250 gallon first build-HELP PLEASE!

[PoPs54]

Thanks, maccas. main thing I need is just more time.

[Gizmo]

Yeah I hear you on the more time.... I've been looking for a good deal on "round tuits" lately too.
I heard Mennards had them on special "Buy a dozen and get a paid vacation day"
Course they sold out nationally in about 12 minutes so I guess I'm S.O.L. on that one ...

[PoPs54]

And I guess they were not offering rain checks either?

[Gizmo]

That's right!

[The Czar]

man you are flying on this one.....how easy is that dude to push around on them casters....which is an awesome idea by the way...

[Smokeone]

Looking good! I have to say I like the SSS, you can warm your buns at the same time!

If you find that extra time, let me know, I could use some too.

[PoPs54]

Thanks dcman. Not flying fast enough. It moves without much effort at all. Casters are rated at 1000 pounds each. I went with casters because I didn't really have a good place to put a trailer mount. Wanted something big enough to feed a lot of people. If I decide to go to a cook off of something, I think I will still be able to get it up a ramp into a trailer. Might have to have a winch on the front of the trailer. Hopefully I get the best of both worlds.

[PoPs54]

Does anybody remember me or the build that I started? Well, I'm back! After neck surgery in June I have recovered, got a Lincoln 180 wire welder for my birthday, and moved all the parts for the build to my house. If I remember how to post pictures, I have a few.



Next pic is of my first weld. WARNING! THIS PHOTO HAS VERY GRAPHIC CONTENT AND IS NOT MEANT FOR JUST ANYBODY! Actually, Guinness Book of World Records awarded me the "Ugliest Weld Ever Award". In my defense, it was flux core, no gas, and my settings were way to hot.



Second attempt went a little better. I now have gas, and settings are where they should be.



Here is the fire box held together with magnets and leaning against the cook chamber.



Now ready to start welding it up.



I learned one lesson real fast. when you are set up on a work bench at the perfect height and position, and very comfortable, it is easy to make a decent looking weld joint, but get down on the floor out of position, and uncomfortable and it is a whole different story. I guess that will come with practice. I have a question for all you expert welders. Do you have any tips for me to see better while I am welding? My hood has a range of 9 to 13 for shade and on 9 I still have a very difficult time being able to see my seam. Any advice?

[Gizmo]

After a couple years welding at 10 and then 9 then about 6 months ago I ended up with an 8 on my hood and still thinking I'll go lighter - however, It is a dam sight better than the 10 it came with. I also changed out the lens (if you have that style) so the bottom of it is 2X magnification and that helped too since that's what my bifocals are... ask 'em at the welding store and see if they can't sell you the correct stuff. Don't buy a new helmet until you figure out your correct combination though .... good luck!

[Frank_Cox]

What helmet are you using? Is it the viking helmet that comes with the welder?

[jon in mass]

glad to have you back up and at it. hope you are feeling good.

[gatewood iron]

The very first thing I teach my students when we go into a welding booth is "to get comfortable." It's not always possible but do it if you can. I've spent many days layin on the ground just to be comfortable. And like Rick, I also use a shade 8 with a 2x cheater lens. It sucks in a way but no one else can use my hood, Ha!

[TuscaloosaQ]

Get rid of that flux core wire and get some 030 hard wire with some 75 argon and 25 CO2 and he will be stroking it will make a huge difference... I spent many years in welding X-Ray welds using the mig process on piping pressure vessels and so on. I can put root bead in pipe with the mig process and you would swear i heli arced it it will look like a weddding band on the inside. I have nothing against flux core wire and I am highly skilled with it but it has its places and I certainly want to use gas with it. Flux core wire wirh no gas/// ie inneshield is not worth a shat in my opinion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! on small welders

[gatewood iron]

Flux core wire wirh no gas/// ie inneshield is not worth a shat in my opinion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! on small welders

AYE! I agree. I Have my students spend a day on it to familairize themselves with it but thats about it. A few fillet welds and thats about it. They've got plenty of time to get into it later in their careers.

[PoPs54]

Thanks TuscaloosaQ-The flux core is definitely gone. I am running .035 and the 75/25. Would I be better off with the next wire I purchase being .030?

Thanks for the input Gatewood Iron and Rick. Do you feel like you are still getting adequate protection with the 8?

Hey Frank, good to hear from you. My helmet is a new Jackson Nex-Gen EQC. I think it is supposed to be a pretty good helmet. I received it as a birthday present.

jon in mass - thanks for the well wishes. It's great to be back on my project.

[TuscaloosaQ]

PoPs54 o35 will be fine on a smaller machine I often use 030 for it will require less volts and amps and give you a little room on duty cycle. With the 030 you can still carry relatively the same puddle and weld as 035..

gatewood iron sounds like you got those students on the right track keep up the good work we need good youngins coming up Im 51 and can still turn and burn but my eyes are starting to see the effects. I burned them many many many times or allowed someone else to

[gatewood iron]

PoPs54 o35 will be fine on a smaller machine I often use 030 for it will require less volts and amps and give you a little room on duty cycle. With the 030 you can still carry relatively the same puddle and weld as 035..

gatewood iron sounds like you got those students on the right track keep up the good work we need good youngins coming up Im 51 and can still turn and burn but my eyes are starting to see the effects. I burned them many many many times or allowed someone else to

Thanks TQ, I'm tryin.

[PoPs54]

Thanks TuscaloosaQ, I will give the .030 a try.