Metalworking Hunttalkers!
- Thread starter p_ham
- Start date
np307
Well-known member
We've done some tedious work but I don't think I've been as happy to see something leave the shop as I will be when this project is over. Making 4 trays for a parts coating machine. Each tray has a total of 336 welds involved. 
np307
Well-known member
Fun project today. A freestanding mounting stand for a cabinet. Goes on the production floor so everything had to be sealed up, including sleeves for where the legs go. 
Beginner welder here. Started playing around with a bench top welder and soon found out how hard it is to see where you're going with the weld. I can't see anything but the weld pool! What do you all use to mark, or get a better view of, the weld pool?
Redmt
Well-known member
Better welding hood. You can't go wrong with a Jackson True Sight.
Brandon270
Well-known member
What shade lens is your welding hood? Were you wearing shaded glasses underneath? Turn your head more sideways down the line you're welding to try and get a better view. What type of welding are you running?
If you're just starting out, use a piece of soap stone and a square and scribe a line along where you want to go as a reference point.
Don't know about the hood lens except it's an auto darken job. No glasses under. Welder is 140 Easy MIG. I've been trying different angles to see what works. Got some soap stone and yellow marker paint yesterday, going to try it today. Am researching whether some kind of very strong LED light might help.
Brandon270
Well-known member
Most auto lenses are adjustable (some aren't) if it is, turn it down a shade. Since you're mig welding, "push" your puddle instead of dragging it, if you arent already, the gun blocks your view of where youre going.
As sytes said there's a lot of good stuff on YouTube. I highly recommend the channel "welding tips and tricks" . He's been doing it a long time, no fluff and has some of the best arc shots on youtube to show you what it should look like under the hood.
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Redmt
Well-known member
X2 Jody Collier is an excellent welder. His instructional videos are spot on.
LIK2HNT
Active member
How old are you? I found out sometime around 55 I started wearing glasses and watching my bead got harder. Especially in dark shops. Outside in the sun still ok. Started using a flood light especially tig welding inside stainless steel tankers.
OAF my eyes take forever to adjust to light changes.
Yes he is but found I had problems other than actually welding that made things a lot more difficult.
You nailed it. Took me awhile to catch on. After it dawned on me the hood I was using wasn't going to cut it, I picked one up that has some type of light gathering tech built into it plus it has a 10 inch window. Works pretty good, at least I can see the weld area now thank goodness.
Redmt
Well-known member
DO NOT wipe the plastic lense with anything dry. It will trash them pretty quickly. If you weld much at all, buy 10 packs of the plastic protectors.
Mallardsx2
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2015
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Little surprise for my kid at Christmas to go along with her new gun. I made it this weekend.
so what should they be cleaned with?
Redmt
Well-known member
If you HAVE to clean them use eyeglass cleaner. Cellulose based stick will cause the most mess on them. I used to clean them with eyeglass cleaner and soft towel. That got old quick. Now I just wipe them off on whatever is handy and change them when they get too scuffed up. The darkening cartridge is super sensitive. Clean it when necessary with cleaner and soft cloth. The cartridge is the major expense of the hood.
np307
Well-known member
Got a fun one going on currently. Going to be a funnel for salt and sugar at a food plant. Going to put a 3" hole through the point and weld in a fitting that can swing between 4 barrels. Everything has to be seal welded. 
