And the smoke was thick

[deacon]

Yeah my welder caught fire. Actually the cord burned. I had my back to it welding when the smell hit me. Then the cloud of smoke covered me and the whole shop. I debated replacing the cord, but I really want a new welder. I bought that one used on ebay. So I think I'll get another rod welder. I really do like those in spite of all I hear about wire being better.

Anyway when the cord goes, it will stink up your shop and blow the breaker. One mell of a hess.

[BarelyAWake]

"Better" is a matter of opinion... maybe practice lol

While I do prefer MIG myself, it's only because I'm lazy and prefer gas shielding. I suppose TIG is best for these bikes... but I've never much liked TIG welding lol There's much to be said for stick welding and those that can do it well!

Sux that you incinerated the cord, if the machine worked well - why replace all of it? I imagine it was just a short...

Not that I'm one to discourage a new toy

[deacon]

To be honest I took a good look a the inside wiring and the routing of the wiring and switch along with the ground all concerned me. The welding was working fine. I think it just had a ratty wiring system. I have an idea I will wind up with another 70amp welder but one with a variable heat control this time.

I got hold of some bad rods and they were not sustaining a burn so I switched to some 1/16 rods for the job I had yesterday. Just welding two sprockets together. After a sustained burn the welder went up. It probably would have gone up days ago, if I had a long sustained burn.

Anyway, it has become a necessary part of my bike building arsenal of tools. I had no idea how necessary it had become to me. Yesterday I welded a slight warped sprocket to a slightly smaller but perfectly flat sprocket. I welded scooter sprockets to bike sprockets when I was building the electric pusher trailers. I just can't attach them with bolts and get the same results.

[Bikeguy Joe]

Deacon- You can buy an adjustable Clarke 95E stick (120v) welder at Sears for under a hundred.

[deacon]

I looked on sears website and couldn't find any clark welders and nothing much under 200.. I'm going with a northern tool 70 amp adjustable for 80 bucks. 70amps was plenty I just got hold of a box of bad rods and then the wire burned up. I'm going to toss the rods and guy a new welder just as soon as I need it. Right now I don't need it so I'm holding off buying it. I called northern tool and they have 4 in stock so I figure I can wait a week or two. My luck there will be a price increase. lol..

[TheOtherStyle]

So...you..um....want whats left of that welder? Cause...I'd..um...take it off your hands if you don't.... I love rewiring things... And god I want to learn to weld

[DOC BOLM]

Deacon Before you buy a welder look at the duty cycle.The higher the % is the better it is.At 10 min a 30% duty cycle machine must be rested 7 min.after a 3 min weld,if not rested the wireing will over heat and burn.H.D.

[deacon]

Ah Thanks doc, that's probably what happened to my last one. I had no idea what the cycle was since I bought it used, and it had been painted over so if there were any decals they were gone. I hope the one I am buying has the automatic rest feature. i am lousy with times.

Sorry guys I sent it to the trash and it was picked up this morning.

[Bikeguy Joe]

Did your rods absorb moisture? I find that when I am having trouble with getting a bead started, or keeping one going, the rods are damp and 30 minutes at 350 in the oven will bake them nicely.

[deacon]

I bought an open pack. I think they absorbed the moisture from the store humidity. That or somebody brought them back because they wouldn't burn. I was told not to put that particular rod in an oven. I have no idea why. I might give it a try anyway when I next use them. I actually liked that 1/16 rod. I was welding a couple of sprockets together and it did a really nice job. I'm going to use them more often I think.