I was sitting in the local bar one night years ago in Northern California, and one of the local boys came in being led by another guy. His eyes were bandaged and his face was a little red. Seems he was working for the local water well driller and had neglected to wear his hood while welding the cap ...

Haven't been able to burn as much rod as I'd like to. Been real busy at work. But thanks in large part to the good tips from y'all here, what I have been able to weld has shed its slag a lot easier. Got the current dialed in and paying better attention to my puddle. Life is good. Feels like I'm comi...

Thanks for the additional info, especially from your working experience, Steve. No welding for me today. Had to work on the well pump...but it's worth it to live in the country. Thanks to all of you for the input and guidance thus far. I'll get back to burning some rod, and keep y'all posted. Thanks...

It's 1/8" rod, GWD. Sorry I forgot to mention that little vital bit of info. No, I didn't grind the stock to shiny, I just used a twisted cup brush in the angle grinder. It was clean but not sparkling shiny clean. No loose scale or anything on it. I think Steve may be onto something, since the ...

I watched Jody's video testing Lincoln Excalibur 7018 and really liked the way the slag pretty much crawled off the weld and jumped in the trash all by itself <G>. So, I bought some of the rod to practice and "get my hand back" since I've been MIGging exclusively for the last several years...

As Otto says, 5 is bigger than 6. The 5 AWG cables will handle more current or, conversely, will handle the same current for a longer time without overheating. Since you stick weld "almost never", pick whichever one you like and if it gets hot while you're welding, either give it more time...

About 18 years ago (the last time I was making my living welding) my boss and I were building some working pens in NC TX during a "blue norther". 45 knot winds, temps in the 30s -- ugly day. We were almost fighting for the stinger just to get close to the warmth of the arc. Both of us were...

Hi y'all, I just joined the forum this evening. I've been watching Jody's videos for over a year and learn something every time. I'm a self-taught welder -- stick and MIG -- good enough to get paid for it now and then. But I don't make my living at it. I just got a hell of a deal on a brand-new Mill...