Welding Do it Yourself Guide
Welding is a simple phenomenon of melting two pieces of metal and joining together by adding an extra piece of steel with the welding rod. Welding basically done by oxy-acetylene, arc or MIG welder. For our domestic use we can rent the equipment rather than to buy it as it is relatively expensive. Arc welder is cheaper than MIG welder or an oxy-acetylene welder.
You have to be cautious in welding process as simple mistake like improper melting of rod or wire may lead to stick it along with the surface in which you work which is a bad thing. But you can able to do it in right way which doesn’t take much time. So with experienced hand you will be able to do it smoothly by correctly mixing the metals and making correct amount of penetrations.
· Goggles:
In order to safe guard your eyes from the flame or spark of a gas welder you need to use a dark goggle.
· Face mask and gloves:
Always wear a full face covered mask and gloves to protect your face and hands from spark and metal ejecting from weld.
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Also make sure that there are no flammable items nearby.
- Oxygen-acetylene welding:
Let us start with oxy-acetylene welding since it is the basics of all and if you are good with it you will have a good understanding about mig and arc welding too.
It consists of two large tanks, one containing oxygen and the other with acetylene. Both tanks contain a regulator setup with a pair of hoses leading to torch handle. First of all adjust the line pressure with the help of regulator and close the torch handle. Now open the valve which is at the top of the tank and then open the torch handle about half. Now adjust the pressure line to about 5psi and close the valve and do the same with other line.
Began the experiment with a scrap material and once you get the right amount of heat then use it with the material you want to work with. Use correct amount of heat and if it exceeds it will melt the entire work, creating a hole in the work material or if it is not enough, the weld will not hold properly.
If you can’t adjust the torch, you will never make a good weld. The amount of oxygen and acetylene you use and how you hold and move the torch matters a lot.
- Arc welding:
Here you have to adjust the heat range on the welder. A dial setup is used to adjust it. Although the basics are similar to oxy-acetylene welder, techniques used here are different. You need to use arc to do welding here. For producing this arc you need to scratch the electrode end against the work.
Once arc appears take away the electrode from work and start welding process. Try to maintain the distance between electrode tip and work, because if you take far away, arc disappears and if you are too close, electrode and work will stick together. If you hear a crackling and crisp sound means it’s a good work.
Important thing is that move the electrode slowly so that you can have good view of the puddle and hence weld will be strong enough.
- MIG welding:
It is easiest of all. It is similar to arc welding but a here a wire is used to feed automatically from gun end. Gas bottle provides gas which is expelled from gun end. For a good weld, electric arc intensity and wire feed rate must be correct. Wire size is also important and it must match with the tip. You can use flux cored wire if you don’t have gas from preventing oxidation.
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