Categories: DIY

DIY: I’m a Welder.


The Millermatic for Mavromatic

railing.jpgrailing.jpg
A shot of my workshop

First up, thanks to all of you that wrote in and told me that welding is fun and easy… you were all right! Man, I love it! Once you get the hang of it, it’s a piece of cake… however, you all failed to tell me that is the easiest part! Metal is freakin’ heavy and dirty! Cutting it is a bitch, but I managed to get perfect cuts with my Hitachi Metal Saw and a custom jig I welded. Now, the main reason why I even entertained the thought of buying metal working tools and a MillerMatic 175 was because I wanted to make a custom staircase railing for my house. It was a simple, clean, industrial design, so I thought I could definately do it. Plus, the bids I got were way to much, and I thought I could do it myself — I’m starting to think I have control issues!

I took a week off and learned to weld. I’m proud to say it was successful! If I can offer any advise, I’d say it’s all about getting comfortable with the MIG gun… when I pulled the trigger for the first time, my intial feeling was to pull straight — not the best weld.weld.jpgweld.jpg Then I started doing circular motion, dipping into the previous pool and pulling. That technique yielded me the weld I was looking for (see photo)… I’m sure it’s not the best weld, but it’s acceptable to me. I ordered some Iron, Steel, and Nickel Blackener which I will apply over the welds and the raw metal to give it a darker look, then a nice satin clearcoat and I’m done with the metal part! Next, comes the wood handrail and the 3/8″ thick tempered glass panels. I’ll post some photos when I’m all done… then I’m going to build the Mavromatic Chopper — look out Jesse James!

Oh, and for all of you thinking about getting a welding system… get the best welder you can possibly afford, I highly recommend the MillerMatic 175 and wouldn’t have gone with anything else. I looked at the entry-level Lincoln ones, but they seemed cheaply build. The Miller stuff feels and looks good. Also, get the best welders helmet you can afford… I got the Miller Elite, the big viewing windows is great, I even love the auto-dimming feature… doesn’t require any flipping up and down.

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Danny Mavromatis: Seattle, WA

View Comments (12)

  • Nice one bro,
    You even got the flash helmet with Flames :o)
    Haha Im hanging out to build a chopper to, but have to finish my mustang first.
    C.

  • Nice one bro,
    You even got the flash helmet with Flames :o)
    Haha Im hanging out to build a chopper to, but have to finish my mustang first.
    C.

  • Did you read a book/watch an instructional video on the subject before you got started? If so what?
    Thanks Py

  • Did you read a book/watch an instructional video on the subject before you got started? If so what?
    Thanks Py

  • Well, I've never really got into welding, but it looks like fun. Especially since you're raving about it, it must be fun! Looks like you did a pretty good job at the end. Well, most certainly a better job than I would be able to do! But I'm sure once you get into welding it must be quite a lot of fun, and soon you'll be wanting to weld pretty much anything!

  • Well, I've never really got into welding, but it looks like fun. Especially since you're raving about it, it must be fun! Looks like you did a pretty good job at the end. Well, most certainly a better job than I would be able to do! But I'm sure once you get into welding it must be quite a lot of fun, and soon you'll be wanting to weld pretty much anything!

  • Nice work, pal! Were you able to finish your DIY project? How was it? I hope you can post a photo of the finished product here. By the way, do you agree that welding is only a man’s job?

  • Nice work, pal! Were you able to finish your DIY project? How was it? I hope you can post a photo of the finished product here. By the way, do you agree that welding is only a man’s job?

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