Newbie Questions . . .

[strez]

I've been wanting to learn to weld for some time now. I finally made the plunge and purchased a Lincoln SP175T wire feed welder.

Made my first ever welds this weekend -- not very pretty, but each one is generally better than the last. Started out with the FCAW process, because I have not purchased a bottle of gas yet.

Anyway, on to my question. I'd like my first real project to be one of these.

For those that don't know, that thing is called a 'toothbar', and is bolted to the cutting edge of a loader bucket. I have the individual teeth, they're pretty beefy pieces of metal. I would be welding them to a 3/8" thick piece of steel, just like in the picture.

Do you think I can fabricate this with the welder I have? I'm afraid I picked a poor project for my first, as I don't think my welder is ideal for this task -- probably would be better off with a stick welder for this project. What do you think?

-Jeff

[1911Man]

Welcome strez- like you I'm fairly new to welding so I'll let the more experienced guys advise you. Was there a picture of the work- that would help. Anyway be patient and you'll get an answer soon.

I would say that it may be a stretch for your machine, even using FCAW. If do do try this: PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, and BEVEL every weld.

Welcome to the forum!

[Franz]

Welcome to the nuthouse, and the answer to the toothbar is NO!
The amount of stress a toothbar encounters is phenominal, and your machine just isn't up to that work, even in the hands of a skilled weldor.
Also, I think you're way ahead of your skill level attempting a project like a tooth bar. You need to first fully learn to run beads, and then move along a step at a time. It's all about practice, and improving your skills.

[Markopolo]

Welcome strez.....I'll cast my vote for stick....and, as paychk said: "Bevel every joint" ! I think you could do it with flux-core, (it does have better penetration than true mig), but I would take pains to get that first bead in there perfect !....then start "filling her up".

[Markopolo]

P.S. . . . If you DO try it with your machine, it's going to be "slow-going !

Franz....most wire feed is at least 70,000 tensile.....don't you think that's strong enough ?

[david_r]

strez,
Jim probably welded that with his Thunderbolt 300.

You always have the option of tacking your project together and then finding someone to stick weld it for you.

[7018]

I think it would be better to weld it with a stick welder using some 10018 i dont think ur mig is big enough to do the job!! welcome to the world of welding

[Franz]

Originally posted by Markopolo
P.S. . . . If you DO try it with your machine, it's going to be "slow-going !

Franz....most wire feed is at least 70,000 tensile.....don't you think that's strong enough ?

YUP, the deposit is 70k as welded, BUT 70k don't mean **** if it ain't burned into the parent metal.
Tooth bars are a wonderous thing, but they take one hell of a beatin in use, and I just never saw any reason to build something halfassed so I could repair it.

[strez]

Originally posted by Markopolo
Welcome strez.....I'll cast my vote for stick....and, as paychk said: "Bevel every joint" ! I think you could do it with flux-core, (it does have better penetration than true mig), but I would take pains to get that first bead in there perfect !....then start "filling her up".

I've read to "bevel every joint" so much that I actualy believe it is good practice . . .

Anyway, how do I bevel a joint that is already 90 degrees? I understand the beveling concept when you are making a butt joint, but on a corner joint it makes no sense to me. What am I missing?

-Jeff

[MAC702]

I don't think it is as critical on fillet welds, but you definitely would get a little extra bite by beveling just the upright on the "T", though you wouldn't have to bevel it as much as if it were a butt joint.

[Sandy]

Originally posted by strez
I've been wanting to learn to weld for some time now. I finally made the plunge and purchased a Lincoln SP175T wire feed welder.

Anyway, on to my question. I'd like my first real project to be one of these.

For those that don't know, that thing is called a 'toothbar', and is bolted to the cutting edge of a loader bucket. I have the individual teeth, they're pretty beefy pieces of metal. I would be welding them to a 3/8" thick piece of steel, just like in the picture.

Do you think I can fabricate this with the welder I have? I'm afraid I picked a poor project for my first, as I don't think my welder is ideal for this task -- probably would be better off with a stick welder for this project. What do you think?

-Jeff

Hey Strez, How you liking the welder so far?

Any way I guess the First question should be----is it your machine? Next would be is it one of the compacts tractors? And third, if it is yours, would you be terribly upset with some down time if it doesn't work?

[strez]

Originally posted by Sandy
Hey Strez, How you liking the welder so far?

Any way I guess the First question should be----is it your machine? Next would be is it one of the compacts tractors? And third, if it is yours, would you be terribly upset with some down time if it doesn't work?

I think the welder stinks, because it doesn't run a nice bead or get good penetration.

Seriously though, I'm sure it's a weldor problem, not a welder problem. This is the first time I've ever welded, the only welder I've ever used, so my reply to that question is not worth much of anything

Yes, the machine is my compact tractor. I'm willing to experiment, and I am willing to accept some down time if it doesn't work.

I'm thinking I will just tack it all together with my welder and bring it to a pro for stick welding as another poster suggested. Then again, I may get the urge to just give it a try anyway and see how it works out, after another several hours of practice, of course.

-Jeff

[Sandy]

Originally posted by strez


Seriously though, I'm sure it's a weldor problem, not a welder problem. This is the first time I've ever welded, the only welder I've ever used, so my reply to that question is not worth much of anything

Yes, the machine is my compact tractor. I'm willing to experiment, and I am willing to accept some down time if it doesn't work.

-Jeff

Stez,

Your welding and welding pleasure will increase as time goes on. Soon you'll slappin iron to anything that doesn't get out of the way!!!!!!!!!

If it's your machine it's sort of a "no harm no foul" affair. If a tooth comes off, you pick it up and put it back on and learn something in the process. Your tooth bar is bolt on so you won't be causing any damage to the bucket itself. It's made for that.

Actually theres the tooth bar, the frog (tooth holder) and the tooth itself. People lose teeth, keep on working and wear out the frog. The frog then has to be cut off or ground off and replaced all the time. There is sort of a fine line between welding one on to where it holds under extreme duty and goobering it on so heavy it's a real pain to replace it.

Give it a go and see. It's all 100% re-doable.

Originally posted by Sandy
<snip> There is sort of a fine line between welding one on to where it holds under extreme duty and goobering it on so heavy it's a real pain to replace it. <snip>

LOL! Great description!