Arc welder problems

[tony_cliffy]

I have a wimpy 110V arc welder that works well enough to make simple welds on smaller materials. It even works on rebar and pipe enough that I can make wreck anchors and other doo-dads I use with the boat. But even though it says it uses 1/16 and 3/32 rods I can only get the 1/16 rods to lay down a bead. The 3/32 rods just stick and stick and stick. <br /><br />The welder has an adjustment to crank up the power and I have it cranked up all the way to the maximum setting for 3/32 rods - it still sticks. I'm using brand new, fresh rods - whats the deal? I guess I can live with just the 1/16 rods but I know the 3/32 would give me a heavier bead and a stronger weld if I could get it to arc properly. <br /><br />Thanks for any advice other than 'get a real arc welder'!!!

 

[JB]

Re: Arc welder problems

Moving to Non-Boating Technical.

 

[rwise]

Re: Arc welder problems

Maybe low input voltage (115-120), under sized power cord (over length), bad connections/frayed welding leads, I am not a welder but heres a few things to check. Some may want to know more info on your welder!

 

[ndemge]

Re: Arc welder problems

I used my Father in laws 110v mig a while back, had HORRIBLE problems, gettin zero penetration... was a 50' wimpy extension cord. get a BEEFY cord, or make one and you might be surprised at what you can do.<br /><br />...one thing to think of.....<br /><br />Say you have a circuit rated at 20 amps and then end of 12 gauge wire, 50 feet from the breaker box, then you add more 12 gauge wire... voltage drop will get ya

 

[oddjob]

Re: Arc welder problems

1/16 is all your gonna get with something that runs off or 110v. Try 1/8", but I doubt it will either. Just not enought amperage there. You need a least a 240V, 50-60amp, power buzz box to do just about all a small shop welder needs to do up to 3/32. You can sometimes find them new for around 160.00 w/ a 80% duty cycle. wouldnt be a name brand though.<br /><br />also make sure your rods are dry...keep them in the house or somewhere dry and warm.<br /><br />make sure the rods are not for DC current..6010 I believe..been awhile for me , I hope this helps..

 

[imported_miked]

Re: Arc welder problems

oddjob is correct, be sure you are using 6010,which is also known as 5-P. I've never used a 110v stick machine (I'm a welder by trade,20 + yrs.). You can get 110v squirt guns (MIG) fairly cheap these days. If you prefer stick, you need a 220v power source. IMHO, a 110v wire feeder will do almost anything a 220v stick machine will do. Hope this helps, Mike

 

[jimr]

Re: Arc welder problems

i read somewhere that if you use a 110 stick welder to heat up your welding rods in a toaster oven don't know if it was to dry them out or if it helped

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: Arc welder problems

jimr is correct also. We had a little Harbor Freight crackerbox wannabe that we carried to the track with us. We would set the rods on the intake and let them warm up. We would also preheat the metal with a little torch set we carried. It made it possiblle to weld up to about 1/4 on an inch thick. It was troublesome as all get out but it was what we had so it had to work.

 

[scuttlebutt]

Re: Arc welder problems

Preheat the metal with a torch is the trick. Good tip Kenneth it works great. I have done half inch thick material with a 110 using 3/32 rod with LOADS of torched supplied pre heat

 

[ehenry]

Re: Arc welder problems

I know it says to use 1/16 and 3/32 rods, BUT what rods are you using? 6011, 6013, 7018??? That is where you'll find a huge difference. With a 110v cracker box you need to be using a 6011 or a 6013 low hydrogen rod in the size that your welder reccomends. If you want to use a something like a 7018 you'll need to switch your leads around.<br /><br />MIke D is right on in what he's tellin ya.

 

[oddjob]

Re: Arc welder problems

scuttleBut has a good idea also...I should have thought of it also..