Metalworking Hunttalkers!

GoGriz said:
Just curious as I really have no idea - which is easier to lay a nice bead with for basic welding, stick or MIG? In my mind MIG would be a little easier, but maybe that’s just because stick is still alluding me some and I haven’t done any MIG yet.
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IMG_20230519_155304485_HDR.jpg

My basic hobby welding setup... The additional tanks are not necessary, they're for aluminum and stainless steel.
I had an earlier model Miller and wanted something equivalent that I can transport and connect to a generator.
This is a 211 Millermatic (Inverter tech is a nice compliment)
Comes with the mig gun, etc.
It's attached to my 150 aluminum spool gun currently and I really like the quick ability to swap guns and get back to welding.

Still seems a bit pricey though as one says, "you get what you pay for".

There's other good mig setups from ESAB to Lincoln. All I can say though, it's fun as chit moving puddles of metal.

np307 said:
Aluminum is one area I'd love to get into for stuff at home.
Click to expand...

I dig the lightweight strength of aluminum. Fun for tinker projects.
 
I am really enjoying my Titanium Mig170 (around $500) on a 220v plug. Works very well. I have been very impressed with the beads I'm able to run. Building the caged ends for the dog kennel with rebar and the thing works great. Even on just some quality flux wire it lays down a dang good bead.
 
Lots of great welding tips here.

Does anyone on this thread have any advice for cutting thicker sheet metal (14 ga or heavier) by manual means?

IE, without a stomp shear or a hydro?
 
novum arcum venator said:
Lots of great welding tips here.

Does anyone on this thread have any advice for cutting thicker sheet metal (14 ga or heavier) by manual means?

IE, without a stomp shear or a hydro?
Click to expand...
4 1/2-5" grinder with slim cut disc
A quality slim cut disc from your welding supply, this is not something I'd do with a general purpose harbor freight death wheel
 
np307 said:
I'm guessing no plasma cutter and you don't want to use an angle grinder?
Click to expand...
Wish I had a plasma, or a laser! Pipe dreams. If I could get a very precise line a grinder would work, I think. Would have to play around with it I suppose. With practice, could I get a very tight and precise cut on something up to 4 ft?
 
novum arcum venator said:
Wish I had a plasma, or a laser! Pipe dreams. If I could get a very precise line a grinder would work, I think. Would have to play around with it I suppose. With practice, could I get a very tight and precise cut on something up to 4 ft?
Click to expand...
It's a little tedious but yeah it's possible. You can always cut it fat and grind it to your dimension.
 
novum arcum venator said:
Wish I had a plasma, or a laser! Pipe dreams. If I could get a very precise line a grinder would work, I think. Would have to play around with it I suppose. With practice, could I get a very tight and precise cut on something up to 4 ft?
Click to expand...
I have a Miller plasma at home and still use the grinder for sheet metal if it's only a handful of cuts. I've never had any fitment issues or more than a .030 variation in the desired size. If you are going to use the "cut it fat and grind" method ( I do not), then make sure you have a good piece of angle iron or flat stock to clamp to the sheet metal to as a guide for cleaning it up with a high grit flap disc. Otherwise, it's going to be the same as trying to level table legs with a hand saw...

Just out of curiosity, what are you building?
 
millerkiller77 said:
I have a Miller plasma at home and still use the grinder for sheet metal if it's only a handful of cuts. I've never had any fitment issues or more than a .030 variation in the desired size. If you are going to use the "cut it fat and grind" method ( I do not), then make sure you have a good piece of angle iron or flat stock to clamp to the sheet metal to as a guide for cleaning it up with a high grit flap disc. Otherwise, it's going to be the same as trying to level table legs with a hand saw...

Just out of curiosity, what are you building?
Click to expand...
I've had a storage prototype idea rolling around upstairs for a while, going to get cracking on it soon.
 
novum arcum venator said:
Lots of great welding tips here.

Does anyone on this thread have any advice for cutting thicker sheet metal (14 ga or heavier) by manual means?

IE, without a stomp shear or a hydro?
Click to expand...
I'm not one of the skilled gurus... just a hobby player though, how about oxy/acetylene cutting tip torch? Too much for the thickness? A tad rough for the cut line though depending on the need...?
I use it on occasion more for 3/8+ though. Asking the weld workers. I'd imagine there's a reason this option was not offered. For my work, cutting wheels are 90% of my cutting.
 
Sytes said:
I'm not one of the skilled gurus... just a hobby player though, how about oxy/acetylene cutting tip torch? Too much for the thickness? A tad rough for the cut line though depending on the need...?
I use it on occasion more for 3/8+ though. Asking the weld workers. I'd imagine there's a reason this option was not offered. For my work, cutting wheels are 90% of my cutting.
Click to expand...
Yeah I’m more familiar with precision sheet metal although I did hold a project manager position in an architectural metals contract shop. Not a skilled tradesman by along shot, but which some of you seem to be.
 
Sytes said:
I'm not one of the skilled gurus... just a hobby player though, how about oxy/acetylene cutting tip torch? Too much for the thickness? A tad rough for the cut line though depending on the need...?
I use it on occasion more for 3/8+ though. Asking the weld workers. I'd imagine there's a reason this option was not offered. For my work, cutting wheels are 90% of my cutting.
Click to expand...
I just more so assumed that if he was asking for suggestions he didn't have access to a torch.
 
novum arcum venator said:
Lots of great welding tips here.

Does anyone on this thread have any advice for cutting thicker sheet metal (14 ga or heavier) by manual means?

IE, without a stomp shear or a hydro?
Click to expand...
A Diablo blade in a skillsaw has cut a LOT of sheet/plate steel. Wear a faceshield and long sleeves. Definitely ear pro. The chips coming off are made of hellfire. I've got a scar on my lip from where one tried to make a home.
I've done full length sheets up to 1/4" and shorter cuts in 1/2".
 
Sytes said:
I'm not one of the skilled gurus... just a hobby player though, how about oxy/acetylene cutting tip torch? Too much for the thickness? A tad rough for the cut line though depending on the need...?
I use it on occasion more for 3/8+ though. Asking the weld workers. I'd imagine there's a reason this option was not offered. For my work, cutting wheels are 90% of my cutting.
Click to expand...
Nothing wrong with torch work. You can get just as nice of a cut as plasma if you're well versed.
 
p_ham said:
A Diablo blade in a skillsaw has cut a LOT of sheet/plate steel. Wear a faceshield and long sleeves. Definitely ear pro. The chips coming off are made of hellfire. I've got a scar on my lip from where one tried to make a home.
I've done full length sheets up to 1/4" and shorter cuts in 1/2".
Click to expand...
That’s nutz, how long did it take to cut a sheet of 1/4 and how clean was it after?
 
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