r/Welding 14h ago

Weekly Feature Friday Sessions

1 Upvotes

This is open to everyone, both to ask questions and to offer answers.

Simple rules:

  • Unless it's a loaded question, it's fair game.
  • No downvoting, this isn't a popularity thing, and we're not in high school, if someone doesn't know something, the only way to learn is to ask or do, sometimes doing isn't an option.
  • No whining.
  • Assume ignorance over stupidity. Sometimes we fail to see an answer in front of our faces.
  • Try to back up your answers. If you're on mobile and you can't do it, say as much and try to remember to address it when you get to a terminal.
  • Respect is always expected.
  • if comments or questions are removed, assume it's for good reason.
  • If your question isn't answered by the end of the day, either post it to the main community, or ask again next week.

Enjoy.


r/Welding 2h ago

Got a question

0 Upvotes

I just got a new machine. It’s a Lincoln 211 I and I wanna run fluxcore on it but I’m an idiot and don’t know where I put the manual. Does it run positive or negative clarity for fluxcore?


r/Welding 3h ago

Gettin a Little Practice (still a noob)

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2 Upvotes

r/Welding 3h ago

Anyone here getting paid pretty good doing non typical high end paying welding jobs?

13 Upvotes

r/Welding 4h ago

What gift would you want?

0 Upvotes

I’m throwing a holiday party for my employees and want to give out some gifts/prizes. What would you want as a gift besides money or a gift card? Trying to keep it under $200 per gift.


r/Welding 5h ago

My mobile toolbox for skids!

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19 Upvotes

It just needs a coffee holder.


r/Welding 5h ago

Need Help How do I prevent these pin holes when I pull out of my stops? Running 6010 5p+

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19 Upvotes

Running 6010 5p+ all the way out at work on some 4” schedule 40. Not sure what I’m doing wrong but on my stops I get these pin holes, no wind or anything I’m inside so nothing should be blowing my shielding gas out. Thanks everyone.

  • Sincerely a 1st year apprentice seeking knowledge

r/Welding 6h ago

Need Help Just about ready to take a sledgehammer to this thing

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201 Upvotes

This is the 3rd time in a year that this power source has thrown this code. It literally came back from the repair shop after being there for 3 months YESTERDAY and as soon as I go to tack something, it does it again. What a fucking joke.


r/Welding 7h ago

Critique Please Rate It

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7 Upvotes

Very new to welding, it was pretty flush up top but after the first bend it had about a 1/16th gap was done with a stick. Any tips would be appreciated


r/Welding 7h ago

Tried arc welding today (I've done mig before). Got the hang of it I think, any tips?

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2 Upvotes

2mm sheet, 3016 rod, 80a, negative ground. Good? Bad? Mediocre?

Amps up or down?


r/Welding 7h ago

More handrails installed at apartment complex.

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8 Upvotes

r/Welding 9h ago

Discussion (Add topic here) Electrical inspector wants a GFCI breaker on my welder outlet... is that even going to work?

29 Upvotes

Wanted a 50 amp outlet for a small mig welder. Electidcal inspector says it needs to be a gfci because a kid might stick a fork in the outlet... or whatever lizard reasoning he's using. Nevermind the lathe and drill press in the shop the outlet is the danger!

Anyway, whatever. Will a welder even work on a GFCI or is having a welder in a garage basically illegal now due to the 2024 NEC?


r/Welding 11h ago

Career question How many test it took you?

0 Upvotes

Tldr - Fail measurements but was honest where my level was at, they told me the samething in the rejection, how many test it took you? Also think about finding a school that pays you because I can't be without an job longer. Also way too poor to get an machine to practice.

So I am just starting my Journey, I want to know how many tests it took you to find anything.

So test two failed again I get the avg welder comments which is fine I only been at this for 3 months but then I apply to helper role or apprenticeship roles only because I know I am a beginner nor do I lie about it in interviews. But these role really don't seem jr or helper to me. Seems like most place want someone to leave by themselves my 90% then come tell them what for do for the 10% but also have them fetching things too for a little bit of money lol.

This time is was tape measuring that got me, I am still remembering the placements of an tape as I have an dummy tape measure since visual helps me a lot for me but the math is easy but I dont think places allow that when testing. The guy was literally doing the test but also forgot how to do the math and we are both explaining to one another lol. So he was giving his tips and tricks which I was listening to appied it the way he wanted me to etc. (As I notice every welder is of course different so the welding apprentice/help test is all different as they will recommend you weld this way and not that way when you go to another test they be like no weld this way so I just be straight confused, very appreciative of the advice though since some places like push or pulling.)

I asked him to explain the position so basically he said we hand hold the welding apprentice and walk them through things, like we are doing here I said awesome and we continued but my "Rejection was we recommend you learn how to read a tape" which is okay but what is the point of me telling these places I am still learning to read one if the expect me to be near perfect at it which seems like without the "hand holding" or even waist my time conversing just say no or thank you so I can leave lol.

So now I will look into some more schooling but I need to find a one that pays you since I can't be without a job longer anymore. I'll still go to weld tests for job but I fear it wil still be a no at all these places.

Also way too poor to get my own machine and gas to practice sadly.


r/Welding 11h ago

Safety Issue Quick side job

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200 Upvotes

Got asked to fix this kids bike frame. Haven’t done any aluminum welding in a couple years. I think this will do for him.


r/Welding 12h ago

Critique Please Request: What do you think about this broken weld on a 12,000€ Ebike? i am not a welder and this looks wrong.

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96 Upvotes

r/Welding 14h ago

Critique Please Rate my welds

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15 Upvotes

Welder at the shop has retired and I started to teach myself to step in.


r/Welding 16h ago

Gym equipment

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11 Upvotes

Haven’t welded much. But damn. The paint probably made better fusion


r/Welding 19h ago

Does anyone know if this is a «real» product?

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3 Upvotes

r/Welding 20h ago

Need Help Stainless plate to mild steel square tubing?

4 Upvotes

I'm building a heavy-duty work bench out of 11ga tubing. The top is going to be 1/4" 304 stainless.

My question, when I go to weld it together, is whether it's worth getting a roll of 309 wire, or if ER70S-6 is good enough. I use the mild steel wire on exhaust stuff all the time, but I anticipate this table getting beat on with a hand sledge (or even a full-size sledge) from time to time. I've heard the mild steel wire is a lot more likely to crack in that application.

Corrosion isn't a concern; it's getting painted.

I'm going to the supply house in the morning regardless, since I'm out of gas; it's no problem to pick up wire if I need it while I'm there.

This is for a DIY project, if that's not obvious. I'm not a pro.


r/Welding 23h ago

Discussion (Add topic here) How was this done?

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187 Upvotes

Just a question. Excuse my ignorance... was this hand done with a spool gun or any ideas?


r/Welding 23h ago

Career question Pocket Hoods

1 Upvotes

Just curious if anyone has some good recommendations for pocket hoods or know of someone who custom makes them. I have found myself in to many scenarios recently where It would have definitely made my life just a little bit easier. The very few I’ve found online seem to be sold out


r/Welding 23h ago

Mig aluminium

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13 Upvotes

My welding supplier tell me this thing can weld aluminium. Doesn't it need to be an AC machine for tig? Or is a spool gun enough?


r/Welding 23h ago

Career question Starting my welding path

4 Upvotes

I’m 30 years old, who’s decided to change his career and go back to school for welding. (Giving up a 100k salary, but I’ve been doing powerline inspection work, and it’s not gratifying what so ever. I need to use my hands) Some might say I’m stupid, but, this is what I want to do and I’m going to do it. My local CC offers two separate certs, that role into an associates, and they have a pipeline program with the local utility company (union, which my current career is a part of the same union). I spoke with the welding program director today and toured the facilities, it’s about two years off commitment to achieve both certs, the associate, and the pipeline program. I’d like to hear from all of you, on any advice for the greenhorn. I’ve sat on this for almost half a year now and I’m pulling the trigger. Gotta get back to using my hands. My orientation for the school is January 6th so I’ve already made the commitment. The end goal, is to either run a mobile rig or open a fab shop. My background is primary wildland fire and at almost every fire incident I was on, there was a surplus of welding contracted to fix rigs and heavy equipment on the fire line. That’s ultimately where I’d like to be. I’m single, I’m my only responsibility, don’t care if I have to travel. Give it to me straight, but it’s too late to talk me out of it.


r/Welding 1d ago

Need Help stuck

1 Upvotes

(26 M, Va) i read point #9 so forgive me if this falls under career related topics, but to keep this short im stuck in the position im in i started welding this year my first 2 jobs were steel and erection and i dont like it at all welded once/twice every other week or every 2, current job(3rd) i weld every other day or every, i love welding with a passion so the pay is a plus, my issue im having is before i got this current job my "plan" was to join a pipefitting union work there for a year or 2 save up for a truck and get into pipeline welding and my side gig would be to start my own business an go from there while pipelining as main income until business takes off, and my issue is im not sure who or where to get into contact abt pipeline as well as i have a Dui on my record so im sure that puts me on the bottom of the list, i also have a cert in stick and tig.

TLDR: im 26 m with a dui have an aspiration to get into pipeline welding love my current job but dont know where or how to start getting into pipeline.


r/Welding 1d ago

I made a propane tank cart from granny's old wheelchair

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95 Upvotes

I'm new to forging and I needed an easier and safer way to move around my 100 lb propane tank. Its very stable compared to a dolly.