Welder advice

I checked around for classes but the VoTech schools no longer have "audit" type classes for folks like me. The only thing they have is full freight tuition for those pursuing a degree. For what I pay in taxes to the VoTech school, why should I expect something anything in return.

BTW, bought a Hobart 210 MVP and got an 80 cubic foot bottle of C25.
Hobart Handler 210MVP MIG Welder | Blain's Farm & Fleet

 

Congratulations!! You should be a happy welder.

 

Yes, and very descriptive too!

 

So now that the OP's original question has been satisfied... Nobody falls in the TIG camp here? I know the OP said he wasn't interested/didn't suit his needs so didn't want to derail the thread. Depending on the intended purpose a TIG may not be appropriate but I think a lot of guys that grew up doing arc & MIG just don't give the TIG the credit it deserves.
A friend of mine is that way, grew up with old transformer MIG's & Stick and even though he has a TIG also now, he just can't seam to weld if there isn't sparks and slag flying everywhere.

 

AHHHHH yes fond memories of broiled maggots worst was the welding on the trucks themselves at least you could get away from the dumpsters but you had to lay in trucks on your back sometimes and that airco welder looks like a AEAD 200 with a onan 16 or 18 horse great machine

 

95% tig here. Mig I really don't care for although it has it's place and stick is just so versatile especially outdoors.

 

Screwloose have you tig welded magnesium?? I want to try to fix a couple of old saw parts (Homelite) and they are magnesium alloy I have done aluminum tig any suggestions for rod ?? JB

 

It welds just like aluminum....dirty nasty oxide that you need to remove even from your filler rod. Maybe a bit less heat needed but you still need to go for it for if you take too long things can turn to mush. Not sure on exactly what rod is best because I never know what exactly I am welding so I get a general purpose one of their choice. It's pricey so see if you can just get 1 or 2 lengths. Any more and it gets ugly oxidized just sitting.
Welder Dave can probably elaborate more than I can.

By their choice I mean my local welding supply.

 

The rod you use for welding on chainsaws is AZ92A. There is a few of use around who have done some work on chainsaws.

 

Another project.

 

Congrats on your new welder. A good machine can make it a lot easier to get the task at hand done.

 

One more this one is on a old Homelite using AZ92A mag rod.

 

Nice work. Do you back-gas the magnesium or just depend on the gas shielding from the torch side?

 

No back gas. I set it up close to welding aluminum and use the argon gas shielding at the nozzle. You do get a lot of soot from welding on chainsaws. I do not know if it is from the casting itself or because of all the oil that chainsaws are exposed to. I always sand blast first which does help cut down on the soot and some of the pitting.
When I first started I practiced on a old crankcase just running beads to get used to the look of the puddle and how it flows.

I am not a professional welder just a hobby and self taught. A lot of UTube. It just takes practice and a desire to learn.

 

The soot is magnesium oxide. Some of the vaporized magnesium is getting oxygen mixed in. Trying a gas lens might reduce some of the turbulence.

 

Thanks a lot for the info got a few projects i have to get to JB

 

I thought using a gas lens was standard on Mig and Tig.

 

No, in fact I have never heard of one for mig. It is optional for tig and basically creates a laminar flow with little turbulence. Also try upping the power your welding at and turn the cleaning up. You want the impurities to float out.

 

maybe I am misunderstanding what you mean by a gas lens. Do you have a picture of one.