Posted by Marie Poppins on March 4, 2020 in Industrial
Oxford Tig welder plus welding guides: Stick Welding — If you learned to weld years ago, you likely learned using an arc welder. Stick welding for many years has been the most popular method for most home-shop welding needs. This process uses an electric current flowing from a gap between the metal and the welding stick, also known as an arc-welding electrode. Stick welding is an effective method for welding most alloys or joints and can be used indoors and outdoors or in drafty areas. It’s also the most economical welding method and provides the ability to create an effective bond on rusty or dirty metals. However, this method is limited to metals no thinner than 18-gauge, requires frequent rod changing, emits significant spatter and requires that welds be cleaned upon completion. Stick welding is also more difficult to learn and use, particularly the ability to strike and maintain an arc. Arc welders are available in AC, DC or AC/DC, with AC being the most economical. It’s used for welding thicker metals of 1/16 inch or greater. These machines are a good choice for farmers, hobbyists and home maintenance chores.
Our OXFORD MULTI-ARC portable range make a very sensible alternative to the inverter, they offer superior welding performance on MIG & other processes, similar to the best EU or USA inverter but without the reliability issues of an inverter. These are maybe not quite as portable as a small inverter but otherwise are a better choice. If you are considering a TIG machine, ARC welder, multi-process machine or plasma cutter its not so stright forward. 25+ years ago almost every type of these was transformer based which means many are still around working today! Transformer based machines are usually rugged, reliable units built to last, & are great when designed for CV (MIG) applications but transformer based TIG & PLASMA machines have limited welding & cutting performance, also as these are all ‘constant current’ (CC) types, efficiencies & power factors are low, so power consumption is high. They also tend to be large heavy machines. Today there are not many machines on the market built the old way. Discover extra details at Oxford Mig Welders.
Never forget that welding, when done improperly, can be hazardous. Electric shock, fumes and gases, arc rays, hot parts, noise and a host of other possible hazards come along with the territory. The ultraviolet and infrared light rays can also burn your skin – similar to a sunburn but without the subsequent tan – and your eyes. This is why the best MIG welding operator knows how to stay safe. Following some simple tips can help you take your MIG welding operation to the next level and ensure you are as safe, efficient and professional as any other shop. Welding helmets, gloves, close-toed shoes and clothes that fully cover exposed skin are essential. Make sure you wear flame-resistant natural fibers such as denim and leather, and avoid synthetic materials that will melt when struck by spatter, potentially causing burns. Also, avoid wearing pants with cuffs or shirts with pockets, as these can catch sparks and lead to injuries.
One of the “cardinal sins” that almost every shop commits is over-welding. This means that if the drawing calls for a 1/4″ fillet weld, most shops will put down a 5/16″ weld. The reasons? Either they don’t have a fillet gauge and are not exactly sure of the size of the weld they are producing or they put in some extra to “cover” themselves and make sure there is enough weld metal in place. But, over-welding leads to tremendous consumable waste. Let’s look again at our example. For a 1/4″ fillet weld, the typical operator will use .129 lbs. per foot of weld metal. The 5/16″ weld requires .201 lbs. per foot of weld metal – a 56 percent increase in weld volume compared to what is really needed. Plus, you must take into account the additional labor necessary to put down a larger weld. Not only is the company paying for extra, wasted consumable material, a weld with more weld metal is more likely to have warpage and distortion because of the added heat input. It is recommended that every operator be given a fillet gauge to accurately produce the weld specified – and nothing more. In addition, changes in wire diameter may be used to eliminate over-welding. Find a few extra details at https://www.weldingsuppliesdirect.co.uk/.