FEL Build for 520

[peter lena 8,634]

On ‎11‎/‎29‎/‎2017 at 11:45 PM, cschannuth said:

 

I wouldn’t bet on it. I’m the slowest welder in the world. Once I get an arc started I’m fine but it takes me forever to start one. 

experiment with your amps, and wire size, or have a more experienced welder, help you zero in on the issue. you are probably right on the edge of easy weld starting. I had a similar issue , and a pipefitter / welder  helped me right out. Pete

[cschannuth 3,816]

5 hours ago, peter lena said:

experiment with your amps, and wire size, or have a more experienced welder, help you zero in on the issue. you are probably right on the edge of easy weld starting. I had a similar issue , and a pipefitter / welder  helped me right out. Pete

 

 I’ve actually gotten better at starting my welds. I think better grounding and prep work was my key. 

[WVHillbilly520H 10,373]

1 hour ago, cschannuth said:

 

 I’ve actually gotten better at starting my welds. I think better grounding and prep work was my key. 

If you're using a 220v "stick" welder smaller diameter rods (5/32" vs 3/16") help improve start/arc off as well as weld penetration, learned from trial and error at home but then at work everything is 480v and you can pretty much use a Mig welder as a cutting torch, here's a couple pics of my stick welds at home 220v 5/32 7018 rod on 1/2" thick steel (multiple passes), BTW Craig looking good so far keep plugging away you'll be moving mulch and gravel before you know it, Jeff.

Edited April 19, 2018 by WVHillbilly520H

[wallfish 17,011]

37 minutes ago, WVHillbilly520H said:

at work everything is 480v and you can pretty much use a Mig welder as a cutting torch

Agreed, the smaller rods will do wonders. Some test runs with adjustments and you get there fairly quick. The arc is also more difficult to start if the rods were ever damp or worse, are damp. Or when the coating blows off a little far up the rod end. It needs those gases to shield it.

[JoeM 7,874]

Another item, if using an AC Stick Welder, Lincoln manufactures a 7018AC rod that really runs great.

I used these in 3/32 and 1/8" sizes, works well.

 

[WVHillbilly520H 10,373]

Here's a couple pics of my Mig welding at work today, single pass vertically, that 480v sure is sweet to use, another thing to watch is your "heat signature" as it will tell you whether you are getting good "penetration" vs just "beading" on, top of what you're welding, Jeff.

Edited April 19, 2018 by WVHillbilly520H

[wallfish 17,011]

1 hour ago, WVHillbilly520H said:

Here's a couple pics of my Mig welding at work today, single pass vertically, that 480v sure is sweet to use, another thing to watch is your "heat signature" as it will tell you whether you are getting good "penetration" vs just "beading" on, top of what you're welding, Jeff.

Nice!

That high heat sure keeps the bead thinner and flat. Certainly looks like a professional weld

[cschannuth 3,816]

Spent a bit more time finishing up some welding. Everything is fit together at this point. I just need to build a pump bracket, test fit the plumbing, disassemble everything, paint, and put it back together and see what happens. It doesn’t sound like much but It’llprobably take me all summer to accomplish that. 

[mmmmmdonuts 274]

You're doing a fantastic job. Be moving dirt in no time. Great job. 

[RandyLittrell 3,884]

Looking good Craig!! If you haven't had a loader before, your gonna love it!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Randy

[cschannuth 3,816]

9 hours ago, RandyLittrell said:

Looking good Craig!! If you haven't had a loader before, your gonna love it!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Randy

 

Thanks, Randy. We have one on a big tractor at the farm but this one will be used around the house so I am really looking forward to putting it in service. 

 

Craig

[cleat 6,045]

Your back will thank you.

No more heavy lifts by hand.

[WVHillbilly520H 10,373]

On 4/19/2018 at 5:46 PM, wallfish said:

Nice!

That high heat sure keeps the bead thinner and flat. Certainly looks like a professional weld

Sorta is since that's part of my everyday job ,would be nice to have that power at home...here's a couple of shots of Tig welding

[Bluegrass 2]

On 11/29/2017 at 11:45 PM, cschannuth said:

 

I wouldn’t bet on it. I’m the slowest welder in the world. Once I get an arc started I’m fine but it takes me forever to start one. 

Turn up the dial....put more fire on it and strike like a match😉 my uncle told me that and he welded for a living for 40 years. Always worked for me figure I’d pass on the tip!

[Sarge 3,463]

For those that are stuck with old-school AC buzz boxes - there is a solution -

http://www.ahpwelds.com/catalog/stick

Out of stock for now, but should be available again soon. Price is about $260 total via either AHP or Amazon. Will easily run 7018 3/32" rods all day long on 110v wall socket (20amp) @90amps. Very small and compact, tiny little bugger but welds so smooth it's ridiculous. Pretty embarrassing that it's as smooth as my $4000 Miller Dynasty 200DX. Bump it up to 220v power, runs 1/8" 7018 easily and very smooth starting. One very noteworthy warning - absolutely no cellulose rods, ever! No 6010, 6011, ect..

Be careful with the stinger handle, or just swap it out for a better one - they are about as Chinese cheap as it gets, but that's the only complaint I've had so far and it's trivial. I've intentionally beat on this thing trying to push its duty cycle or just plain hurt it, no dice other than causing the stinger handle to break apart at the hinge from heat. For the price, insane you can get a welder that works this well, very compact and honestly rivals the Miller Maxstar 150 minus some additional perks/settings at less than 1/4 the cost. 

 

Sarge

[cleat 6,045]

TIG does make the nicest welds.

 

TIG welders are expensive so most home owners use cheaper alternatives.

 

Nice job.

 

Cleat

[mmmmmdonuts 274]

Sarge, thanks for the recommendation. I have a 50 year old AC buzz box that just keeps going and I keep debating buying on of these inverter types but can't seem to make up my mind if it is worth it or not. At $260 it gets more compelling to invest. The main advantage I see is cleaner welds so less cleanup afterwards. 

 

I have been doing a lot of welding lately as I have been working on my own loader lately. I got about 50' leads so my buzz box doesn't move so portability isn't a major concern. 

 

 

[Sarge 3,463]

That stupid little inverter welder will amaze even the most seasoned welder, it runs extremely smooth if the range is set correctly on 7018 rods there is nearly no spatter.  Like I said, it can almost embarrass my $4,000 Miller Dynasty with the exception of no dig control on dc - which in most cases isn't really needed. Be aware though, if you want to run tig operations it will require the common tig adapter lug - they are less than $20. One other note - AHP recommends never running longer leads on this machine due to voltage drop, it just doesn't have the raw power to push through long runs of wire. But, due to its size, there is no real reason to use longer leads than the included set it comes with - I just put the dumb thing where it's needed and go to work. At less than 25lbs with leads, it beats hauling the 55lb (+ cables) Miller out of the basement and out into the weather or having it potentially get wet from a sudden storm (Illinois, go figure). I've easily run the AHP on a 25' #12ga drop cord with zero issues, it just doesn't draw all that much, even on 120VAC. A cheapo 5k generator would turn it into a portable gas engine unit easily - I'm hunting for one now just for grins.

 

Running modern rods on DC is a lot nicer than being stuck with just an old AC buzz box. I still have two of them around here and the old Lincoln AC180 actually lives outside under a garbage bag, not kidding. Still works fine despite being out in the weather. I use it to run cellulose rods such as 6011/6010, ect and it does just fine. But, for low-hydrogen high strength work, the 7018 is so much nicer to work with and running it on DC it's just a lot smoother. There are 7018 dual range rods and even dedicated 7018 AC rods, but they don't weld nearly as smooth or as clean. Just some more info on it -

 

Sarge

[cschannuth 3,816]

It’s been a slow process but I finally have all the parts and pieces welded, painted, and cured. This weekend I hope to assemble everything including the pump and begin figuring out all of my hydraulic connections.   Once I get everything put back together and pinned on the tractor I’ll post a few more pics. 

[Sarge 3,463]

Very nice attention to detail - can't wait to see the finished product...

 

Sarge

[WHX?? 48,828]

Nice Craig... I sure hope your careful flinging wrenches and welding around that car tho!

[mmmmmdonuts 274]

Beautiful job so far. I just partially (not painted is it) finished my loader build on a different forum. If you haven't bought the hydraulics yet fit everything to a common adapter. I choose male jics with female jic hoses. This way if a hose goes bad you can have one long spare you can replace any where temporarily. Jics (Flares) are nice because they don't need pipe dope nor do they have O-Rings to replace. 

[cschannuth 3,816]

4 hours ago, Sarge said:

Very nice attention to detail - can't wait to see the finished product...

 

Sarge

 

Thanks, Sarge. It looks pretty good at a distance. Up close you can tell an amateur built it. 

[cschannuth 3,816]

3 hours ago, WHX19 said:

Nice Craig... I sure hope your careful flinging wrenches and welding around that car tho!

 

Thanks. Like the loader, the old fastback’s paint is not the best. Haha

[cschannuth 3,816]

All done except for the hydraulics. I will tackle them over the weekend.