I made my first weld!...

[Rocky D]

Finished after wire brush....no filler added.

[Rocky D]

Another view....

Laps in all processes should look similar.

The mention of "Rocky The Great" is really not true....any skill that I may have comes from the "Great Skill Giver" in the sky, without whose help I would not even be writing this message, to Him should go any praise. But thanks anyway...

[Rocky D]

I was using about 50 amps, with a gas backup...the copper thing they're on is a purge block of porous bronze...and the torch gas I don't know, cuz I just listen to the gas coming out, and if it sounds right, then that's it. Tungsten is 3/32" but it would have been better to use 1/16". 2% thoriated, diamond ground.

Rocky the Meek?

[morpheus]

thanks for the pics Rocky.

I'm really confused now though, your lap welds look like mine before I started welding class and the instructor told me it wasn't good to do them like that. Let me take a picture of one of mine. It'll probably be tommorrow before I can find one to take a picture of. Thanks though Rocky.

I'm with you though Rocky, all praise/glory belongs to the one on the Throne

and Rocky, the instructor started teaching me how to TIG weld tonight, my first time at it ever. Personally I think I wasn't too bad at it all things considered. I'd never even brazed before. it's fun, very tedious though. my neck hurts from bending all over to be able to see the weld clearly. I can't seem to figure out the method to when to add the filler though since the puddle is molten without filler at all. it sure is fun though

- jack

[Rocky D]

Jack, you add the rod when the puddle starts to sink, dip the rod to make it convex....then get quickly into a rhythm. The sinking is barely perceptable...this is where practice comes in.

[welderpunk]

Hey thanx for the pics Rocky!
I got a couple questions still:
Is it harder to weld laps using oxy/axcetyleyne???
I'm just having a heck of a time doing these.
My teacher tells me to hold my torch on the bottom piece about an eighth away from the wall of the other piece and to use a rod.
This does NOT seem to work, i just keep burning things up.
Thanks again ~~Andy

[Rocky D]

Originally posted by welderpunk
Hey thanx for the pics Rocky!
I got a couple questions still:
Is it harder to weld laps using oxy/axcetyleyne???
I'm just having a heck of a time doing these.
My teacher tells me to hold my torch on the bottom piece about an eighth away from the wall of the other piece and to use a rod.
This does NOT seem to work, i just keep burning things up.
Thanks again ~~Andy

Again, the angle of attack is crucial, here. Has he not done it for you so you can see how he does it? A good teacher will step in an show you the movements, torch angle and flame to use, and just how to dip the rod. Don't be afraid to ask for help.... that''s what he is there for.

I haven't done a lap with O/A for some time now, but I will today and I'll try to see if I can shed some light on how to do it....who knows, I may have to ask you for some help! But don't give up, remember I told you there would be some frustrating times.

[welderpunk]

frustrating times indeed!
He showed me once but maybe i'll have him show me again tonight.
Thanks for all the help!
~~Andy~~

[Rocky D]

Andy, maybe this will make you feel better...This first run is with #3 Victor tip, gas A=5, O=40. As you can see, I burnt it up!

[Rocky D]

After that debacle, I went to the chart...which told me for 1/8" material. to use a #2 tip with gas A=3, O=3. Oh, and I cleaned the tip. All that made a big difference. The top piece tended to burn away quick, so I compensated with a 3/32" rod, and kept it in the puddle stirring it up as I went along. Also I kept the flame away from the top as much as I could. Still, far from perfect, but better. In real life, you will probably never use oxy-acetylene to do this type of weld.

[Rocky D]

...and here's the whole plate. It is difficult when you haven't done it in 40 years, so you shouldn't feel too bad. But while you are in the class give it your best shot!...then just a little more..

[welderpunk]

Hey,
I had my class tonight, and after 2hrs of doing lap welds,i finally got it down!
Rocky, your welds look good, I'm glad i'll never use O/A in a job
My teacher said my welds looked good, they look like the ones in your pics!
There is this 21 y/o guy in my class who can make better welds than my 30 year expierienced teacher, the kid is amazing,never welded before either.
WELL, one hurdle is over!
Thanx for all the help~~Andy~~

[Dan]

Rocky

Some of the guys that I work with produce TIG welds that look like those.

It has been at least 14 years since the last time I did any gas welding, which at the time I was using it to do some body work on my 1963 4 X 4 Willys Jeep pick up. I restored the truck from the ground up. I installed New brake lines , wiring, and gas lines. Rebuilt both differentials, and even re-arched all the leaf springs. The motor only had about 15,000 miles on it from a recent rebuild so I left it alone. Even painted the entire truck myself. Then 4 years later I got married and ended up selling truck because my wife thought it was to old. It was quite a project for a 20 year old to take on, but I had the supervision of my Dad who until 1980 was a professional automobile and diesel truck mechanic. He started work for GM back in the early 60's, but in late 1979 he was in a severe car wreck that made working on vehicles almost impossible for nearly 5 years. By this time he decided that he liked farming much better.

Sorry guys this didn t have much to do with welding did it.

[cope]

Originally posted by Rocky D
After that debacle, I went to the chart...which told me for 1/8" material. to use a #2 tip with gas A=3, O=3. Oh, and I cleaned the tip. All that made a big difference. The top piece tended to burn away quick, so I compensated with a 3/32" rod, and kept it in the puddle stirring it up as I went along. Also I kept the flame away from the top as much as I could. Still, far from perfect, but better. In real life, you will probably never use oxy-acetylene to do this type of weld.

Rocky, I bought my first O/A rig in 1970 and it was all I had for nearly a year. Made my 1st cylinder cart using 12 ga. and did all the welding using the torch. Its true that now most people never learn O/A; too bad because it would make them better at GTAW.

[Arbo]

I too started out with nothing but an OA rig. I kept practicing and kept getting better at it, but never perfect. There is not much to be said about the appearance of most OA welds, but if done right, there isn't a thing wrong with them.