Just picked up my first welder

I'd be interested in a welding event. Always wanted to learn how to properly weld but haven't had the time.

There are several skilled welders in our group!

Weld party?

Very nice welder for most applications. You should be using an 8" spool of ER70S-6 - .035 wire. Try to run the machine on 230 input volts when possible. For steel you will want 75/25 gas (argon co2 mix ) it will produce less spatter and a nice weld profile. Don't forget at full rated amps the 211 has a 30% duty cycle. Duty cycle is based on 10 minutes so 30% is, weld 3 minutes rest 7, lower amperage better duty cycle=more weld time. If your going to weld aluminum you will want to add the spoolmate 100 which is compatible with that machine, then run 100% argon gas. Have any questions let me know. Mark

.035 is for heavy duty welds like axle work. Most everything on your Jeep can be done with .030. Wire size is totally dependent on what you are trying to weld. Prep work and penetration are two of the most important things you can do in my book. The Sierra class isn’t bad, but you will learn more if you can spend a few hours with a very skilled mig welder. Sierra will teach you from the basics up which include gas, ARC, mig, and they will touch on TIG.

You can easily weld 18gauge up to 3/8ths with .035, even a novice. The 211 has "auto set" which will select voltage and amperage for you so it is an easy machine to setup, it also has "tip saver" which will save money on consumables. Mark

I've been running the 211 for 7 months. Works great. C25 is the most common mixture to run. I've used flux, .030 solid and. 035 solid. 1/8" up to 1/4" thicknesses. I do recommend getting it set for 220v. I stopped using autoset after about 2 months and this is just dependent on your progress development. Mig puts out alot of deposition so techniques matter. I still have a problem of going too fast on travel at times.



I recommend taking the class if you've never really been exposed to joining/cutting processes. The safety aspects are value enough.



Everything will depend on the practice input especially without any other educational support.

The 211 is a great welder. I have the Miller 180 with auto set. Plug it into 220. I have had great sucess welding 1/4 with .30. but over that I would go .35. The 75-25 co2 argon is the ony way to go. Also I don't use the auto set function. I find that if you take the setting listed inside the cover and then increase the vlotage and decrease the wire speed you can get a good penatrating weld. Also get an auto darkening helmet. Do you have grinders? I have two, one with a flapper wheel and one with a thin cutting disk. If you want to have a weld practice day we could line something up.

WOW!! Thanks for all the posts. I would be more than happy to "host" or pick-up lunch for a weld party event. I have the 211 but no gas. I was looking at picking up some .035 (it only came with .030) and some flux core. I also wanted to pick up some gas and one of my first questions is what to get and how much. I don't want a lot of tanks taking up space in the garage if I don't need them. I also don't have a clue where to go for any consumables or material. The first project Reed and I would like to do is a Welding Cart to put the welder and a bottle on. I know I can buy one, but thought that might be a good way to cut our teeth on a project. I'm more than happy to purchase the material if we want to make this our project for the "welding party"



Huck

These are all good points.

So here's mine;

No matter what positon your in, be comfortable. Makes for a better welds.

forget duty cycles, you'll never weld close to ten minutes at a time.

Your machine will feed more consistently with a ten pound spool of wire than a one pound.

Read the directions. if it didn't have direction go to miller and down load them.( Trouble shooting for the machine )

Welding schools are great for teaching a profession.

Be prepared to be burnt from time to time.( John Wayne up )

Good prep goes a long way to making a good weld.

Check this out; http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/

Keep your eye on the puddle, slow down, it's not a race.

The better you get the wilder the welding caps can be. You don't want to wear one with green and purple frogs unless you can back it up>( welders joke)

oh I almost forgot: Put your hood down.



Who's holding the welding seminar? and when ?

"huck271" wrote: WOW!! Thanks for all the posts. I would be more than happy to "host" or pick-up lunch for a weld party event. I have the 211 but no gas. I was looking at picking up some .035 (it only came with .030) and some flux core. I also wanted to pick up some gas and one of my first questions is what to get and how much. I don't want a lot of tanks taking up space in the garage if I don't need them. I also don't have a clue where to go for any consumables or material. The first project Reed and I would like to do is a Welding Cart to put the welder and a bottle on. I know I can buy one, but thought that might be a good way to cut our teeth on a project. I'm more than happy to purchase the material if we want to make this our project for the "welding party"

Huck

Running shielding gas was the biggest improvement I saw when welding at home (I've used my readywelder in my garage and a small 110 machine. I currently have an ironman 210 that runs on 220. I use the mixture skorch suggests and it works great. I've only welded to to about 3/8" thickness and I don't weld on steering or front suspension components because of my lack of experience. It seems like better equipment makes the job easier. Did you get a plasma cutter as well?

I have not picked up a plasma cutter yet.. I'm sure this will be on the list, for now we will use a cutoff wheel, grinder, etc.. which we have. So where do I get the gas? Anyone know of a good shop in town?



Thanks,

Huck

Good people with good advice. Mark http://www.harrisgas.com/

"huck271" wrote: So where do I get the gas?

Thanks,
Huck

Usually Taco Bell works for me.

X2 on Harris!! Everything you could want!! And like he said, great people!!

"skorch" wrote: Good people with good advice. Mark http://www.harrisgas.com/

"huck271" wrote: I have not picked up a plasma cutter yet.. I'm sure this will be on the list, for now we will use a cutoff wheel, grinder, etc.. which we have. So where do I get the gas? Anyone know of a good shop in town?

Thanks,
Huck

I went to Airgas in Rancho, but I think Harris is closer to you. I ended up buying the tank to keep things simple.



My plasma cutter is also an Arc Welder and a Tig Welder.

"skorch" wrote: Good people with good advice. Mark http://www.harrisgas.com/

I go to their Citrus Heights location for my gas, not Taco Bell!

"lj4x4" wrote: [quote="skorch"]Good people with good advice. Mark http://www.harrisgas.com/

I go to their Citrus Heights location for my gas, not Taco Bell!

What am I missing? Mark

I think he is referencing my post...I'm so immature.

"finder_87" wrote: I think he is referencing my post...I'm so immature.

I was going to give it two thumbs up. I'm immature too. 😁

I don't go to Harris, I go to Taco Bell.

I went to Harris today to check it out. Very neat place. I'm already making my wish list.



I didn't see any dewrags with green frogs though..



Huck

"huck271" wrote: I went to Harris today to check it out. Very neat place. I'm already making my wish list.

I didn't see any dewrags with green frogs though..

Huck

I was there at 4pm picking up new head gear for my hood, small world. Mark

This is the place you get the cool welding hats from. http://www.weldinghatsbypam.com/index.html