From Nils to Skills Uber Challenge - Compact Workshop Press

[Canobi]

Hi Tuomas, thanks for chiming in

I'm using an old TOPWELD 180A transormer welder. The ground cable is attached to the weld table from underneath via a magnetic earth clamp which is located directly under the frame. All the rods I'm using for the press are 2.5mm and I've been running them at about 75~80 amps.

I've noticed that there is a divide of opinions very akin to marmite regarding E6013, one either loves em or hates em, I haven't used them enough to make up my mind yet but feel I will be able to get the hang of them eventually. The reason the welds look so different to each other is that I was using the bracket feet for a bit of practice, since they're a non structural part and the beads will be ground back anyway. It had occured to me that I probably could have just tacked them in place and be done but I'll take what I can where I can with this one as I want it to be as good as I can manage for my own piece of mind.

I will up the amperage a little for the brackets themselves when the time comes and just run straight beads to see if I get better results but it's a bit trial and error as the amp markings were well and truely gone and I even reconditioned the cover as it was so totally beat up and rusty. I noted that the 7016s have a recommended amp range of 55~85 on the packet and E6013 need a bit less, so was aiming for the sweet spot somewhere in the middle ground of the two max ranges.