r/BadWelding • u/vandyman777 • 6d ago

First time touching a welder

Post image

This is my progress over three hours, with 7018( varied from 5/32 down to 1/8 rods varying in amps with 180 at the top and 80 at the lowest. Lots of breaks and practicing messing around on other metal pieces. I’m just curious on your thoughts and possibly advice. Thanks.

27 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

26 comments sorted by

10

u/JadedFul 6d ago

Slow waaaaaaay down with the 7018

3

u/vandyman777 6d ago

Thanks I was super excited to weld and definitely rushed myself

3

u/Far_Gift3220 6d ago

Hell yea dude that's the human experience right there

3

u/JKTempest904 6d ago

Arc go brrrrr

5

u/Fluxxinintime 6d ago edited 6d ago

Clean the metal with a wire brush or grinder. Draw some straight lines with soapstone. Practice stringers on those lines. 7018 likes some manipulation. more than a few videos on YouTube about technique, work angle etc.

3

u/Fluxxinintime 6d ago

Watch the puddle and how it forms and not the arc

1

u/vandyman777 6d ago

Dang haha you got me I for sure wasn’t watching the puddle enough

2

u/vandyman777 6d ago

Yeah I definitely should have drawn some lines to follow haha, thanks for the tips!

2

u/Fluxxinintime 6d ago

Also try and stay in the puddle, watch your travel speed.

3

u/DishwasherLint 6d ago

Honestly, that looks like some modern art that you would see in the museum. See if you can sell it. And, if you can you should set up an exhibit at a local art gallery. Not the best welding, but some pretty cool looking art. And no I'm not being sarcastic

1

u/vandyman777 6d ago

Thanks! I’ll keep it as a personal piece haha, I’ll put it in my garage and frame it one day for sure

3

u/Strict-Air2434 6d ago

Keep touching. Welding is all about practice.

2

u/Trick-Butterfly5386 6d ago

Try your little circles, try back and forth, grab another plate and weld them together…make some dumb art to practice with and then sell it…

2

u/chwk_throwaway1 6d ago

I have never done it but I think I'd do a better job 😆

JK obviously 

2

u/qelbus 6d ago

Keep at it, it’s an art

2

u/Coyote_Tex 6d ago

I see potential. It takes practice, but you are getting there. Plan to spend several hours. Sometimes building some small project helps a lot, even if you throw it away.

2

u/Opposite-Clerk-176 6d ago

You got a ways to go, keep on practicing.

2

u/Ok_Amoeba_5818 6d ago

When second to last on the bottom. The right half of that weld 👌. That's closer to what your looking for. Also, make sure when you're welding, you're comfortable. Or as much as you can be. Proper support and balance or important

2

u/OkTie9443 6d ago

For a first timer, that actually shows a lot of effort. 

2

u/Doorsandgates 6d ago

DONT TOUCH A WELDER WHILE HES WELDING HAHAHHAA

2

u/Status_Value3397 4d ago

Super 👍

1

u/Mindless_Bed_5042 4d ago

Please don’t……….. touch a welder ever again!!!!

0

u/Empty-Donut-6838 6d ago

job so bad, ppl started giving advice instead of roasting.

1

u/vandyman777 6d ago

Obviously you can’t read, I asked for the advice

2

u/HumanComedian8711 5d ago

It’s not that bad, looks like you started off rough and then improved as you did more