For any of you guys that use a MIG, TIG or Stick welder.
EW's 9-10 are no longer available for this type of welding.
EW11-14 are still available though.
Just a small question, who uses a Electric Welder as part of thier daily job?
Or as part of a hobby (Car fabrication, Hot Rodding)
I've been welding with all types of equipment since I was 9 y/old,(Grand-son of a Black-smith)and sat my Qualified Welders
Certificate NZS 4711 at age 14, in all positions and materials.
But there have been some really good advances in technology as far as weldors helmets go.
Like the helmet that gives Positive-Pressure fresh air and also darkens automatically upon striking the initial arc.
It's all getting better!.
Don't you think?.

I like the new helmets Trumpy. I don't do near the welding I used to, but still do a bit of repair work for folks sometimes.

Mostly stick,I have a small mig for the lighter stuff. Never owned a Tig,be nice tho.

I always found the #10 abit light for Mig,but I liked it for stick. #11 is a good compromise.

Btw,I was a certified welder 25 yrs ago,but I don't think I'd pass as one now.LOL

Thanks Russell,
Yeah welding is in my blood you could say.
And somewhere along the line I must have lost the plot and ended up being an Electrician.
But I teach all of my apprentices how to stick-weld properly, there was a time when us boys had to know how to weld, even Galvanised if you were really unlucky! .

Welding galvanized is pretty stinky business Trumpy.

I know that for a fact Russell!.
I spent three months Hard-Facing Plough Shears, which are Galvanised over here, to stop rusting, with our acidic soil.
I got into the Fire Service to get out of that nasty situation.
Every morning I had to drink 2 litres of Milk to keep the lining on my stomach.
I've never done Galvanised since, thank God!.

Trumpy, the best thing about modern welding helmets in my mind,are the wide-angle lenses. Much better look at what you're doing imho.

The older ones with the little 2 x3 lenses were terrible compared to the new ones.

Hey, I got a trailer a guy brought me to fix,how 'bout a little help?

Russell

Hey Russ,
Is there a requirement in the US for a Weldor to have a "ticket" to do Structural stuff?.
Over here a Trailer would classify as Structural as, if it failed, it could cause HUGE damage.
Here it is called NZS 4711.
And Russ, I do agree with you, the newer helmets do give a lot better field of vision and also a better grade of vision.
My Grand-Dad used to insist on a hand-held mask, I changed his mind, the headband type is the only way to go!.

Different trades have different welding requirements but it is common for a welder to have to pass "certification" tests for the particular job or company he works for. Specialized projects can require their own certification and even a long time welder will have to pass the tests for that project. That being said, a huge ammount of maintenance welding is done by whoever says they can weld. I welded on ammusement rides and never was tested for anything. As far as a helmet, I've got an autodark 9-12 unit. I love the automatic feature but, at 55, my eyes are not a sensative as they once were and I am finding shade 9 a tad to dark with my flux cored wire welder in varing outside lighting conditions. I recently found one advertised that claims 7-12. I am going to look at it closer.

Big Jim,
Thanks for your input mate!.
Yes, I have wanted an Auto Shade helmet for a few years now, just can't afford one and also it's not really a great priority at the moment either.

I have a nice mig with the tank on it and auto darken mask. Left to me from my father a few years back. I would love to know how to weld as oposed to the welding I am able to do now, if you call it welding.
Whats the best way to learn? Practice in the garage or a class?

Joey,
The best way to learn welding, in my opinion, is to get as much Scrap as you can and take to it, with a Stick (Electric Arc) welder.
Stick welding is the simplest form of welding, and you will learn heaps out of correct current and arc length.
Using Rutile rods with ordinary Mild Steel, of sizes between 1/16" and 1/4" plate, you soon learn just how things "fit together".
I would not start welding with a MIG welder!.
I am a certified (ticketed) Welder here in New Zealand and having sat exams in all welding positions, those of which I will explain below, I would like to think that anyone that I advised, would try to get somewhere near it!.
I was an Industrial Weldor, before I joined the NZ Fire Service.
But, here it is:

• Butt Weld- Do one weld with 2 pieces of 1/4" Mild Steel, butted up together.
• Fillet Weld- A weld on a piece of 1/4" plate at a degree of 45 to the Horizontal plane.
• T-Weld-Do a weld on both sides of a T joint and give that joint strength to a 40 MPa force.
• Vertical Up-Hand- Weld a Cylindrical ducting of 2metre (6ft) diameter, while the tube is rotating and give good penetration to the joint.
• Vertical Down-Hand- Weld 2 pieces of 1" thick steel, from top to bottom, this is a timed test.
• Horizontal Up-Hand- Do a weld of 6ft with 1/4" plate, with good penetration in 2 minutes.

I hold NZS 4711 here, I am a Structural Welder.
I've used all types of welders, Stick,Oxy/Acetylene, MIG, TIG also a CNC welding Plant.

Well, I found one of those autodark helmets that goes from 7 to 12. It is just the ticket for welding in panels on the motorhome I am restoring. Prices for the lower end automatics are about $50 US now. After using one, I wouldn't even suggest anyone start welding today without one.

Guys,
I've stuck with the Nod-down mask, over the years.
Mask is on a swivel on each side of your head, nod and you are covered.
EW 11 is my shade!.

I like to bend my Rutile rods, to work to the situation, 4mm + coating.
I've welded upside-down, side-ways even Cylindrical in a turning Chimney.
JUst depends on where you are!.

Over here its AWS D 1.1 for structural with the different positions and wld descriptions about the same.

I learned how to wled with OFW frist then stick, then TIG then MIG.

On the job there are too many people who think that just because they can make the bright light they are a welder.

If you have the time I would suggest any one that wants to learn to weld take a class or ahve someone who knows how give them some instruction. Just a few hours with the right person can make a world of difference.

Last thing I welded on was the floor rails of a burn off oven welding mild steel to stainless plate.

Youre right Trumpy--no body in their right mind likes to weld on galvanized metal. I've had metal fever from it twice and it aint no fun...

I was a welder for 7 years, though I haven't done it in ages. I can't recall the chemical name from trade school-something like zinc oxide given off by welding galvanized steel.

It's not just stinky guys....

IT'S POISONOUS!!!