I'm welding some 1x2 rectangular steel tube, 14 gauge. I'm using .030 with C25 at 25cfm, 18.3 volts and 230 ipm. Gun angle is directly above the weld, pushing at maybe 15 degrees. Prepped with a flap disk and acetone.

It's been several months since I've used this gas, and I've heard of you let gas sit for too long, you may get undesirable results if you don't agitate the cylinder. Could this be from the gas "settling?"

...and feel free to roast the weld while you're at it.

As the title says let me have it

Got back into it a month ago, been making a few jigs lately, mostly for shaft alignments and gearbox work, nothing structural but I have been thinking about practicing and testing for CWB. Here’s a jig I’m making that’s still a work in progress, and the last pic is one I made a few weeks ago. Can’t really see the welds on it but it worked perfect to clock a fluid coupler.

I’m definitley getting some porosity and I’m not sure how to correct that, didn’t have that issue at all on the last jig I made.

All welds done with 3/32 7018 @92Amps except for the fat one, 1/8 7018 @112amps

I'm in school for welding in Utah. I've tried a number of hoods, but I can't see anything through most of them. Particularly once the arc is lit. I've tried HF to Miller quality/brand wise. None really work for me. I've even tried too light and too dark, hurt my eyes and couldn't see, respectively.

So, what is the best hood for visibility while welding? I need to be able to see the puddle and base metal. Particularly for overhead, that's been the worst to see. Unlimited budget, but only if I can see what might make it better. I am willing to pay for quality, but dislike paying for names.

I'm at my wits end here. If I can't find some way to see, I will have to do something else I guess. Can't put the bead where it belongs if I can't see where it should be. I've tried everything else I can find online. Extra lights, flashlights, what repositioning is allowed, different hoods, fixed and variable shades, auto dark and flip lens, light blocking around the back, cheater lenses... Instructors offer things I've tried already, but I've been searching a lot on my own, so not really their fault. I wish their Miller worked for me, I'd pick one up today if it did.

Current process is FCAW with CO2, if that matters. I have stick and tig coming.

So I'm looking to weld on some light bar brackets, maybe eventually build a bumper for my offroad rig, and learn how to weld a nut onto the rusty pig if I need to.

Local shops want like 150 just to turn the machine on so I'm debating trying to learn a new skill, so I've been in the market for a mig welder, locally there are lots of them listed for 750+, I genuinely have no idea what I'm looking at or what I'm doing.

There is a 5in1 250a by vevor for 308$ (Canadian) and even if I never used the thing once I'm sure I'd be able to sell it for nearly the same price.

My question is, what exactly am I looking for? And what would I be missing vs a 2000$+ rig? I learned a bit of stick back in highschool and learned basic oxyacetaline cutting/welding as well but that was over a decade ago, i do have a 240v plug in the garage in the new home I just purchased, so I think I have that going for me.

All help is appreciated, my girlfriend's brother in law is a welder so I'm sure I could borrow him for some hands on, but I'd prefer not looking like an absolute weirdo like I would rolling up to my own sites with green tools.

Hey folks. Im in process of fixing this trailer up. there are a few spots I need to weld, and I was thinking about just doing a solid reinforcement all around. But after getting the deck off, it looks pretty decent but also pretty difficult to reinforce with what iv got. Im processing a bunch of old home depot beams into semi usable square tube but the overall shape of the stock is an L.

Iv got 2, 18' perforated beams, probably a dozen smaller cuts of 1in square tube, 4, 8ish inch square "gussets" 1/2 in thick. 12ish of the 8ft L square tube.

I figured if I was welding a few things anyways, I might as well make a pretty bad ass trailer. But now the deck is off, im not totally sure where to start putting things. My brain is saying that hacking 2ft sections of beam, and sistering inside the c channel to the main frame isnt going to do crap, because the joints will still be the weak spots etc..... and im not sure if sistering a continuous piece from the underside would clear the axels under load or on bumps.

Pic 5&6 are the welds I have to do. 5 is on the main body center of the tongue. A continuous beam there would be really nice.

With the success of that stick welder from temu being way more than I had expected I do find myself in need of a spot welder for standard duct work sheet metal. Has anyone seen any advertised cheap on temu that would work? I know how to use the equipment but know nothing of the machine specifics. Budget is up to 50$

This is 316 stainless, 1/4" thick. I'll be welding the ribs to the inside of the ring where the radius is. I went to a local welding supply shop and they said they've never welded before and couldn't say....

I have a dual feeder, if that's necessary. But I'm assuming not.

Edit: I have a 2000w laser welder for the job

Thanks!