Subject: Re: Welding advice

From: Phil Plumbo <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 7 Jun 1996 11:06:08 -0500

At 10:12 AM 6/7/96 -0500, you wrote:
>I've finally got a Lincoln arc welder in my shop and have been trying 
>to learn how to use it. My problem is learning to strike an arc. Every 
>time I do this the rod sticks and I have to remove it and start again. 
>Anyone got any advice on getting this down? 

I was taught to pretend you're striking a match,
making a quick contact but then
withdrawing slightly, not too far
or you'll extinguish the arc. 

It takes practice.

-Phil Plumbo

---

From: Bill Hornaday <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 07 Jun 1996 10:14:21 -0700

At 10:12 AM 6/7/96 -0500, you wrote:
>Anyone got any advice on getting this down? I am working with 6011 
>rods 1/4 inch diameter. Think I had the welder set at about 75. Would 
>also appreciate advice on when you use different type and diameter 
>rods. I was told to try the 6011 for stuff that is kind of rusty, 
>which would apply to most of my stock, but had no clue as to what 
>diameter to use. In comparison to my success withthe arc welder, forge 
>welding seems easy! 
>-- 
>Jim McCarty
>Father Helias Forge
>Taos, MO
>Newsletter editor, Blacksmiths Association of Missouri
>Foolish consistencies are the hobgoblins of little minds
>
>I was tought how to use a stick welder by being handed a box of 7018 or
6013 rod along with a rectangle of thick steel 6''x4"x 1/2" and told to keep
welding up and down until the steel was built up to about $" tall or the box
is done.  These rods are the easiest to start out with.( my opinion)  Well
anyway, after you're done you will have it done and using other rod is mucxh
easier.  Taught to me by Bill Miller of Seal Beach, CA, a noble blacksmith
and great teacher.

Keep practicing,

Bill Hornaday