Welding Tips and Tricks

Hi everyone, just checking in before I start asking questions.
Like many people I've always fancied learning to weld. I'd hoped to do some kind of community/evening class but this hasn't ever happened, so impulse purchases and YouTube will have to do!

I've picked up a cheap 2nd hand stick welder and have some steel box section to practice on with a selection of electrode types.

I've watched loads of videos but to be honest there seems to be a load of contradictory information out there so I'll be learning as I go.

I dare say I'll very quickly realise it's harder than I'm expecting and hope this won't lead to me selling the stuff on within a week!

Welcome!

Bovril wrote:I've watched loads of videos but to be honest there seems to be a load of contradictory information out there so I'll be learning as I go.

Welcome. Watch all the stick welding videos from Welding Tips & Tricks. All of them. Then you will have very accurate information by which to judge the rest of the videos you have/will see.

Bovril wrote:Hi everyone, just checking in before I start asking questions.
Like many people I've always fancied learning to weld. I'd hoped to do some kind of community/evening class but this hasn't ever happened, so impulse purchases and YouTube will have to do!

I've picked up a cheap 2nd hand stick welder and have some steel box section to practice on with a selection of electrode types.

I've watched loads of videos but to be honest there seems to be a load of contradictory information out there so I'll be learning as I go.

I dare say I'll very quickly realise it's harder than I'm expecting and hope this won't lead to me selling the stuff on within a week!

welcome.
a stick welder is a good way to start and yes its a bit hard at the start but you will get it and it will become easier.

what welder did you pick up?

It's a dirt cheap 2nd hand Wizzarc 100a with no control dial and just a high/low switch.
Complete impulse buy and I regret not researching before I bought it as I've probably made my learning path harder...!

Unfortunately the often recommended starting point of a Thunderbolt or Lincoln Buzzbox doesn't apply over here, so I'm in no man's land when it comes to working out what I need with a limited budget.

Bovril wrote:It's a dirt cheap 2nd hand Wizzarc 100a with no control dial and just a high/low switch.
Complete impulse buy and I regret not researching before I bought it as I've probably made my learning path harder...!

Unfortunately the often recommended starting point of a Thunderbolt or Lincoln Buzzbox doesn't apply over here, so I'm in no man's land when it comes to working out what I need with a limited budget.

i suspect thats a bad buy.
you need something thats adjustable and works well.
when learning you do not want to be fighting the machine.
that welder may work fine IF you have the right rods for it, but thats going to take a fair bit to work out.

i usually recommend a basic inverter stick welder of a known brand.
cheap, easily portable and small enough to store on the shelf.

Yes, I suspect you are right with that unfortunately. I've got a selection of electrodes and will have a go with what I have, but if I really struggle will inevitably be getting something else. Clarke machines seem reasonably priced and widely available here so may look at one of those unless I hear of any better alternatives at the budget end. At least I'm going into it with my eyes open I suppose!

Bovril wrote:Yes, I suspect you are right with that unfortunately. I've got a selection of electrodes and will have a go with what I have, but if I really struggle will inevitably be getting something else. Clarke machines seem reasonably priced and widely available here so may look at one of those unless I hear of any better alternatives at the budget end. At least I'm going into it with my eyes open I suppose!

I wouldn't just consider it to be a bad machine until you know it doesn't work.

Stick welding is fairly basic, it's not like it needs sophisticated electronics behind it.

Do you have a link to the manual or can you post a pic of your welder? I found some pics of a Wizarc for a Mig welder, but you typed Wizzarc. Certainly you'll be somewhat limited with 100a, but you can run 3/32" electrodes with it or should be able to.

I think you'll need to provide more information if you would like some help.

Hi, you're right, it's an SJP Wizarc 100, so long discontinued.
I fully plan to play with it before I get to the stage where I need to move it on. I've got a selection of 2.5mm electrodes, mainly 6010 and 6013 which should be ok for me to practice with.
I'll post in the correct section as I go on, as problems or questions crop up, and I'm sure many will!

TraditionalToolworks wrote:

Bovril wrote:Yes, I suspect you are right with that unfortunately. I've got a selection of electrodes and will have a go with what I have, but if I really struggle will inevitably be getting something else. Clarke machines seem reasonably priced and widely available here so may look at one of those unless I hear of any better alternatives at the budget end. At least I'm going into it with my eyes open I suppose!

Stick welding is fairly basic, it's not like it needs sophisticated electronics behind it.

but it does need some way to adjust amps. +/- 50 amps is a big task.
i've seen a few old machines like that over here. no amp adjustment, just a hi/lo switch. with the right size and type rods you could wing it. but thats not a good way to learn.

tweake wrote:but it does need some way to adjust amps. +/- 50 amps is a big task.
i've seen a few old machines like that over here. no amp adjustment, just a hi/lo switch. with the right size and type rods you could wing it. but thats not a good way to learn.

But it is what he has, and maybe we can help him.

100 amps is not bad for 3/32" electrodes, might be just a tad hot, but maybe he can work it out.

It's not as if he's going out looking for this welder, he has it already.

Last night I was looking on Amazon, there's an Amico 200 amp stick welder that says it will do 6010 for about $200, even had an arc force dial on it. Had a bunch of pretty good reviews for what that means...

I found it in my history.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KCPGC9B/re ... UTF8&psc=1

TraditionalToolworks wrote:

tweake wrote:but it does need some way to adjust amps. +/- 50 amps is a big task.
i've seen a few old machines like that over here. no amp adjustment, just a hi/lo switch. with the right size and type rods you could wing it. but thats not a good way to learn.

But it is what he has, and maybe we can help him.

100 amps is not bad for 3/32" electrodes, might be just a tad hot, but maybe he can work it out.

i was doing a small job the other day using 3/32 rods at 70 amps. +30 amps is not something you can just counteract with manipulation.

I've been mulling this over a bit. I'd like to be able to do some fabrication of metal frames etc, but also eventually to be able to repair my car once my skill level permits this.
With this in mind I'm wondering if a TIG/stick welder be a better option for something that could get me up to scratch but would be longer lasting and more versatile than a pure stick welder.

Would something like this be a good starting point?
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke- ... er-welder/

Bovril wrote:I've been mulling this over a bit. I'd like to be able to do some fabrication of metal frames etc, but also eventually to be able to repair my car once my skill level permits this.
With this in mind I'm wondering if a TIG/stick welder be a better option for something that could get me up to scratch but would be longer lasting and more versatile than a pure stick welder.

Would something like this be a good starting point?
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke- ... er-welder/

That's should be fine for now. By the time you gain the skill level to repair parts of cars, you can throw it away and buy a real TIG/stick welder with the money you will have saved up (it will be about 2-8 yrs minimum anyways).

Oscar wrote: (it will be about 2-8 yrs minimum anyways).

Don't be saying things like that, I'll get demoralised before I even plug it in!!!

Bovril wrote:

Oscar wrote: (it will be about 2-8 yrs minimum anyways).

Don't be saying things like that, I'll get demoralised before I even plug it in!!!

Nothing to do with morals. This is coming from experience. It's the whole reason I started welding. Bought my first TIG in 2009. By the time I had enough skill to work on my longtube headers, it was 2013.

They look amazing, what are they off?
No, I'm happy to begin with stick and see how it takes me, both in keeping my attention and developing the skills and technique before I'm ready to move on. I'm really looking forward to starting, I've wanted to learn for years.

Bovril wrote:They look amazing, what are they off?
No, I'm happy to begin with stick and see how it takes me, both in keeping my attention and developing the skills and technique before I'm ready to move on. I'm really looking forward to starting, I've wanted to learn for years.

They're were made by MAC for Ford Mustang 4.6L SOHC engines, but I modified them for my 1997 Mercury Cougar which has the same engine, but engine bay layout is completely different, hence the need to modify them.

Bovril wrote:I've been mulling this over a bit. I'd like to be able to do some fabrication of metal frames etc, but also eventually to be able to repair my car once my skill level permits this.
With this in mind I'm wondering if a TIG/stick welder be a better option for something that could get me up to scratch but would be longer lasting and more versatile than a pure stick welder.

Would something like this be a good starting point?
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke- ... er-welder/

i would get separate machines.
a cheap basic stick welder for learning is great. when your up to speed on that, then you can look at getting a tig machine or mig welder. by then you will have much better understanding of what you need and all the other tools you will need.

the basic stick welder becomes a handy go to your mates place and fix stuff welder.
they are still useful, very handy. so no need to throw it out. (just make sure its runs on your domestic household power).
i used mine the other day because the job was to dirty for tig, mig takes way to long to setup and dial in. stick welder does the job.