oldmule
Active member
I think I have hit a wall and am getting frustrated now.
I have been gas welding since Jr. High, stick since then, but didn't get good till about 20 yrs ago. Then went to MIG in 85 when they first came out (I think) when I was working in a body shop in H.S.
I have owned a MIG for about the last 17 years and an ARC for 22. I tend to weld at least once a week unless I am building something big. It has always been relaxing and a total enjoyment for me. I am going to try TIG next, I bought a cheapie scratch TIG setup to play with.
BUT.....
I picked up this old 5th wheel camper trailer and started rebuilding it. To do so, I bought a Lincoln 8 generator welder - for the 7018 rods I wanted to use. I have never burned 7018 because my old ARC welder is a 205amp AC unit (7014 & 6011). So I spend many a Saturday burning sticks. My flat welds are good, my vert welds suck and my upside down ones are just OK. Good enough to pass most eyes. Granted, I haven't sticked a trailer in about 8 years, but it should come back by now. The 7018s messed with me for a bit, but I figured them out. The heat seemed to require messing with a lot, I dang near burned a hole in 3/16 plate.
I have always welded to a professional level. The friend that sold me the welder owns a structural welding company and has always said my welds were better than most certified welders he employs and I MIG better than him.
So, I'm frustrated with my stick welding, grab my MIG and burn some wire. I loose it, my verts suck and it just doesn't feel right. I am sick right now, but that has never bothered me before. I just don't understand why I would be off that bad. BTW, I'm talking about welding up on the verts.
Has anyone experienced this? I'm at wits end..... I need to make the ramps, cross brace the upper level and mount the fenders. But, I'm not looking forward to it. I think I have burned about 10-12# of stick at this point.
I have been gas welding since Jr. High, stick since then, but didn't get good till about 20 yrs ago. Then went to MIG in 85 when they first came out (I think) when I was working in a body shop in H.S.
I have owned a MIG for about the last 17 years and an ARC for 22. I tend to weld at least once a week unless I am building something big. It has always been relaxing and a total enjoyment for me. I am going to try TIG next, I bought a cheapie scratch TIG setup to play with.
BUT.....
I picked up this old 5th wheel camper trailer and started rebuilding it. To do so, I bought a Lincoln 8 generator welder - for the 7018 rods I wanted to use. I have never burned 7018 because my old ARC welder is a 205amp AC unit (7014 & 6011). So I spend many a Saturday burning sticks. My flat welds are good, my vert welds suck and my upside down ones are just OK. Good enough to pass most eyes. Granted, I haven't sticked a trailer in about 8 years, but it should come back by now. The 7018s messed with me for a bit, but I figured them out. The heat seemed to require messing with a lot, I dang near burned a hole in 3/16 plate.
I have always welded to a professional level. The friend that sold me the welder owns a structural welding company and has always said my welds were better than most certified welders he employs and I MIG better than him.
So, I'm frustrated with my stick welding, grab my MIG and burn some wire. I loose it, my verts suck and it just doesn't feel right. I am sick right now, but that has never bothered me before. I just don't understand why I would be off that bad. BTW, I'm talking about welding up on the verts.
Has anyone experienced this? I'm at wits end..... I need to make the ramps, cross brace the upper level and mount the fenders. But, I'm not looking forward to it. I think I have burned about 10-12# of stick at this point.