exactly the right thing, ploughing in rod after rod to get the feel for it, far too many people try to run before they can walk, keep at it, it might get a bit boring at times but it will pay dividends in the long run

 

[Zsx]

Thanks guys the rods turned up from HIS today but as I dont have a garage, my only option is to weld outside and the weathers not playing ball today.

I must be weird as I really enjoy just laying beads its not boring at all, theres no rush the main goal at the moment is to try and achieve a reliable technique and that will only come through practice

Thanks for all the help and advice

 

[backpurge]

Dead right attitude

 

[Richard.]

Dead right attitude

Telling me!
How many posts have you read where the first ever run is an attempt at 1mm tube to tube followed by the question .................... What am I doing wrong.
I've seen a quite a few.