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Submitted via IRC for Bytram
Grind Your Welds With Pride, If That's The Way You Do It
To grind or not to grind? What a question! It all depends on what you’re really trying to show, and in the case of welded joints, I often want to prove the integrity of the weld.
Recently, I wrote a piece in which I talked about my cheap inverter welder and others like it. As part of it I did a lower-current weld on a piece of thin tube and before snapping a picture of the weld I ground it back flat. It turns out that some people prefer to see a picture of the weld bead instead — the neatness of the external appearance of the weld — to allow judgment on its quality. Oddly I believe the exact opposite, that the quality of my weld can only be judged by a closer look inside it, and it’s this point I’d like to explore.
So dear soylentils, do you even weld and if you do, do you grind your welds?
(Score: 5, Informative) by SpockLogic on Thursday October 24 2019, @12:13AM (2 children)
Yea, how hard could it be ....
A couple of years ago I noticed that some box section uprights on my 20 year old utility trailer had rusted. At the same time as a flyer from Harbor Freight arrived showing a 120v flux core welder for under $90. A bargain if ever there was one, thought I.
After reading several articles and watching a few youtube videos I was all set. The welder came with everything you need (it said) welding wire, a mask, hammer and wire brush. I bought it and a pair of welding gloves. It was very quickly evident that this is not as simple as others made it look. Holding the dark mask in one hand and the gun in the other I had no idea where the weld was going to start. Once I struck an arc it was too late however hard I tried. A friend advised me to throw the mask away and buy an auto darkening helmet. Best $40 I spent. Made all the difference in the world as now I could see what I was doing. After a little practice I cut out the rusty bits and welded in new. Beads looked OK despite a lot of splatter. Quick grind and a coat of paint and Robert is your Mothers Brother, all done.
What I know now:-
1. Buy an auto darkening helmet. They are an essential for the novice.
2. And perhaps more important. You will need/want more stuff.
I now have a welding cart, apron, 2 angle grinders with cut off wheels and grindstones, pliers, many clamps, wire brushes various and a multitude of triangular magnets to hold metal in place and a long list of other bits and pieces too long to mention. Total invested must be well over 4/5 times the initial cost. Not a lot of money but it can add up quickly.
And the total is likely to rise as I am now looking at TIG welders as beads look so much nicer ....
3. Beware, it can become addictive.
When my neighbor breaks something its "When you have a moment could you just tack this together ... "
You have been warned.
Overreacting is one thing, sticking your head up your ass hoping the problem goes away is another - edIII
(Score: 2) by ElizabethGreene on Thursday October 24 2019, @02:06AM
I had a lot of trouble seeing the puddle with both a flip-down and auto-darkening helmets. It helped me a lot to cut up an old welding jacket and attach a big flap/hood on the back of the helmet to block out ambient light. It's a night-and-day difference for me.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Reziac on Thursday October 24 2019, @03:26AM
And stay away from Tractor Supply. You think Harbor Freight has weird bargain tools you just gotta have, you ain't seen nuthin'....
And there is no Alkibiades to come back and save us from ourselves.