Okay, so I’ve been messing around with this “yes welder” thing for a bit, and I figured I’d jot down my experience. I’m no pro, just a regular dude who likes to tinker in the garage.
Getting Started
First off, I unboxed the thing. It came with all the usual stuff – the welder itself, a ground clamp, a stick electrode holder, and some basic instructions. Nothing fancy, pretty straightforward.
Setting it Up
Next, I needed to get it all set up. I connected the ground clamp to my workbench – a big ol’ piece of metal I had lying around. Then, I plugged in the electrode holder. It’s pretty simple, just make sure everything is snug.
I had some scrap metal, so I used that to prictice. It’s important to get the right settings, and prictice is the only way.
First Attempts
- First try: Total fail. I blew right through the metal. Oops. Too much power, I guess.
- Second try: A little better. I turned down the amperage (that’s the power setting, for those who don’t know). Still a bit messy, but at least I didn’t make a hole.
- Third try: Getting there! I started to get a feel for how to move the electrode, how fast to go, that sort of thing. It wasn’t pretty, but it was starting to look like a weld.
Figuring it Out (Slowly)
I spent a good few hours just practicing. It’s not as easy as those YouTube guys make it look! You gotta get the angle right, the speed right, and keep the electrode a consistent distance from the metal. Lots of trial and error.
Finally, a Decent Weld!
After a while, I actually managed to lay down a bead that I wasn’t totally embarrassed by. It wasn’t perfect, but it was solid, and it held the two pieces of metal together. Success! I celebrated with a beer. Deserved it.
The wrap
From this prictice, it’s clear that I am a beginner, and I need more prictice to improve my skill.