SpeedCoach
Well-known member
Thanks to all those who contributed to my inquiry about welder recommendations.....as I said in that thread, I figure a 110 unit is about all I'll ever need......but the 220-only guys did give me something to think about...so I met you in the middle 
(sorry for the crappy cell phone pic - this shot was an afterthought)
Mostly did some reading about her today....but got far enough along to fire her up and start practicing (and boy do I need practice!). First thing I was happy about, I didnt trip the breaker for the garage
. Not that I had any reason to think I would....but it was in the back of my mind.
Nothing will humble a guy like trying to learn a new skill......So take it easy on me - here are the first attempts on a piece of scrap i had laying around.
Picture 1 - the very first few pulls. just trying some short runs. lots of burn through.
Picture 2 - a couple of attempts here....still burned through as you can see. The spots that didnt blow through though may be some of the best i had.
Picture 3 - adjusting voltage a bit (auto set was on - but i dialed the heat down a bit). Also trying my hand at a longer bead. There are 2 attempts here, though they kind of blended together as I worked from left to right...seemed to get better as i went.
Picture 4 - not trying to join anything here....just trying to get used to my torch speed....I was also (obviously
) not even thinking about making a straight line ...just trying to watch the puddle and get a feel for how to move the torch.
So there you go - public humiliation at me trying to learn this thing
Some thoughts:
I need better gloves! the old ones I have feel like catchers mits and it was hard to get a feel for the trigger with them.
My cheapo helmet could use an upgrade. but the problem with that may have been my unsteadiness - partially because my "table" was the piece clamped in a vise at kind of an awkward angle. I also adjusted the helmet after the fact to fall into a better position than it was when I was practicing. I can see how the auto helmets would be a nice addition.
(sorry for the crappy cell phone pic - this shot was an afterthought)
Mostly did some reading about her today....but got far enough along to fire her up and start practicing (and boy do I need practice!). First thing I was happy about, I didnt trip the breaker for the garage
. Not that I had any reason to think I would....but it was in the back of my mind.Nothing will humble a guy like trying to learn a new skill......So take it easy on me
- here are the first attempts on a piece of scrap i had laying around.Picture 1 - the very first few pulls. just trying some short runs. lots of burn through.
Picture 2 - a couple of attempts here....still burned through as you can see. The spots that didnt blow through though may be some of the best i had.
Picture 3 - adjusting voltage a bit (auto set was on - but i dialed the heat down a bit). Also trying my hand at a longer bead. There are 2 attempts here, though they kind of blended together as I worked from left to right...seemed to get better as i went.
Picture 4 - not trying to join anything here....just trying to get used to my torch speed....I was also (obviously
) not even thinking about making a straight line ...just trying to watch the puddle and get a feel for how to move the torch.
So there you go - public humiliation at me trying to learn this thing
Some thoughts:
I need better gloves! the old ones I have feel like catchers mits and it was hard to get a feel for the trigger with them.
My cheapo helmet could use an upgrade. but the problem with that may have been my unsteadiness - partially because my "table" was the piece clamped in a vise at kind of an awkward angle. I also adjusted the helmet after the fact to fall into a better position than it was when I was practicing. I can see how the auto helmets would be a nice addition.