Upside down !

Topic: Upside down ! (Read 1442 times) previous topic - next topic

Upside down !

April 29, 2007, 05:26:11 PM

I must say that first I am an amateur, but welding upside down sucks ! PERIOD !

Probably the fact that I have a cheap Harbor Freight Flux Core 90 amp job isnt helping my cause. But hey this is the one and only time I plan on Having to use it. At least I hope so. rust !

I seem to be able to run a nice bead when I am on the bench in the vise, but it seems I just cant position myself to see anything when I am lying on the floor so I cant get it the way I would like.

Bet when I weld in the subframes that will look like s#@% too.

Anyway "Gumby" got my Axle Damper Mount all fixed up, slipped in the nut welded on the plate thru the hole no problem. Its not going anywhere, maybe a little bondo in the burn thru holes will pretty it up. :)

Upside down !

Reply #1 – April 29, 2007, 05:36:53 PM

Pics!!!

Upside down !

Reply #2 – April 29, 2007, 10:04:09 PM

I gotta agree, welding upside down sucks. I've got a flux core welder too (Lincoln Mig Pack 10 or something like that), and the ed thing spatters and sparks like hell. I can't say how many holes I burned into my clothes (and myself) when welding my sfc's in...

Upside down !

Reply #3 – April 30, 2007, 03:33:46 AM

it sucks trying to make pretty welds with a flux core welder.

Upside down !

Reply #4 – April 30, 2007, 06:22:27 AM

waite till you get hot slag in your ear lol...

Upside down !

Reply #5 – April 30, 2007, 11:13:22 AM

for thinner metal i always let about 2 full inches of wire lead out , this helps reduce the current and splatter. since i only have HI or LOW on mine with the speed adjustment, ive found that tinkering with your lenght of wire helps in control and looks.

also i have better luck with .035 wire.

another thing ive noticed is that once you stop, your screwed. These welders require you to constantly chip and wire brush or you have a lot of slag. I just stay with it for atleast 30sec intervals.

one more thing,, i noticed the welds turn out good when you Vert weld,, so try pushing instead of pulling,,yeah this is the one time you should push instead of pull:D ,, that may help a lot. Meaning,,, if you weld right handed and your beed is laying to the left then that is called "PULLING" left to right.
Switch up to "PUSHING" by starting out holding your angle and your hand the same. Your weld will be right below your hand as you start welding right to left. Dont change anything about how you hold the trigger or the angle of your hand. You will burn less holes because your beed is absorbing most of the heat.
Vert welding is the strongest structural weld possible.

If your welder has a provision for gas,, then one very important thing about these wire welders is this.......

if your welding with flux core then the ground is ground and the wire your feeding is positive.

if your using the gas,, you have to open up the welder and reverse the polarity so that your ground is positive and your wire your welding is ground.

Upside down !

Reply #6 – April 30, 2007, 12:04:47 PM

Also by pushing the bead, you can fill larger gaps without too much problem. Never used a flux core setup. I saved up my allowance to buy a Miller 175 gas welder.
Even with a autoshade helmet, It still sucks to weld laying on your back or side trying to contort to get the "Just-Right" position.

John

P.S. I've posted updated pics of my progress on my cardomain page :D

Upside down !

Reply #7 – April 30, 2007, 02:10:22 PM

I actually tend to "push" as you call it because I can see where I need the weld to go a lot better that way.

BTW if you're laying under your car welding I highly recommend buying a welding shirt. Ebay has them for a devent price, your local welding supplier (like Amerigas or a welding shop) should also have them.

I did my subframes last summer, I wore my welding gloves, a welding shirt, and a bandanna on my head...I was sweating to death but it made it a relatively painless experience.

Upside down !

Reply #8 – April 30, 2007, 06:47:12 PM

Thanks Guys for all the advice, especially "Jcassity" I will try the push or vert method. I sure am going to practice before i do some welding though.

I already have gotten some welding gloves but I am definetly getting the vest for the SFC install.

here is a pic of the welded in patch after I ground it down, picture is not that great though.

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2645682990092329140ImucDb