I use a GoPro Session 5 with a gold #10 lens tape on the front. I am still working on my distances, but you can see that I am welding. I use two of them for my YT channel, but have not reached perfection yet. I hope this helps. GoPros are a very poor choice for this application, IMO. Their lenses t...

You don't need any sort of specific welding camera. You can use any camera, but also need to use a shade. Of course, the better the camera and better the shade, the better your videos will be...just like with anything else. Looks to me like Jody has used a progression of cameras and shades over the ...

You'll soon realize how this forum really works :D Nothing like what you described, but that's not a bad thing. :) I agree that it's nice in some ways to be part of a forum that is small enough to basically self-moderate, but it's also a bit of a shame that more isn't done with it. It could really ...

Definitely interesting data points, and as others have mentioned, I appreciate both the exercise and the attention to detail. However, such settings, IMO, are only pertinent for mechanized and/or high-production welding. For hobbyist or job-shop work, the economies are often skewed to a point where ...

I think he meant preheat not for stress control, but to help with penetration/whetting on the 3/4" bar since it is a 3 to 1 thick-to-thin and an edge weld on the thinner tube at that. Preheat of the bar to maybe 300-400F certainly wouldn't hurt, IMO, but probably not really necessary. Also, tho...

So I was setting the flow by feel (lick the finger above your nail and slowly move your finger towards the torch. The torch should be in horizontal position. When the argon comes in contact with your finger, you'll feel instant cold on the licked area. When I'm feeling too lazy to walk over to the ...

I, too, have seen those lil' nips on occasion when TIG welding steel, but not very often, and not nearly as pronounced as yours seem to be. What's odd is that one part/assembly won't do it at all, but then the next part I will see it happening even though all settings and heat control are essentiall...

A fun math exercise I'm sure but for the most part I let the weld tell me with the flow should be. (I'm far away from USA, but I wish that one day I'll get there :D ). You may have waited too long. The USA as we knew it doesn't exist anymore. Speaking of which... how's the weather over there in Mac...

Just watch out for flashback issues if making your own torches. They can and will blow up if not designed properly. Trust me

For stainless I run my #10s at right about 20CFH. They have a diffuser screen which I think helps out a bit. I'll run the #12s about 25CFH. Both get bumped up a bit when I need more stickout. Works well enough for me. I also use x2.2 for the "rule of thumb" you had mentioned. That gets it ...

So my welder came with the CK17 torch kit and some basic "consumables". Why are they consumable? How do they go bad? I did order a pack of tungstens so I get that part. Collets? Collet bodies? Caps? What should I have on hand so I don't get caught in the middle of something when one of th...

I would avoid Harbor Freight, but only because I saw their in-store 1lb tubes of 70S-2 are $9.99/lb. That's insane. Good to know. THX. So who has good (best) pricing on filler rod? I'll only be buying 1lb each of various types. Check your local welding supply as well as online, even if it's a bit o...

I would avoid Harbor Freight, but only because I saw their in-store 1lb tubes of 70S-2 are $9.99/lb.

That's insane.

#7 cup with gas lens, about 14-15 CFH. Yes, cheap chinese regulator. I will try turning it up a bit. Welds have been only a little bit grey and nice and shiny on the last 1/4 of the bead. All but the last pass on each pic is very grey, as I have been putting a wet towel on each weld to cool it down...

Respirators are useless with heavy beards IMO. My friend that worked for 3M would tell me stories about this kind of stuff when he presented to large companies about how people wanted to keep their beards but didn't want to sacrifice on their breathing safety either. Funny stuff. Case in point: los...

Oscar wrote:Only if you consider mine to be "the same".

I am rewatching that video you did on the 400. They certainly do look similar.

Any disappointments after owning it for several months? How is it on AL? What's the warranty? HTP oddly makes that hard to find on their site...

Looking at all of the pics, it kind of looks like you're cycling between too much heat and not quite enough heat on the different welds. Just keep running beads to become better at splitting that difference. Some of your welds, especially the first pic you posted, do look a little scummy and grey in...

So, finally decided to pull the trigger on another machine. Invertig 221 all the way. I was pumped. Ready to place that order. And of course they are out of stock for the 220v models, until possibly March... So now considering the 313. Oddly, I can't find a single review of this welder online despit...

If you're not doing code work, and if you may not be doing professional-level work where 7018 is required, recommend you give some thought to running something like 6013 or 7014. They are arguably easier to run, and don't have the stringent storage requirements. Not trying to assume your needs, thou...

How big is the part and what does the rest of it look like? It's only a few inches, and is literally just an acme threaded nut with something similar to a T-slot casting to guide in that track. The vise block threads into that T-slot casting. I already "repaired" it, though, by flipping i...

Have you considered changing that vise bolt to a stud? You might be able to braze a piece of threaded rod into the partial socket, then braze the broken chunk on the exposed edge of the stud and to the fracture surface? I think all-thread is available in both Gr2 and Gr5, so choose wisely. Cheers, ...

I use the 3M 7502 respirator with the 2097 filters. Fits under any hood I've used it with. But, admittedly, I don't use it under my hood very often. Can't speak to whether or not it will fit under that Esab, but I would think likely so. https://www.amazon.com/3M-Facepiece-Respirator-Respiratory-Prot...

Looking to add vibratory tumbling capability to my shop. Been researching it a bit, but not a lot of clear answers on the web. For general deburring of mostly small steel parts that have been cut/machined/drilled, anybody have a preference for the plastic media vs. the ceramic media? I'd think the c...

My idea would circumvent the need to do that 3-step process altogether. To drill a 5/8" hole would require no more effort than drilling a 1/4" (or perhaps a 3/8") diameter hole. It would obviously be geared towards hobbyists and not professionals, with regards to the accuracy of the ...

I looked at the Crummy fixture plate as well as Certiflat and Texas Metal Works. Ended up ordering a Texas Metal Works table with the leg kit. May not weld up the legs right away and just throw it up on my bench (or horses) when I need to weld on it.https://texasmetalworks.com/product/weld-table-di...