Frustrated Novice

[Boydie]

Stomping around the shed, turning the air blue when significant other suggested that I ask you guys (since I "waste hours looking at the site")

Very much a tyro. Decided to make fancy doghouse out of the scrap left over from my new steel shed. Trying to stick weld 1.50mm sheet metal with 1.8 rod. Have dropped the amps down to 25-30, but still blowing ugly holes in metal and my patience. Even the steadiest hand leaves a line of separate globs.

Would post pictures, but I am 'shamed...

Suggestions? I am thinking of putting it all away and screwing it togther with brackets.

[Go1lum]

You need filler that is smaller than you base metal. Try to get some 6013 that is smaller and run it vertical down. That should work. Were is the 110V mig when you need one

[MicroZone]

You can use your existing equipment just take a different approach. Keep the amps down, overlap the sheets and put either an aluminum or copper backer behind the sheets. Then hit it with the stick real quick and tack it. Move a few inches down, tack it again...another few inches down, tack it. If you want the roof sealed, run down it with some clear or white caulking. You DON'T have to make a full run with the weld bead.

Try that and get back to us.

[Craig in Denver]

Boydie:
x2 for the two posts above.

The only reason for this post is to salute your sig.

One Law, One Culture, One Republic - if you don't like that, then leave...and don't come back.

[David R]

Screw it!

You could try electrode - it will put more heat into the electrode instead of the "plate"

1.5mm = .060"

1.8 electrode = 5/64?

You should be able to do it with a 1/16" electrode 1.5 mm

David

[Hideandseek]

a copper backing plate sure helps me. went and got 1 2' piece of 1" copper tubing cut it in half, 1 piece I flatened half of it and use the other half as a handle(gets hot quickly) then the other half I flatened it all to be able to clap it or use magnets to hold it on.