Welding 8mm mild steel rods

[Popcorn]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Electric-MMA%E2%80%91200Amp-Inverter-20%E2%80%91200Amp-Portable/dp/B099RFYHR7/ref=dp_prsubs_3?pd_rd_w=MgD6C&content-id=amzn1.sym.17be5889-394b-42e1-8495-d13e5e02cfd1&pf_rd_p=17be5889-394b-42e1-8495-d13e5e02cfd1&pf_rd_r=GNCB17Y74G33PZEB6E69&pd_rd_wg=wBfWY&pd_rd_r=161e45ab-2bdd-4f64-973a-cf219a215604&pd_rd_i=B099RFYHR7&psc=1

 

[bourbon]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Electric-MMA%E2%80%91200Amp-Inverter-20%E2%80%91200Amp-Portable/dp/B099RFYHR7/ref=dp_prsubs_3?pd_rd_w=MgD6C&content-id=amzn1.sym.17be5889-394b-42e1-8495-d13e5e02cfd1&pf_rd_p=17be5889-394b-42e1-8495-d13e5e02cfd1&pf_rd_r=GNCB17Y74G33PZEB6E69&pd_rd_wg=wBfWY&pd_rd_r=161e45ab-2bdd-4f64-973a-cf219a215604&pd_rd_i=B099RFYHR7&psc=1

out of respect for our forum sponsor, try to link to something they sell. I work for Machine Mart, we sell lots of welders,

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

For what you are doing you need a stick welder that will easily start and restart a rod over and over again for a beginner.

In that regard the Paton I have has been excellent...plenty of others out there too of course. Some of the cheaper machines "will weld" but you could be there for ages getting it to strike up and thats will get very boring very quickly especially if you are holding things in place with one hand and welding with the other.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

The paton I have is the 250A pro power supply...out the box it's a stick welder....but you can also buy a wire feed and turn it into a mig too....runs on13A no problem.

I haven't tried the mig yet but the stick is excellent...I used it today to do 4 short welds...started first tap each time. Not the cheapest machine...but not crazy money either.

I have this one...they also do a 160A version thats cheaper but I figured a 250A mig might come in handy.

Paton PRO 250 MMA Welder

Key Features 6MM maximum electrode capacity IP33 protection class for increased reliability in dusty and humid environments Pulse MMA Capable of pulse DC TIG and MIG with optional accessories Made in Europe 5 year warranty

www.weldingsuppliesdirect.co.uk

 

[rachflying]

The paton I have is the 250A pro power supply...out the box it's a stick welder....but you can also buy a wire feed and turn it into a mig too....runs on13A no problem.

I haven't tried the mig yet but the stick is excellent...I used it today to do 4 short welds...started first tap each time. Not the cheapest machine...but not crazy money either.

I have this one...they also do a 160A version thats cheaper but I figured a 250A mig might come in handy.

Paton PRO 250 MMA Welder

Key Features 6MM maximum electrode capacity IP33 protection class for increased reliability in dusty and humid environments Pulse MMA Capable of pulse DC TIG and MIG with optional accessories Made in Europe 5 year warranty

www.weldingsuppliesdirect.co.uk

Thank you, do I need to buy mild steel rods if I’m welding mild steel together?

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Rods is a whole new thread of discussions...prepare yourself

I've just stuck with 6013 from a descent maker...bohler is what I tend to use. I'm no expert...just hobby stuff.

 

[James1979]

Sort of been following but not really had much to add of worthiness, but I couldn’t see your budget.

Maybe I missed it. That will have a bit of an effect on the advice.

Those little ‘handbag’ inverters will do what you need and are actually very good. I bought one many years ago for monkeying about on feed bins on a pig farm and I still have it.

Avoid the ESAB / Miller one. I’ve seen a lot of them dead in workshops. I have the thermal arc. I’ve borrowed the parweld. All much of a muchness except mine will run 7018 rods (low hydrogen for rusty crap) whereas my pals parweld will not.

It did occur to me that as you are welding round bar at intersections, you are not welding 8mm. Ie, you’ve got two radii at 90 degrees so you need far less oomph than if you were doing butt welds on 8mm plate.

There is a knack to holding workpiece, rod and stinger and balancing yourself but to be honest why make it hard - get a few decent clamps. Don’t have to spend loads for your application.

Edit. Not sure where you are in relation to suppliers but may be an idea to go and see some stuff in person? a few have the facilities for you to try stuff first.

 

[Cobbler]

E6013 will be all you need, they are a general purpose sort of rod. As PG2 above says get decent ones, there are rods & rods, good ones cost …. For a good reason.

 

[Mart63]

I bought a Static Arc 200 amp welder a while back for less than £75. Came with a 3 pin plug and burns 2.5 6013 rods pretty well. It'll probably trip the breaker at over 150 amps, but I have been running 2.5 rods at about 70 - 80 amps without issues. I did try a couple of 3.2 rods at 120 amps and again no issues.

 

[Prajna]

7018 rods (low hydrogen for rusty crap)

For rusty crap you're better off with 6013s. 7018 for a stronger joint. Or at least that is what I've seen.

 

[James1979]

For rusty crap you're better off with 6013s. 7018 for a stronger joint. Or at least that is what I've seen.

7018s are better for a stronger weld granted, but they seem to start and restart better on rusty quarry crap, which I used to do plenty.

I never had as much joy with 6013s

OP - you’ll be fine with either for your armatures.

What are they anyway? Sculptures I’m guessing?

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

What are they anyway? Sculptures I’m guessing?

This where we find out they're structural steel cages used to support bridges

 

[James1979]

This where we find out they're structural steel cages used to support bridges

Main reason I mentioned budget is that if she’s got funds for a mig then it’ll be a lot quicker if there’s loads of these ‘whatever’s’ to do.

Arc will suffice and get you going but if I’ve a load of production type bits to stick together I’ll reach for the mig every time.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Yup...the Paton is good for that scenario...start with stick and then bolt on their wire feed as/when the funds allow to go mig.

I stick welded a stair rail...it was very slow going...mig is definitely quicker.

 

[chunkolini]

I used a clarke 130 amp Mig welder on this for years, more than enough power and leaves a nice clean tidy weld that does not need dressing or grinding.
Runs happily on a 13amp plug as did my 180 amp Butters Mig
These are made of cold bent 8mm mild steel bar I prefer top use the black finish stuff as its easier to form than bright cold rolled and a lot cheaper.
With practice you can radius the welds off as in the close up photo, just make a couple of passes close in and twist your wrist almost as though you are using a pallet knife with clay. Hard to describe.; easy to do

 

[premmington]

7018s are better for a stronger weld granted, but they seem to start and restart better on rusty quarry crap, which I used to do plenty.

I never had as much joy with 6013s

OP - you’ll be fine with either for your armatures.

What are they anyway? Sculptures I’m guessing?

I struggle with 6013's as well - slag running everywhere - only possible plus with them is they will light up with real low OCV.

 

[rachflying]

7018s are better for a stronger weld granted, but they seem to start and restart better on rusty quarry crap, which I used to do plenty.

I never had as much joy with 6013s

OP - you’ll be fine with either for your armatures.

What are they anyway? Sculptures I’m guessing?

I’m a willow sculptor; this one isn’t finished but you get the idea. I want to go bigger so I need to learn to weld armatures

 

[James1979]

I’m a willow sculptor; this one isn’t finished but you get the idea. I want to go bigger so I need to learn to weld armatures

View attachment 384099

Will that grow?

 

[rachflying]

I used a clarke 130 amp Mig welder on this for years, more than enough power and leaves a nice clean tidy weld that does not need dressing or grinding.
Runs happily on a 13amp plug as did my 180 amp Butters Mig
These are made of cold bent 8mm mild steel bar I prefer top use the black finish stuff as its easier to form than bright cold rolled and a lot cheaper.
With practice you can radius the welds off as in the close up photo, just make a couple of passes close in and twist your wrist almost as though you are using a pallet knife with clay. Hard to describe.; easy to do

View attachment 384053 View attachment 384054

Thank you, it’s good to see the welds up close and I understand what you mean

 

[rachflying]

Will that grow?

No it’s not living willow, it’s dried Black Maul but some people do make them so they’ll grow