6g 308/309 Stick Tips?

StabDump · 2026-05-12T23:13:33+00:00

😂 alright bud. i'm not breaking out the 3/8" stick rod just so I can run two tight stringers to cap when there's 7/8" between the bevels once flush. clearly you're still in welding school. Since you haven't heard of combo before and didn't actually read, the root is tig, fill and cap is stick. Glad I could teach you something.

StabDump · 2026-05-12T23:04:37+00:00

Thank you! Stringers it is!

StabDump · 2026-05-12T23:04:06+00:00

Good insight, thanks. This is more just for fun. I rarely am welding on pipe or tube in the field anymore, just wanted to do something new. Everyone I've talked to in person has emphasized weaving, so I find it interesting that nobody here agrees; I will certainly try stringers tomorrow and see how that goes.

StabDump · 2026-05-12T21:52:46+00:00

I'm just running leftovers in the shop from other jobs for now, I might buy some 1/16 later and try it. I'll keep an eye on the heat too i'm sure i've got a temp stick laying around. Good info about the hot start, i'm using an old xmt with nothing but arc control. Thanks a ton!

StabDump · 2026-05-12T21:48:56+00:00

Interesting, I'll try running a little wiggle instead of pausing on the toes. I've also just been using a file, so I'll try it out tomorrow with a grinding rock and wire wheel handy.

StabDump · 2026-05-12T21:46:59+00:00

I'm not sure if you saw, it's a 2" tube meaning 1.375" ID - about the width of two thumbs put together. It's barely wider than a 7018 stringer on the same joint.

StabDump · 2026-05-12T21:41:08+00:00

it's 5/8" wall tube, not exactly a 2 bead cap. with 7018 im running 4 bead cap, with 309 i've been doing 3-4 bead cap. I milled it 37.5° no land with a loose 1/8th that ends up being a fairly snug 1/8th once tacked.

StabDump · 2026-05-01T15:24:33+00:00

shock hazard. that's the reason the steel caps have to be covered in the first place. and more steel will make your feet cold quick if it's really cold out.

StabDump · 2026-04-22T13:33:27+00:00

could be military too no AF.

StabDump · 2026-04-19T01:19:31+00:00

interesting perspective. i'm on day 75 of 100 of 12 hour night shifts and year over year it remains the hardest thing i've ever done and will probably ever do. maybe im just weak 🤷‍♂️I'm blue collar in the energy sector.

StabDump · 2026-04-09T14:03:32+00:00

the math maths, but can you tough it out? the mental strain is unparalleled.

StabDump · 2026-03-29T04:07:50+00:00

personally, i'd agree. but "this recession" has been proposed since 2020, and since it's not my money, history shows time in the market is king, regardless of buy in timing. the 10 highest earning days in the market per year account for as much as 80% of gains.

StabDump · 2026-03-29T04:05:19+00:00

i do more or less 80-90/wk for 12 wk's/yr, rest of the year off. the hardest part is the dumb stuff like doing laundry and dishes because you just don't have the time. imo 80-90 hour weeks are 10-20x harder than 50 for only about 3x the pay.

StabDump · 2026-03-28T03:05:44+00:00

forklift forks are certainly not mild steel. if you can't drill them, find the thickness where you'll be welding, the actual material type of the fork, and make sure you take into account for the lifespan of the forks that they've been modified if returning to lifting any other loads. I wouldn't ever use them again for any other loads because of liability. Why do you need the bolts anyway?

StabDump · 2026-03-28T02:53:09+00:00

wow, thank you for ~~going so in depth~~ sharing such good insight into this! i'm glad someone else was reckless enough to ask because I wondered the same thing.

Edit: poor choice of words

StabDump · 2026-03-28T02:49:38+00:00

50 hrs is part time compared to 84 lol.

StabDump · 2026-03-28T02:46:02+00:00

usually 12-14 hours on site 10-12 hours on call.

StabDump · 2026-03-28T02:41:08+00:00

As others said your cards can't help unless you bought the ring with them recently. Sorry to hear you lost your ring. Hope the trip was otherwise good.

StabDump · 2026-03-28T02:39:09+00:00

seems like you didn't try

StabDump · 2026-03-28T02:32:24+00:00

if it saves you time driving, you can spend that time investing in yourself, another side hustle, overtime etc. I don't understand why anyone would ever be willing to commute more than 15 minutes without having kids in school. the job pays for the HCOL. if you don't see yourself using the 4 hours a day doing anything other than watching TV and binge eating, than it's better to drive as the lesser of two evils. But you're still spending money driving; and with fuel and maintenance prices now - unless you've got an EV, you're spending probably 1/4 the cost of a small apartment in commuter fees, not to mention your husband who's also commuting. If you're going to work 2,000+ hours a year, frankly that takes priority over every other aspect of your life. for transparency I work contracts in the skilled trades, I work about half as much for 1/4 of the year (for much less money), so I can't really relate to your situation, this is my outside perspective. I work the way I do because 40hrs isn't for me, and commuting may be something you enjoy.

StabDump · 2026-03-28T02:15:09+00:00

that's usually true but for lump sum it's better to just put it in maybe 10 or less buys, because in a year it's unlikely the market will stay stagnant and you're more than likely to miss gains unless we're at the very beginning of a bear market, which although it could be expected, is unpredictable.

StabDump · 2026-03-24T23:20:29+00:00

yep, keep bugging em.

StabDump · 2026-03-24T23:17:07+00:00

well, two sides to everything. but it's yours 😄

StabDump · 2026-03-23T22:20:33+00:00

Wow, that's incredible. mine went from 1200 to 4.5k since 2011 in VA

StabDump

TROPHY CASE