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Welding

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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 03:10 PM
  #1  
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Default Welding

I was recently taught the basics of welding and would like to mess around with one. If I were to buy this...

http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US...dgkk.0&MID=9876

could I weld things such as intercooler or exhaust piping? I would take a class but its just not plausible with my current schedule. Any advice/pointers would be appreciated
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 08:09 PM
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Your link doesn't work. It shows a bunch of outdoor grills.
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 10:24 PM
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Originally Posted by HunterEz,Feb 8 2006, 11:09 PM
Your link doesn't work. It shows a bunch of outdoor grills.
I'm not sure an outdoor grill generates the kind of heat necessary for welding stainless steel
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Old Feb 9, 2006 | 12:19 AM
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A "general" rule of thumb is for steel/stainless steel is to take the amperage output, double it and divide by 1000 to determine the thickness of metal it can weld.

Example: 75 amp output can weld up to 0.150" thick steel
100 amp output can weld up to 0.200" thick steel


For aluminum take the amperage output and divide by 1000.

Example: 75 amp output can weld up to 0.075" thick aluminum
100 amp output can weld up to 0.100" thick aluminum


Skill level required for welding steel (on a scale of 1 to 10) after a couple of hours practicing on scrap material is about a 5.

Skill level required for welding aluminum after a couple of hours practicing on scrap material is about an 8.5.

Add 2 points to the skill level value if your trying to weld thin material (less than 0.0625"). That makes aluminum welding of thin material a 10.5 on a scale of 1 to 10.

Most welding machines come with an instruction book and a video to help out the beginner.

After you practice on some scrap material, take the material and cut it through the weld joint. Examine the weld penetration, as indicated by the pronounced color difference between the weld filler material and the original material. The weld filler material should penetrate at least 30% depth of the original/parent material. If you get good penetration you're "good to go", if not keep practicing until you get sufficient penetration.

Welding, like sex, is an acquired skill. The more you practice the better you'll get.
Note: Practicing sex alone won't make you any better, but practicing welding alone will.

I have a friend who can cut a cola-cola can in two and weld it back together. Skill level required 100.
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Old Feb 9, 2006 | 05:49 AM
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Thanks a lot for the info. Sorry about the link, for some reason it wont let me link to the product page. Its basically just a budget gasless MIG welder (30-100 amps)so judging by your tips it should be sufficient.
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Old Feb 9, 2006 | 05:54 AM
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yes you can weld those parts...


I took a welding class about 6 years ago took me several hours to get it down on the first day...but i'm kinda smart that way...most people it took them a couple of days to get it down so i suggest you practice ALOT before you start as you don't want to burn a hole on those parts...

Peace
David
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