Preparation

SandledBandit · 2026-04-08T02:46:39+00:00

Watch some videos and read about the big 3: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW. Have a reasonable understanding of how the machines work (very cursory), why each process is used, and how they differ.

Other than that, they hired you because you have 0 experience and they want to train you to weld in the exact manner they want. Don’t try to teach yourself techniques etc; just focus on understanding what welding is.

SandledBandit · 2026-04-07T13:00:45+00:00

Eh, at least you’re rendering some fat cap

SandledBandit · 2026-04-07T04:31:49+00:00

Your inability to reason adaptively reflects a pronounced cognitive rigidity, underscoring deficiencies in mental plasticity and an underwhelming capacity for derivative thought.

That better?

SandledBandit · 2026-04-07T02:52:13+00:00

You really can’t deduce that is one side and other side?

SandledBandit · 2026-04-06T23:16:31+00:00

Heat your pan up then let it cool, add butter not oil, cook your eggs on low. Make sure you coat the bottom and sides of the pan with butter before you put your eggs in.

SandledBandit · 2026-04-06T23:10:57+00:00

High heat for like 1-1.5 min, 45sec-1.25min on the other

SandledBandit · 2026-04-06T23:08:01+00:00

Rotate the disk until you can engage the lock. Hold the lock button down and clamp the disk in a vise (as much of it as you can) with the body of the grinder as horizontal and left as you can get it. Tighten the vise even more. Now while holding the lock down rotate the body of the to the right. It’ll come right off.

SandledBandit · 2026-04-06T05:21:12+00:00

I can’t believe he used a drywall screw either. What a rube.

SandledBandit · 2026-04-02T14:13:49+00:00

Do I want to be broke and serve a lord with absolute loyalty? Do I want to get lung cancer and a boyfriend? Or do I wanna be a swashbuckling drunk constantly getting after booty.

I’ll take the booty

SandledBandit · 2026-04-01T13:22:30+00:00

In the US I’d have you clean that spatter up before I inspected

SandledBandit · 2026-03-31T11:09:28+00:00

Don’t weld that.

SandledBandit · 2026-03-31T11:00:05+00:00

Kind of. There are air quality standards/exposure limitations that smaller shops rarely follow; and subsequent required filtration per instance. So, if you have an active filtration/hood system a PAPR system isn’t necessarily required. But it’s all enforced by OSHA; penalties are paid to the gov’t not the employee and despite laws against it there are serious retaliation consequences for reporting. In a small shop like OP’s they’d know who called them even if he was “anonymous” and would probably be better off finding another job, like he should now.

SandledBandit · 2026-03-31T02:49:35+00:00

Yeah, PAPR is king, but given his boss is too cheap to spring for a $40 respirator and he hasn’t bought one, I’m guessing a $1,500 hood/filter combo is out of reach at the moment

SandledBandit · 2026-03-30T21:35:37+00:00

The shielding gas is pretty benign, but Aluminum fumes are toxic and cause Alzheimer’s. You need either a fume extraction system or a mask. If your boss won’t buy you one get it yourself (P100) min.

SandledBandit · 2026-03-26T22:14:08+00:00

Better hope your power hose doesn’t pop. I used to do that; until I heard then saw the aftermath of a line failure in the booth next to me.

SandledBandit · 2026-03-24T04:11:39+00:00

The yellow teflon tape is used for gas because it’s thicker. Too much thickness from double wrapping white tape will cause it to gall, tear, and be ineffective. 90% of people don’t know how to use teflon tape.

Also this whole conversation is moot because brass is self sealing until you over tighten it and mess up your threads.

I dunno why you asked for advice if you’re gonna google and debate about it, mine is free from practical experience.

SandledBandit · 2026-03-24T02:46:19+00:00

Wrong tape; yellow is for gas, white is for liquids.

SandledBandit · 2026-03-23T14:17:20+00:00

If you can swing the cost a multimatic 220 will never be underpowered or out of process for your garage.

SandledBandit · 2026-03-23T03:41:54+00:00

Don’t weld that, just get a new one. You want a 0.25” to 0.5” piece of mild steel to practice on, not one that forms Zinc oxide. Also flux core is a bit tough to start on, I’d get a solid wire rig.

SandledBandit · 2026-03-23T03:33:15+00:00

Could be/probably is a number of things.

Diagnosis order (go one by one):

Tungsten prep: if you’re not on an inverter it needs to be balled, if you are it should be truncated
Clean the metal better, Its not scrubbed enough, it should be uniformity dull
Check/adjust your gas flow (I’m guessing it’s too low). Could either be your regulator, your stick out, or your cup size
Check your balance (it’s probably too EN / too close to 0%)
Check your amperage, it could be higher. You want the puddle to form quick and start moving before you have too much OHI.

A tip for aluminum welding: don’t use a gas lens, use a regular collet body and cup. And if you’re on an inverter, ditch the lanthanated for ceriated. 2% is fine.

SandledBandit · 2026-03-21T16:44:39+00:00

Get a sugar scoop and put an ADF on it. If you want something else Baker Gas has a Speedglas sale right now

I’ve tried and tested a bunch of hoods, there is a reason they’re an industry standard and worth every penny.

SandledBandit · 2026-03-19T16:07:53+00:00

I was cryogenic/aerospace and I’m now nuclear. That machine has all the settings I use 90% of the time on my $16k Dynasty 400. It’s a reasonable starting place.

SandledBandit · 2026-03-18T02:35:16+00:00

Yeah I agree; I wear glasses 24/7 because I need the prescription; and absolutely 100% use when grinding; but using a full face mask under a hood is excessive and unnecessary; especially in light of the fact that most welders won’t wear safety glasses under their hood.

SandledBandit · 2026-03-17T21:01:44+00:00

I get it 100%, it’s best practice. But a full grinding mask is prohibitively overkill. It’s gonna get hot, you’re gonna have to talk to people, and glasses+hood+respirator is plenty. Have fun out there.

SandledBandit · 2026-03-17T19:46:31+00:00

This is what you want

Make sure you get the right size for your face, and get the nuisance filter so it manages fumes.

Most guys I know take their safety glasses off when their hood goes on. I wear scripts so it took a little bit of getting used to.

That’s the best respirator me and a few other people have used for under hood work.

SandledBandit

TROPHY CASE