The Metalworking Thread

[Wilhelm]

Badass wedges. If those had a bolt on steel plate for hammering they would last a lot longer. Also that much texture will make those basically impossible to remove if the tree doesn’t tip.

Thanks!
These are prototypes, I mildly altered the milling program to address some excess post processing and I changed the texture a bit.
I guess better have a wedge stuck than have it pop out, no?!
Them getting banged up will not be much of an issue for me as I don't fell trees, those wedges will probably just help keep bucking cuts open.

rad

Thank You!

 

[64poncho]

Making part for a fixture to hold a final drive. Has a 28 3/4 inch diameter hole. Had to bore 1/2 of the hole at a time, plate is 59 5/8 square, 1 inch thick. Bolt holes are for a M30 bolt.
Got it finished today.

 

[Wilhelm]

OK, I learned something today and it is just past noon.

Stick electrodes, why do ones fire, hold a steady strong arc and melt like butter - yet others don't?!
Rutile vs Basic coating - Rutile is what the average Joe wants IMHO.

Left Rutile, right Basic, both 30+ years old electrodes been sitting on a shelf in the garage.



I can finally melt the Basic coated ones, but inverter welder 110Amps barely manages.
My 105Amp transformer stick welder can't even light the Basic ones, but melts the Rutile just fine.

I need to find "how to" info for setting up the inverter welder features, maybe then I will get a somewhat better welding behaviour with the Basic coated electrodes which I have a nearly full box of.

Little "Gorilla" did great on this first welding test.
The electrodes are 3.25mm btw.

 

[Wilhelm]

Hmm, the Basic coated electrode (right) seems to create a wider puddle than the Rutile one (left)!?



But the surface finish is nicer on the Rutile electrode bead.

 

[SimonHS]

OK, I learned something today and it is just past noon.

Stick electrodes, why do ones fire, hold a steady strong arc and melt like butter - yet others don't?!
Rutile vs Basic coating - Rutile is what the average Joe wants IMHO.

Left Rutile, right Basic, both 30+ years old electrodes been sitting on a shelf in the garage.
View attachment 457467


I can finally melt the Basic coated ones, but inverter welder 110Amps barely manages.
My 105Amp transformer stick welder can't even light the Basic ones, but melts the Rutile just fine.

I need to find "how to" info for setting up the inverter welder features, maybe then I will get a somewhat better welding behaviour with the Basic coated electrodes which I have a nearly full box of.

Little "Gorilla" did great on this first welding test.
The electrodes are 3.25mm btw.

View attachment 457476

Try drying the electrodes in a low oven for a couple of hours. They may have absorbed moisture while being stored.

 

[Wilhelm]

Turned the welders features up - WOW!!!

These Basic coated electrodes are now igniting quite well and melting fast generating a wide puddle/bead.

First pass


Second pass


Both times the electrode got too short.

The slack is neat too, clears the weld bead cleanly.
This was the above pictured first pass.

 

[Wilhelm]

 

[Wilhelm]

OK, I have found a liking for the Basic coated stick electrodes - all it needed was a welder packed with features I didn't know existed.

But, what is the consensus - which one is giving the better weld when used properly?

I seem to notice a deeper penetrating & wider melting puddle/bead on the Basic vs the Rutile coated electrodes.
It just needs more UMPH!!!
Not in "amps", but in welder "features".