2014 Baja Warrior

nightgrider

Well-Known Member
#81
Finally had some time to test out the new welding machine. Once I finally got the wire to feed right, the contact tips opening was too small. Had to swap the tip to the tip from my Harbor freight machine. Stinks that the tips that came with the welder are junk, but good to know I can easily get replacements at harbor freight. Obviously not my best work on either weld, I need to practice more. I ran the exact same 0.030 harbor freight vulcan flux core wire in both machines and the material is the same scrap bed frame. The Femerol blew the Flux 125 out of the water on spatter, but that is probably because the Femerol is a DC machine, better for flux core VS the Flux 125 is an AC machine. The Flux 125 seemed to have better penetration, but I don't think I had the Femerol voltage set right. The Femerol weld seems a bit cold and high, again probably due to the incorrect voltage settings, though the Flux 125 weld is sitting a bit high too, definitely had the wire feed speed too high. Final conclusion... I'm an untrained amateur and need more practice. Ha ha Though once I practice a bit more and learn the Femerol better it will produce nicer welds overall and was worth the money.
 

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nightgrider

Well-Known Member
#82
Got a little more practice in with the new welding machine tonight. Was at harbor freight earlier today and snapped a picture of the welding setting chart from a similar type machine. Tried those setting out and it made a big difference. Mostly adjusting the inductance to go with the right voltage. The welds still aren't perfect, but getting better. Worked a little on finishing the welding on my homemade sissy bar for my fox mini bike.
 

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#84
I am not trying to nit-pick, but I see a similarity between your welds and mine.
Do you wear glasses? Are they bifocals? This may be HIPPA protected info, so don't answer.
I do wear bifocals and my welding helmet works much better since I got one with the full screen (5x5?) instead of the narrow half screen.
It is much easier for me to watch the puddle and both workpieces with the larger field of view.
 

nightgrider

Well-Known Member
#85
I am not trying to nit-pick, but I see a similarity between your welds and mine.
Do you wear glasses? Are they bifocals? This may be HIPPA protected info, so don't answer.
I do wear bifocals and my welding helmet works much better since I got one with the full screen (5x5?) instead of the narrow half screen.
It is much easier for me to watch the puddle and both workpieces with the larger field of view.
I do wear glasses but not bifocals, yet. I've been considering a different helmet. My helmet is a smaller viewing window, not sure on the exact size. But I also not welding with the piece on the floor, hunched over, in the middle of the night with poor lighting would help. Haha I've noticed my welds are nicer when I weld during the day time with better lighting (finding that time is difficult though). I also need to get better at bracing myself and checking that I have full range of motion to complete the weld. That would help keep my weld bead be more consistent. As by the images I have a tendency to wander a bit while welding.
 
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nightgrider

Well-Known Member
#89
Long overdue, but I finally got some time to work on the cargo rack for the baja. The welds turned out ok for me. I ended grinding the welds down on the perimeter to make it look a little nicer and so the flat bar will lay flat in that area. Still need to get the flat bar cut to length and the mounting tabs cut out. Making a little progress.
 

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nightgrider

Well-Known Member
#95
Got 4 mounting tabs for the cargo rack made tonight. Still need to make the upper two mounting tabs that will mount the rack under the seat. I'm a bit off center on my drilling, but not bad for marking with a cardboard template and drilling by hand. At least I got two matching pairs. Insert a quote about consistency vs accuracy. Haha
 

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nightgrider

Well-Known Member
#97
I'd rather be consistent than accurate. :D If they are consistently off the same way, I can accurately work with that.
Exactly, that's what I told myself. They can be off, just need to be consistently off.

The saddest part is I have a drill press and a vice for it. I'm just lazy and haven't mounted the vice to the drill press. So I work harder to be lazy? Something like that. Haha
 
#99
This is my most productive time of year. I can survive in the garage with a jacket on, the farmers aren't dragging broken equipment over here to "get fixed" and the pollen isn't too bad . I have COPD and the summer and spring are not good for me, so fall is my time to play with my projects.
This week, my son is home with a fever and a cough, but next week, I plan to get some small progress done on my projects.
You can do a lot6 of planning and Ebay shopping between now spring. I assume you are in Hybernation Country. I am far enough south that we rarely see snow.
 

nightgrider

Well-Known Member
This is my most productive time of year. I can survive in the garage with a jacket on, the farmers aren't dragging broken equipment over here to "get fixed" and the pollen isn't too bad . I have COPD and the summer and spring are not good for me, so fall is my time to play with my projects.
This week, my son is home with a fever and a cough, but next week, I plan to get some small progress done on my projects.
You can do a lot6 of planning and Ebay shopping between now spring. I assume you are in Hybernation Country. I am far enough south that we rarely see snow.
Yeah up here in MI can get a bit cold. I power through it sometimes, but I need to eventually get some upgrades done to my garage. 220 electric, new siding, and insulation would be nice. Down the line, but not hot priorities right now. Mostly just need to pivot focus towards rearranging the garage. Get the snow blower closer to the door fire it up and see if I can make enough space to pull my daily driver inside.
 
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