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new to welding, what to use for this project?
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Posted by keithruck (My Page) on Sun, Aug 16, 09 at 2:13
| I haven't welded, but I'm very handy. I need to weld pieces of angle iron (steel/iron bed frames) into a 3-D arbor that can hold some heavy plant growth.
I don't have any other projects, or need to weld anything else- just a bunch of these bed frames. Since they will be outside, I don't need the welds to be pretty, just functional. I'd like to find out what the most cost-effective welding options would be.
I don't have a 220 outlet, and I don't have any high-amp circuits, so I'm assuming I need to either go with gas, or wire up a new circuit first?
Has anyone used the 115 Volt Spot Welder from Harbor Freight- would it be sufficient for a project like this?
Thanks!
Keith |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: new to welding, what to use for this project?
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| I'm not a real welder, but I do a reasonable amount of welding. Gas or electric you will probably to practice a little. If you don't care about looks or some warping, due to heat, I think gas would be the easiest to get right on the first try. Maybe you can rent a gas rig. I know you said that you don't intend to do any more welding, but you may find additional opportunities. I find my wire feed and torches to be indispensable for general maintenance. |
RE: new to welding, what to use for this project?
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| "I don't have any other projects, or need to weld anything else- just a bunch of these bed frames." Be advised that bed frames are often re-rolled railroad iron and/or a medium carbon alloy. Which means any stressed joint can crack if improperly done. To stick weld, use a low hydrogen rod, i.e.7018 Gas torch welding has a wide HAZ and slow heating/cooling, so any mild steel filler can be used. Pre-heat would be advised with a 115V mig. |
RE: new to welding, what to use for this project?
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In welding school they provided all the material and everything welded up nicely. Out on my own I settled on bed frame as a source of inexpensive raw material for my first bracket project. I cut and mitered all the angles, laid down picture perfect beads, and was startled to hear each one go "ping" while it cooled. The "ping" was accompanied by the appearance of a crack running right down the middle of the weld bead.
Alphonse's caution about the source of material for bed frames should be heeded.
My suggestion would be to rent a wire feed welder and use flux cored wire. MIG, or Flux Cor welding goes much faster than gas welding, and the work piece gets welded in much less time, Causing less localized stress from thermal expansion.
You might also consider drilling holes and assembling with 5/16" nuts and bolts. |
RE: new to welding, what to use for this project?
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| I had this happen today while stick welding thin square tube to heavy gauge sheet metal. All my tacks cracked right away. I just kept chipping and wire brushing them and making multiple passes till they held. Should I have used 7018s? |
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