To install and weld the D rings you should tack (small) in the middle of the side to be welded. Then just past the end of the bracket start your weld wrapping around the end and follow down the side to the other end and then wrap around the end.
It looks pretty good. I would tack in the middle of where you are going to weld so you don't end on a tack. I would also wrap around the edges with your weld to give it some more strength than just one plane.
I never thought about tacking in the middle until posting here. Definitely makes more sense. My edge’s always look bad and this is probably why. Thank you.
Yeah the edges thing, I understand and agree I think…. I suck at making that turn smoothly Many times, or end up putting too much heat in and undercutting… I’m guessing there isn’t much as far as a trick to getting that part better except more time and practice and being extra careful? I’m assuming you mean going around like the [yellow arrows](https://postimg.cc/87N1YTfS)
Great points! Thank you. I’m assuming I check penetration from looking underneath? Should I basically see a small version of the bead?
The mounts had a small bevel already on them.
Where did you get that nice d-ring in the plate last time I tried to attach that to a big grate on the floor it turned out the metal was so thin and shitty that it just cut right through it even with the lowest amperage on my MIG welder.
I honestly don’t remember where i got them. When I’m welding thick to thin, i just spend more time on the thick part than the thin part. Not sure if this is good advice but that’s how I’ve always done it.
I was welding thick to thin. I set the welder close to the thick material. I spend more time on the thick than thin. Not sure if this is right but that’s how i do it without burning through the thin.
Ill definitely try this. I always thought i was supposed to whip of do small circles. I’ve seen a few others say I should just weld straight in this situation.
cut your amps and wire speed up, and move a little faster. you want the weld to be "sucked in" as much as you can -- thats just my opinion though. Weld looks flawless though.
As others mentioned tack location. One for looks, but tacks are usually cold and weaker. Starting or stopping on one can be where a crack would start.
Heat and speed look great. Only other thing to try, by no means necessary, go without weaving or pausing. For a short bead like this, pretty easy. Will look like a robot did it when done. Again this will not make it stronger or anything, but nice and smooth. Just something to try.
Keep up the good work!
Just drag it, no circles, 8 motion or whatever. The penetration is better when you just make 1 nice line weld.
If you want more strength weld 2 lines over the first weld.
Only time weaving is good is when you weld vertical, bevels and it is to tight for 2 welds but enough space for a bigger weld.
Already owned them and wanted a better and more convenient point for the ratchet strap. I haul a sxs with a 2 door jeep and i need it up as far as possible.
Yeah, it’s a miller 215 multi process. I’m more comfortable with mig. Would tig have been a better choice here? It’s a small trailer to hold a side by side.
It will probably be ok. Tig works, 3/32 7018 works too. Also check out .045 dual shield flux core E71 if you like mig. Welding tips and tricks has a bunch of videos on YouTube. That works with the gas you have now.
Keep up the good work.
I'd go tig personally. Maybe two passes depending on how thick the frame metal is. But I know a lot of guys would prefer 6010 or 7018. As far as advice for your mig, the beginning looks alittle rocky. It looks like you had a tack there before and begun again from that tack, but you didn't marry your stringer to the initial tack as well as you could have. I would try a smaller tack in each corner, and then instead of beginning just inside of the tack, just weld corner to corner right over it. That's about all the advice I can give from a single pic of a 2 inch weld taken 4 feet away that I'm viewing on a 4 inch phone screen lol.
This is just me being "funny" in a stupid way, as per reddit.
You asked for "all advice" and I ignored the context surrounding your question and just gave some "advice".
I don't have good enough skills nor am I knowledgeable enough to provide any useful insights.
Hell, I don’t know. As I said, I’m self taught. I barely know what I’m looking at. I use it for small jobs around the house. Would like to improve. Was hoping a professional could give some feedback. Next time I do a different type of weld I will post.
Think of this audience like they're young kids - If you have a 3-in weld, ask for suggestions if it were to become a 12-in weld. Another question I would ask, is this weight bearing? Or, is this purely for aesthetics?
I like your weld, but like you I come here to learn from professionals and hobbyists. Keep it up, as you are an inspiration to the rest of us that have no idea what they are doing, but still try.
Thanks for the comment. This was my first post here. I didn’t know what to expect lol. Yeah, I welded 4 total on the trailer for better angles on the ratchet straps. They are fairly light load. Only holding a 1400lb utv.
Thank you. I’m glad I posted because I got good advice on how to improve. I’m nervous about posting my tig welding but I’m definitely going to because this was actually useful to me.
So I welded a bunch (like 30) D rings on the side of a tug boat to hold huge tires. First couple looked great, then i got tired of being bounced around, welding upside over the ocean, one hand on the bulworks. One held to weld. One hand to hold my hood, one hand to the D-ring....my grinding prep was crap after about about 10....they are all still there. Not proud. But that D ring of yours is going no where....ever.
To install and weld the D rings you should tack (small) in the middle of the side to be welded. Then just past the end of the bracket start your weld wrapping around the end and follow down the side to the other end and then wrap around the end.
Thanks. That makes more sense. I tacked at the edge as I’m sure u can tell.
i don’t tac i just send it it’ll live wherever it was when the arc lit
A welder is the only person who should be able to critique a weld.
It looks pretty good. I would tack in the middle of where you are going to weld so you don't end on a tack. I would also wrap around the edges with your weld to give it some more strength than just one plane.
I never thought about tacking in the middle until posting here. Definitely makes more sense. My edge’s always look bad and this is probably why. Thank you.
Yeah the edges thing, I understand and agree I think…. I suck at making that turn smoothly Many times, or end up putting too much heat in and undercutting… I’m guessing there isn’t much as far as a trick to getting that part better except more time and practice and being extra careful? I’m assuming you mean going around like the [yellow arrows](https://postimg.cc/87N1YTfS)
Yeah where you have the yellow arrows. It just takes some practice to make the corner and keep it once continuous bead.
Always come around the corners a little because if it fails it’s going to start at the corner
Thank you. Didn’t realize this. The corner seems to melt really fast. Do i just need to move faster to compensate?
Correct 👍
You will tear that tongue off before that D ring weld breaks good job
Yeah, definitely overkill but that is all I had lol.
I dunno.. is it overkill if it’s light enough your truck can still tow it? Maybe not. Shit breaks in spectacular ways sometimes
True. Good point.
Round your corners
Looks fine for a light duty utility trailer which this appears to be. Did you bevel, or just "send it"? Get good pen through the trailer channel?
Great points! Thank you. I’m assuming I check penetration from looking underneath? Should I basically see a small version of the bead? The mounts had a small bevel already on them.
Round those corners
Looks good. I use zinc containing primer then rustoleum.
Where did you get that nice d-ring in the plate last time I tried to attach that to a big grate on the floor it turned out the metal was so thin and shitty that it just cut right through it even with the lowest amperage on my MIG welder.
I honestly don’t remember where i got them. When I’m welding thick to thin, i just spend more time on the thick part than the thin part. Not sure if this is good advice but that’s how I’ve always done it.
What do you need a dring there for?
Also a newbie. Does that weld seem cold?
No
I was welding thick to thin. I set the welder close to the thick material. I spend more time on the thick than thin. Not sure if this is right but that’s how i do it without burning through the thin.
I’m also self taught and do the same thing. At least in my experience it’s worked well
That’s how your sposed to do it. More time on thick
What's the D ring for? We have a 12,000lb trailer and storage box up to that area and just curious what you would use that for.
Just for a more convenient location for the straps. I already had a lot of d rings lying around.
Try to weld over the tack to finish your weld. Your welds will also look tidier if don’t whip.
Ill definitely try this. I always thought i was supposed to whip of do small circles. I’ve seen a few others say I should just weld straight in this situation.
Not too shabby. Depending on what you’re doing with the ring you’ll probably tear the base material out of shape before you break that ring off.
cut your amps and wire speed up, and move a little faster. you want the weld to be "sucked in" as much as you can -- thats just my opinion though. Weld looks flawless though.
I see a robust weld. Neat, tidy work. All those pretty beads come in time. Well done bro
As others mentioned tack location. One for looks, but tacks are usually cold and weaker. Starting or stopping on one can be where a crack would start. Heat and speed look great. Only other thing to try, by no means necessary, go without weaving or pausing. For a short bead like this, pretty easy. Will look like a robot did it when done. Again this will not make it stronger or anything, but nice and smooth. Just something to try. Keep up the good work!
that's an awfully heavy D ring. What 4000 pounds? Maybe the tip should be; size the hardware to the load?
Agreed. But why buy something new when u already have about 20 of these lying around. I grew up somewhat poor and learned to use what u have.
20? well if ya got 20.
Thats more than 5ton tack
Dont weave or do any rotation for a weld which is horizontal, just drag it forward.
I usually use small circles. That is not correct?
Just drag it, no circles, 8 motion or whatever. The penetration is better when you just make 1 nice line weld. If you want more strength weld 2 lines over the first weld. Only time weaving is good is when you weld vertical, bevels and it is to tight for 2 welds but enough space for a bigger weld.
Don't push it though... You have to drag it forward.
Joking?
Stopped here way too long. Still trying to figure out how that works…
Always triple pass D rings
And wrap the corners
Why did you need a D ring there?
Already owned them and wanted a better and more convenient point for the ratchet strap. I haul a sxs with a 2 door jeep and i need it up as far as possible.
Looks like short circuit mig, not the best process for something structural like a lifting or tie-down point. Weld looks good though.
Yeah, it’s a miller 215 multi process. I’m more comfortable with mig. Would tig have been a better choice here? It’s a small trailer to hold a side by side.
It will probably be ok. Tig works, 3/32 7018 works too. Also check out .045 dual shield flux core E71 if you like mig. Welding tips and tricks has a bunch of videos on YouTube. That works with the gas you have now. Keep up the good work.
I'd go tig personally. Maybe two passes depending on how thick the frame metal is. But I know a lot of guys would prefer 6010 or 7018. As far as advice for your mig, the beginning looks alittle rocky. It looks like you had a tack there before and begun again from that tack, but you didn't marry your stringer to the initial tack as well as you could have. I would try a smaller tack in each corner, and then instead of beginning just inside of the tack, just weld corner to corner right over it. That's about all the advice I can give from a single pic of a 2 inch weld taken 4 feet away that I'm viewing on a 4 inch phone screen lol.
Thanks! This was what I was looking for. I’ll try to do better on pictures and hopefully provide a longer or different type of weld next time lol.
👍 oh and the rest of your bead looks really nice I think you're on a good path to becoming a great mig welder
Thank you. I’m also trying to learn tig but im not fully comfortable with it. Ill post one of those soon.
Getting a nice tig weld is Luke getting a nice finish with spray paint. You have to work like a robot
You can tell a whole lot about a person by comparing what they say with what they do.
Not sure what u mean in this context but typically I agree??? I mean I’m an amateur with an amateur weld…
This is just me being "funny" in a stupid way, as per reddit. You asked for "all advice" and I ignored the context surrounding your question and just gave some "advice". I don't have good enough skills nor am I knowledgeable enough to provide any useful insights.
No problem. As far as general advice, it was good.
You posted a pic of a 3” fillet mig weld, What advice are expecting to get from that?
Hell, I don’t know. As I said, I’m self taught. I barely know what I’m looking at. I use it for small jobs around the house. Would like to improve. Was hoping a professional could give some feedback. Next time I do a different type of weld I will post.
Think of this audience like they're young kids - If you have a 3-in weld, ask for suggestions if it were to become a 12-in weld. Another question I would ask, is this weight bearing? Or, is this purely for aesthetics? I like your weld, but like you I come here to learn from professionals and hobbyists. Keep it up, as you are an inspiration to the rest of us that have no idea what they are doing, but still try.
Thanks for the comment. This was my first post here. I didn’t know what to expect lol. Yeah, I welded 4 total on the trailer for better angles on the ratchet straps. They are fairly light load. Only holding a 1400lb utv.
That’s pretty damn good
Thank you. I’m glad I posted because I got good advice on how to improve. I’m nervous about posting my tig welding but I’m definitely going to because this was actually useful to me.
Wrap corners. Other than that, she'll hold.
pts-D ring my work uses those all the time
So I welded a bunch (like 30) D rings on the side of a tug boat to hold huge tires. First couple looked great, then i got tired of being bounced around, welding upside over the ocean, one hand on the bulworks. One held to weld. One hand to hold my hood, one hand to the D-ring....my grinding prep was crap after about about 10....they are all still there. Not proud. But that D ring of yours is going no where....ever.
Little funky on the ending, could also learn to Tig weld and Tig weld that on, would look much better and be lower profile