OK, so I bought some aluminum stick rods. I went to Amazon and looked up "Hobart aluminum stick rods" and i bought some of theirs and some foreign cheap brand the popped up in the same search. I think I have a good idea on a awning mock up that I will see how it is to fabricate with stick.

What type/thickness material would you want to see if it could weld? Or what type of project would you think aluminum stick would be good for? I'm asking because I have different scrap I could possibly match and mock up close to.

Yeah I am still somewhat skeptical of battery powered anything... but I am definitely tired of pulling so much out when I only have a little work to do.

Hahaha, don't get run over while packing up!

That's what I thought the 1/4" was for, something like that. 3" pipe and 3/32" 7018 is a pretty combination, leads to enjoyable welding! Thanks for watching, DZ.

I'm not trying to boast myself nor talk down about what I've seen. Just trying to be blunt and honest.

That is pretty much how I fix the Flux issue. I wiggle/oscillate the rod somewhat like making circles when mig welding. Kind of a half circl to get ahead of the Flux a push it back where it belongs. You a spot on with your fixes but I'd say your drag angle is the most important and the most prevalent issue.

Yes. I normally only have Slagle issue with low current. That can be from running to many extension cords and not having enough machine power or just setting your machine low. I like to start hot and back down the amperage with stick welding opposed to starting low and turning it up. I like to weld as hot as possible.

I would be clear unless it's directly related to how I installed something or my system failed. I'm only doing what is asked of me. I voice my opinion but it's there ideas. There are a few projects they ask me to do and pay me to do that I have explained isn't going to fix their problem... they just tell me to do it anyways.

I have worked in higher industrial construction settings..... I know proper OSHA and safety laws. I know what proper ppe should be worn and how to safely and properly work jobs. I choose to work how I work knowing how to accomplish tasks safely. I have had my work inspected before... I have failed an inspection and had to correct issues before... I have seen how accidents happen and where to double check on the next job. That being said, I know for fact that almost all the management I have dealt with at this commercial level of work have absolutely zero idea of how anything works. ZERO. And that rolls down hill and is passed along to younger generations that have even less interest. America is really in a bad spot and most don't even have a clue.

If they didn't have me around they would probably be welding 600psi pipe together with non beveld butt welds slaped together with mig hard wire or still threading 2" pipe and special ordering 6"x2" reducers so they can.

Martin,

Thanks for the questions.... this isn't the same building/system. It is the same company, compressors, and psi though. There is possibility of danger because there is a serious lack of any general knowledge amongst the workers in this place. Good thing is there are extremely few people even willing to try work like this. My large welded piping is actually a large increase in the safety of how they used to do things... they only knew how to thread 2" pipe so they literally had a maze of pipe like you said and it was very easy to confuse the high and low air systems as they were both 2" pipe. This company is a very big, small company... they have grown exponentially in the past decades and that can lead to this overlap they have now with heavy commercial equipment and systems and a light commercial work force. There is a knowledge gap they acquired from growing quickly plus there are always huge political reasons and outdated opinions that steer big ships like this.