Hey Alvin, I appreciate you taking the time to make this video. I never pulse the trigger when doing plug welds, I start on the edge of the top panel, go straight into the middle, pause a bit and then circle around until the hole is all closed up. It makes for a nice smooth plug that quite often doesn’t require any grinding.
Hey Morgan! I started out doing it the way you described, but on setting B it was a little too cold and I was getting bad welds. On setting C, the welds sometimes get too hot and blow through if I do a continuous pass. I should have explained that when I was talking about the voltage selector, and why a variable selection set up is better, I could then find a more suitable heat range. That's the joy of having the inexpensive tools, always having to find work arounds. 😎
Well Alvin, I feel you hit all the good points needed for someone to get started and do good work! Well done The proper term is porosity when you don’t have the gas on and your weld looks “porous” (full of holes). And a pair of welpers (welding pliers) will help a guy with not only cutting the wire, but occasionally cleaning the tip and inner shield of your torch tip. It also has other uses too. It’s like a Swiss Army knife for welders lol I usually use a sheet metal awl to scratch up the inner metal but I like your idea with the flattened drill, and lord knows I have a lot of dull drill bits I could do that with. Thanks for the tip my friend! And as always looking forward to your next video
Thank you Troy! I've been meaning to get a proper set of welding pliers, thanks for the reminder! Lol...I started using the drill bit to clean out the primer because I to had lots of old bits around. 😎
I love the tip about using a squared off drill bit to remove primer from the bottom sheet, that is a great idea! Also, after seeing your light on your welding helmet I fitted one to mine a few months back - what a difference! Bedfore I was always trying to position bright lights, or even holding a torch near to the work (burnt it plenty of times), but welding is so much easier now with the light on the actual helmet. I am in my mid 50's now, so the old eyes are not what they used to be, so was really struggling without the extra light. No longer a problem since i fitted that light. Such a simple but brilliant idea. So old Johns been asking for welding tips? Must pop over and see what he's up to, sounds like he could be up to some interesting stuff!
Thank you Steve! I was in the same situation you were with being able to see when welding, the magnified safety glasses and helmet light was a game changer! John asked me a while ago about making a video that included plug welding, and I kept forgetting to do it in full, say hello to John for me if you see him!
Hello Alvin. Thanks for the demonstration. I would note that it is important to clean out the hole , as the primer can contaminate the weld. Nice job! George B. in Michigan
Hi George, I agree...a cleaning out is important, these could have been a little cleaner. I have tried the weld through primers, but find they just bubble and make a lot of smoke, cleaning the weld area with a drill works well for me. Thank you George, and take care! Alvin
Thanks for this lesson! I'm installing a new radiator core support on my 2008 Ford Ranger since the old one rotted out from road salt, and using a Lincoln MIG similar to yours. I'm very excited to see how I do!!
Haha just looked at this video because I'm planning on putting a new core support in my ranger. I unfortunately hit a deer not too long ago and want to get it back on the road!
Mig is a cold start weld and have seen spot welds just pull apart. I drill an 1/8 hole in the center of the 5/16 and I just flood it in one go. Flat and almost no clean up. Never had a problem.
I have a question about your helmet. I just started got my MiG welder and purchased the $40 harbor freight helmet. I really can’t see where I am welding on the lower setting so I will need to get another helmet. Can you see well with the Yes Welder Helmet?? Also, I tried shining a light on my workpiece and it triggers the auto darkening so I can’t see even to get in position to weld. Does the LED light on your helmet do that? Thanks.
Hi James, Yes, my Yes Welder helmet is clear, I'm happy with the true color. Adding the LED light does give a good spot, but only on the round light...the bar light underneath the round light doesn't really help, so I only use the upper round light.
@@J_R_Shop Thanks for your response. I have a 64 convertible that needs restored. Rust not as bad as yours. Debating on selling it and buying something with a 4 speed.
So I'm welding floor supports on my truck I have a L-TEC tig welder that I don't have a trigger or pedal for and I'm having trouble trying to spot weld with it its blowing through the sheet metal before I get good adhesion would plug welds be a good structural alternative or should I invest in something to do better spot welds or is there something I'm overlooking new hobby level welder so I could be missing something obvious but any tips would be helpful
Hi Donald, sorry to hear you are having issues. I don't have any experience with TIG welding, so my suggestions are limited...have you tried lowing the amperage, it sounds like too much heat? Are you using 100% argon?
Hey Alvin, I appreciate you taking the time to make this video. I never pulse the trigger when doing plug welds, I start on the edge of the top panel, go straight into the middle, pause a bit and then circle around until the hole is all closed up. It makes for a nice smooth plug that quite often doesn’t require any grinding.
Hey Morgan!
I started out doing it the way you described, but on setting B it was a little too cold and I was getting bad welds. On setting C, the welds sometimes get too hot and blow through if I do a continuous pass. I should have explained that when I was talking about the voltage selector, and why a variable selection set up is better, I could then find a more suitable heat range. That's the joy of having the inexpensive tools, always having to find work arounds. 😎
Good overview of how to do this type of weld. I'm planning on trying it soon, but with a Flux Core welder.
Well Alvin, I feel you hit all the good points needed for someone to get started and do good work! Well done
The proper term is porosity when you don’t have the gas on and your weld looks “porous” (full of holes). And a pair of welpers (welding pliers) will help a guy with not only cutting the wire, but occasionally cleaning the tip and inner shield of your torch tip. It also has other uses too. It’s like a Swiss Army knife for welders lol
I usually use a sheet metal awl to scratch up the inner metal but I like your idea with the flattened drill, and lord knows I have a lot of dull drill bits I could do that with. Thanks for the tip my friend! And as always looking forward to your next video
Thank you Troy!
I've been meaning to get a proper set of welding pliers, thanks for the reminder! Lol...I started using the drill bit to clean out the primer because I to had lots of old bits around. 😎
I love the tip about using a squared off drill bit to remove primer from the bottom sheet, that is a great idea! Also, after seeing your light on your welding helmet I fitted one to mine a few months back - what a difference! Bedfore I was always trying to position bright lights, or even holding a torch near to the work (burnt it plenty of times), but welding is so much easier now with the light on the actual helmet. I am in my mid 50's now, so the old eyes are not what they used to be, so was really struggling without the extra light. No longer a problem since i fitted that light. Such a simple but brilliant idea. So old Johns been asking for welding tips? Must pop over and see what he's up to, sounds like he could be up to some interesting stuff!
Thank you Steve!
I was in the same situation you were with being able to see when welding, the magnified safety glasses and helmet light was a game changer! John asked me a while ago about making a video that included plug welding, and I kept forgetting to do it in full, say hello to John for me if you see him!
@@J_R_Shop I am in the UK, so won't be seeing him, should have said i will pop by his channel over on that other video platform.
Hello Alvin. Thanks for the demonstration. I would note that it is important to clean out the hole , as the primer can contaminate the weld. Nice job!
George B. in Michigan
Hi George, I agree...a cleaning out is important, these could have been a little cleaner.
I have tried the weld through primers, but find they just bubble and make a lot of smoke, cleaning the weld area with a drill works well for me.
Thank you George, and take care!
Alvin
Thanks for this lesson! I'm installing a new radiator core support on my 2008 Ford Ranger since the old one rotted out from road salt, and using a Lincoln MIG similar to yours. I'm very excited to see how I do!!
You'll do fine, just Dail in your heat and wire feed, and the rest is practice. 👍
@@J_R_Shop I nailed it! came out great. thanks again, this helped tremendously!
@@musselsmarinara8503 you're welcome, I'm glad it helped you out!
Haha just looked at this video because I'm planning on putting a new core support in my ranger. I unfortunately hit a deer not too long ago and want to get it back on the road!
Mig is a cold start weld and have seen spot welds just pull apart. I drill an 1/8 hole in the center of the 5/16 and I just flood it in one go. Flat and almost no clean up. Never had a problem.
Thank you Paul.
I have to like this if only for the Thunderbird convertible in the background.
Good information JRS. Great video:)
Thank you Jerry!
Informative- thanks for the lesson.
You're welcome, and thank you for watching!
Thankyou by the explanation.
You're welcome, and thank you for watching!
Excellent demonstration my friend. That part I missed is where is the gas connected to ? Is it part of your machine ? Well done my friend
Thank you Ron!
The gas travels through a hose to the welder, and then a solenoid valve inside of the welder...it is active when I start welding.
I have a question about your helmet. I just started got my MiG welder and purchased the $40 harbor freight helmet. I really can’t see where I am welding on the lower setting so I will need to get another helmet. Can you see well with the Yes Welder Helmet?? Also, I tried shining a light on my workpiece and it triggers the auto darkening so I can’t see even to get in position to weld. Does the LED light on your helmet do that? Thanks.
Hi James,
Yes, my Yes Welder helmet is clear, I'm happy with the true color. Adding the LED light does give a good spot, but only on the round light...the bar light underneath the round light doesn't really help, so I only use the upper round light.
@@J_R_Shop Thanks for your response. I have a 64 convertible that needs restored. Rust not as bad as yours. Debating on selling it and buying something with a 4 speed.
Cool channel brotha 🤘🏼💪🏼
Thank you Bryce!
@@J_R_Shop 🤜🏼🤛🏼
So I'm welding floor supports on my truck I have a L-TEC tig welder that I don't have a trigger or pedal for and I'm having trouble trying to spot weld with it its blowing through the sheet metal before I get good adhesion would plug welds be a good structural alternative or should I invest in something to do better spot welds or is there something I'm overlooking new hobby level welder so I could be missing something obvious but any tips would be helpful
Hi Donald, sorry to hear you are having issues.
I don't have any experience with TIG welding, so my suggestions are limited...have you tried lowing the amperage, it sounds like too much heat? Are you using 100% argon?
Can you not punch it then use the step bit?
Yup you can...only issue is, step bits are not great at starting a hole.