I just turned 46 ....For some reason it was getting harder and harder to do a good weld . Thought I was going crazy , turns out I just needed a pair of x2 readers(glasses)

I do alot of minor dents with a shrinking hammer ,especially thin newer cars .


.026 mig wire was another big improvement .

Body filler ,I cant say BONDO ..
I just found this Platinum +3 from marson . 3M just bought them still good .
If you use alot of evercoat glaze (green ) bottle the Platinum will save some money . Platinum feathers great ,especally when its thin. 18 bucks a gallon . Evercoat is like 40 for a bottle :willy:
Ever see that Bondo bazzooka from 3M ??:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Just another quick plug for a nice helmet. We bought an Optrel when we bought our tig. I can't stand to use other helmets now.

Also, my Dad struggled with the tig and realized that he needed to be wearing his reading glasses. For the most part, he just let's me do the tig welding, which I'm fine with.......I can use the practice!

I've found that my welding glasses are very useful for reading.

jp

Quick update ..... I made SEVERAL changes. First I spent more time fitting the metal for a tighter fit,big difference!! Then I figured out I had the voltage to low. I turned it up increased the wire speed way better! Kept everthing cool put more light on my work area and readjusted my helmet.Now I'm happy with my final result no swiss cheese,alot stronger weld ,overall a way better finished product!!!! Now I can finally move on... On to the tig....:_paranoid

Great to hear Mario. I'll be making adjustments based on this thread as well. Glad you started it!

Good to hear Mario!

Like most things --- you have to have a kind of "ah ha" moment... then things seem to go much better and the learning curve slopes off a bit and isn't quite so steep.

Don't forget to keep snipping the wire off as you go too. If you want really nice welds/tacks and good hot starts snip it at an angle. It takes less voltage to make the arc start and the wire is CLEAN and not balled up and contaminated.

If you're just working on a floor patch - then you don't have to do that - but if you're trying to be "mister metal" and have work that looks pro then snipping will "help". I also tend to keep my stick out on the short side.

Once you get the timing and heat down - you won't even need your helmet... you'll just hold it a pull the trigger and make a perfect tack. :cheers:

Hey guys, I have kinda been in the market for a new helmet. Anyway, based on your recommendations I looked up Optrel and I like what I see! Quick question, what model are we talkin'? I like the e680 as I can lower the shade a lot lower than my current helmet (9 is the lowest setting). The e670 look nice too with it's auto adjustments. I know on aluminum there is a lot of variation of brightness during the weld process. The price for the e680 is really attractive too!

I am mainly looking at low amp TIG welding as my current helmet "drops out" quite often. Tough to weld when you are seeing spots!

Thanks in advance!

Chris

Chris

Mario these guys are giving you GREAT advice!

Keep practicing! I agree with the start using the TIG thoughts too... Find some material and practice, practice, practice.

Did I miss Rodger answering what rod they use? I have tried using MIG wire as has been mentioned on here. Worked really well, I think next time I am going to cut a 6' section and twist it into a 3' "rod" so I get the melting point of the .030 but the filling of a .060 rod. I find I can get small voids at the edges of the welds if I am not really careful. I haven't practiced too much with the MIG filler yet though so I may continue to practice more before I double up the wire.

Chris

I own an Optrel Satellite.

I'm not familiar with the models you mentioned... so without researching them I couldn't advise on what's right for you. I agree though - that if your helmet only goes to 9 -- fugedaboudit. It needs to go to 5 or so because I do a lot of TIG at 7 and 8. And if you want to be able to weld two beer cans together you might be down at 6! LOL


"9" just isn't low enough. So that would be my "guide" on an autodarkening helmet. I personally love my Optrel - large view space - and I keep several clear covers in my welding inventory and change them whenever they get scratched up etc -- with this helmet it's super easy to do that.

Anyone trying to TIG weld with a one number shield (used for guys that arc welded pipes all day back before I was born. :D ) is going to find it IMPOSSIBLE.

Think of it this way --- The TIG machine was super expensive (relatively) so why would you try to use a cheap azz helmet. One GREAT helmet is able to do ALL your welding needs... so cough up and get one that makes it so you can at least see what the hell you're burning holes in. :rofl:

I forgot I was going to share a little story at my own expense....


I've had the Optrel for maybe 5 years.... picked it up to do some work and the dang thing wouldn't darken... so now I'm looking for a battery to change... can't find anything... so PO'd I head for AirGas... the guys there know me well... and I tuck my helmet under my arm and storm in there...and I'm already frustrated because it's messed up my afternoon (you guys know what I'm talking about here)... and I ask -- "hey guys... where the dang battery in this POS?!"....


Well.... the helmet is SOLAR POWERED... and hadn't seen sunlight since the day I brought it home. Pretty long lasting on "one charge" I'd say. I hadn't used it for a couple months maybe -- and she just finally gave up the ghost. Set it out in the sun for a few hours the next day and bingo.. all good to go.

I didn't ask and haven't researched - but TIG will give you a "sun burn" (ask me how I know?) so maybe if you just TIG enough and frequently enough - that will keep it charged up?