trying to stick weld exhaust pipe, 1.6mm or 1/16 "

In this video I try to weld 1.6mm thick tubing exhaust pipe. I'm just practicing and trying to learn how to weld.

[@gunnison3681]

These are my favorite kind of "how to" videos. So relatable

[@treeroofgrass]

Yup!

[@daddyosink4413]

Yep! You know its gonna be realistic when the video opens with "I going to try...."😉

[@CarlosLalimarmo]

absolutely! so much of the stuff on the internet is curated. easy to forget everyone started their journey like this

[@carlywhitehead1]

I've welded exhaust tube with the same rods you have and found if I tack all the way around (about 20mm apart) chip the slag off and repeat tacking in between the first tacks. Eventually you will have it filled in then you can run a non stop weld over the top. Just make sure you chip that slag off 🤙 but looks like you're getting good practice in, watching from New Zealand

[@davidcraft4909]

Yeah, that is the way to do it , or maybe max 1/2" (12mm) at a time. When I made the video It felt like I was going to be able to just go with it, but as you seen in the video that was not how it worked out lol. I watched a video on here where a guy does like 2 seconds weld and 1 second stop, and he does a really good job.

[@thomaslewis9526]

I know you concluded TIG (or MIG) was the way to go, and that was two years ago. But some of us have what we have, and that's a buzz box or cheap inverter welder (or both), and stubbornly insist that that should damn well be good enough! There was a period of at least a couple of generations when we had sheet metal, exhaust pipes, and arc welding, but NOT Tig or MIG. Thousands of workers had to find a way to make it happen, some with more success than others, and they did! That 1/16" 6013 will be as good a choice as any, and Harbor Freight usually has some in stock. I would tack it about every 1/2" and then fill in between the tacks. But you strike the arc, create the puddle and break the arc, and then before it goes dark strike the arc again (easy if it's hot). A 45degree electrode angle can use the arc force to keep the slag away from the leading edge of the bead. This spreads out the heat so you don't burn through. Then you go to the opposite side and do another half inch, and repeat til done. For heavier sheet metal, 14ga, 16ga, or maybe 18ga, I like 3/32" 6011, with the same dab-dab method, at 60A. It burns in deep but freezes fast. Keep trying stuff untill you find something that works for you and the machine you are using. One thing I did learn was don't low-ball the amperage. You put blobs of metal on top of your work, and burn through, because you are trying to keep the arc from going out once you do get it started. Find a setting in the middle of the lower half of the recommended range (say 60A in the 50-90A range). That way it starts right up, but isn't too hot. That's my take on it, if you find it useful, give it a try.

[@rosstituteuk]

When you're welding thin material, strike a few arcs on some scrap metal, to get your rod nice and hot, then bring it across to your work piece. Also, be careful welding galvanized. The zinc can give off nasty fumes that you don't want to be breathing.

[@davidcraft4909]

thanks for the feedback. I'm actually going to try that I have done a few more attempts at welding this same pipe and I will most likely post an updated video on this. I figured out that if i use a 1/16" 6013 and hold a really tight arc that it works better. and I can definitely see how starting the arc on some scrap would help.

[@rosstituteuk]

@@davidcraft4909 looking forward to the next video

[@Gyppor]

Exhaust and stick is touchy indeed, and you're doing great! I've had a similar experience as you, doing short stitches and letting things cool off before welding more, then you get bit greedy and weld too far and get a hole. The worst part to me is you have to chip the slag before going back over a part, otherwise the slag gets trapped in the weld. Filling in holes is time consuming and tricky, add a little all around, chip, wire brush, repeat. I've done a bunch of practice with a stick welder, and while I find it's excellent for 1/8" or more, I plan to get a mig welder for exhaust and to patch my rusted out body mounts and rockers.

[@yadinganon5037]

Nice, I have a good amount of days with a stick welder, but still - it is impossible to beat the mig on its territory...

[@davidcraft4909]

I made a lot of mistakes on doing that thin pipe and I'm currently working on how to do it better. but yeah 1/8 or bigger is way easier. the main thing i did wrong was i didn't clean the welds when i restarted. i know you are supposed to though I just got like anxious and was way to worried about blowing through it. also i was reading that running electrode negative is better for thin material. and I will redo the same type of pipe in a week or two. Im also about to get a bottle of argon and make a vid on my first attempt at tig welding lol. thanks for watching and commenting

[@crackedfingerz]

So many people tell me that stick welding is the easiest kind of welding to learn. I call bullsh*t! Better, more expensive welding tools are indeed easier to work with. A stick welding machine is just more affordable than a complete TIG or MIG welding setup.

[@filtheus5338]

​@@crackedfingerzyeah, mig is way easier than stick

[@akeelshah7904]

😅😅 I know exactly what you mean today should be interesting catalytic converter studs were completely corroded and the studs had to be cut out with an angle grinder... So now I'm gonna have to stick weld bolts in to have some studs this should be real interesting I hope I can do it 😅😅

[@gruberhoffman]

Thank you for the video. I'm learning as well and it's nice to see someone learning, making mistakes and learning from them.

[@davidcraft4909]

Thanks for watching!

[@chrisstanley7088]

I’m 15 and I weld a lot and I use 6010 to make sure and get a good weld

[@ozzynomicon2817]

I stick weld for a living. 7018, 6010, jet welding with both 3s and 5s. I do stainless pipe and aluminum/stainless tig. Also do flux core on vertical up. Pretty much everything besides underwater haha. Stick is possible to weld anything. That's what you do for ur 6g test.

[@peteryao2008]

I went through the same path my friend. Nice video. I am glad some did the same thing:-) So happy to be able to weld something. Now I do all the exhaust work of my cars myself. Feeling so good. Even it is not that pretty from the expert's perspective, but hey, it fun. Keep going:-)

[@davidcraft4909]

Well i gave up on trying to stick weld anything under 1/8 inches. I ended up tig welding the pipes

[@Denman500.]

Well said and true, I started out the same way.

[@yadinganon5037]

With a vehicle like ours I recommend you to buy a mig welder. I work as a fabricator and (I know how to use all the welding processes),mig is by far the best welder for 4x4 fab work.

[@davidcraft4909]

yeah that is what people tell me and I myself kind of know that. I've worked at a custom shop before doing lift kits and random stuff. and yeah they used migs and almost all automotive stuff is mig, but I want to learn how to tig weld and get certified. So like I plan on doing any frame stuff or bumpers with a tig so they will look pretty, lol. this machine I have does tig too, i just need to get a bottle.

[@curtisbarkes6271]

"I'm learning I'm learning" well you got me beat..... For now😉

[@robertblackshear8963]

When doing this try to use very quick in and out motions in the direction of travel. That usually works fine with stick on thin metal. Good job. Good luck bro.

[@jake_break9185]

I'm about to learn stick welding stainless exhaust on a Ninja ZX6R I'm building. Great video bro! Practice makes perfect👍

[@davidcraft4909]

Right on!

[@TannerV01]

When you’re striking your arc you want to start ahead of the bead and come back to it makes it look nicer and so the rod gets a hot start and not a cold one

[@davidcraft4909]

yep I agree 100%, but at the time I made that video I didn't really know that. but I did some research and yeah thats how it's done. thanks for watching and commenting.

[@johnhurley3156]

nice work my friend....you are doing the work... good attitude.not crappy.. shows you are the man for all the knowitalls definition of an expert.... ex = has been spurt = drip under pressure. take a seat

[@KB_Joys]

Was thinking about getting a cheap stick welder to weld up an expansion chamber for my 2 stroke bike. Thanks for the video

[@davidcraft4909]

I would suggest getting a cheap tig welder. The process is slower but tig can weld anything. It's actually very easy to learn, but it's really hard to make consistent pretty beads.

[@KB_Joys]

@@davidcraft4909 I actually just got a cheap flux core mig the other day. Now i just need to find a place to weld at, lol

[@davidcraft4909]

Yes, mig would be a good choice, muffler shops weld exhaust tube all day with mig. Stick on the other hand is not easy

[@SEXYTECH1000]

YOUR WELDS ARE STILL BETTER THAN MINE, I'M JUST LEARNING MYSELF

[@TrashPanda71]

Turn the fan away, seen that it had blown the gases away a few times, when you end a tack/weld and it sparkles, thats when you know you have porosity in it, other than that awesome work. Keep it up and have fun with it.

[@davidcraft4909]

Yeah, stick welding 16ga is not easy

[@TrashPanda71]

@davidcraft4909 I've been a welder since 1997, welded many types, but I'm about to try aluminum stick for the first time on a golf cart frame. So we all can learn new things.

[@davidcraft4909]

@@TrashPanda71 yeah, that's for sure. I'm definitely still learning every day. Even on stuff that I'm supposed to know about, lol

[@harrisonewington2846]

Mate we all start somewhere, cheers for video 🤙🏻

[@davidcraft4909]

yes that is true, but I have since gave up on trying to weld exhaust with stick. My machine does tig welding too, and its actually really easy to tig weld 16 gauge. but I did go back and I tried that same pipe with a stick and if you hold a really tight arc it can be done. I might post a 2nd vid on that subject, either way thanks for watching and commenting.

[@angelaprater2679]

For just starting you did great on 6013 mite try 7014 for filler on that thin of metal with a pus and pull on your puddle feed and pull back watch the eye of your puddle.

[@davidcraft4909]

It works best to whip in and out with a 6013 as well, but its still really tedious. I might do another video on this because I'm actually a lot better after doing about 40 practice joints lol. but honestly I'm done with stick welding. Tig is easier,

[@terrioprince3851]

It’s best be at like 70 to 80 and go fast so you have penetration but you don’t melt thru and if you do turn down your amps and go fill it back up with weld

[@Noeysuarez]

Looking good, it looks a little too hot, but you'll get the hang of it!

[@davidcraft4909]

I already gave up on trying to stick weld 16 gauge. I can weld it with a tig though

[@mikepickering4209]

Good stuff bro keep it up brother from New Zealand 🇳🇿👍

[@davidcraft4909]

Thanks for watching.

[@mds6387]

I've only does one exhaust project using 1/16 6013 on 40amps. It's very tricky. It's still tricky trying to weld exhaust with MIG using .025 wire. Takes a lot of practice.

[@davidcraft4909]

yeah, I gave up on trying to stick weld thin stuff. My welder also does tig, so yeah my new game plan is. anything thinner than 1/8" I do with tig. and 1/8" I can do either one. thanks for watching.

[@mds6387]

@@davidcraft4909 I use MIG for most stuff now.

[@myuncle2]

@@davidcraft4909 Please don't give up, I had the same problem until I found a solution, using a second rod without flux as a filler, use it with the left hand, and melt it as you go.

[@SamSam-ml2go]

thanks for the learning, I also have much to learn

[@davidcraft4909]

its a lot easier just to tig weld thin stuff. I gave up on stick welding anything under than 1/8 inch

[@SamSam-ml2go]

@@davidcraft4909 unfortunately I just got the cheap harbor freight stick welder, also have more tools I need to buy...LOL

[@davidcraft4909]

@@SamSam-ml2go well like i said in the video I know it can be done. I actually tried this a few more times with a 6013 rod and if you hold a very tight arc it can be done. I might make an updated version of this video. but still tig welding thin is so much easier.

[@bluefeatherlopez7]

Thats pretty much how ive did as well on exhaust, ive got pin holes too".

[@2209beata]

I tried stick welding aluminized exhaust tubing today and had more key holes than the Tower of London 🤦🤣🤣

[@davidcraft4909]

Lol. I'm thinking of re doing this video. I think I can do a better job now.

[@2209beata]

@@davidcraft4909 I managed to weld it 😁 by using a stripped electrode as a filler rod kind of like welding Tig but using electrodes 🤦 slow going and lots of grinding but it came out half decent if you look at it from 5 metres away with one eye closed 😉🤣🤣

[@pshhh5741]

Look into a rod oven that stays on all times to keep the rods from taking on any moisture. It'll keep your rods from being blamed for poor welds. I'm not the best either, but I'm not a welder by trade tho 🤷🏾‍♂️. I went to welding school at the votech just to know how to weld for myself

[@ozzynomicon2817]

I prefer stick. It's much easier setup. Especially with 6010 rod.

[@chrishoughton9306]

It might not be the prettiest, but it works, and itll look great under a car😂😂😂

[@SkaterWalsien-mp2uh]

Well overlapin' fine & stiff,,, in case of keyhole it'll stick& tack underneat,,,,

[@davidcraft4909]

I don't understand what you mean by that. but thanks for watching and commenting.

[@d-s-ll2378]

Using Dragging welding, avoid flux mix with metal puddle.

[@jeffpaxton9172]

Do I have to wear my shield when I watch this? I didn't have it on and I'm starting to get scared.

[@Gkitchens1]

You should never weld on galvanized without really teally nice respiratory protection, zinc oxide can and will absolutely kill you. You did alright grinding some back but not enough really.

[@YamahaC7SRG]

What did you decide was the best amperage, polarity and stick movement technique for welding the 1/16th inch tube? Thanks for the video!

[@davidcraft4909]

sorry I can't really give any good advice on it I never really figured out how to do it good. but pipe like this is super easy with a tig welder.

[@SylvesterBoines]

Salute.... New sub over here

[@davidcraft4909]

Thanks for watching,

[@leoehlingeriii4071]

knock the flux off after each weld or its hard to start and connect to your weld.

[@davidcraft4909]

I know I should have, but I was just too focused on not burning holes in the tube.

[@maximusdesimus1943]

Have you kept up with the welding? I've been giving stick a crack last couple days, you're better than me that's for sure. I'm wanting to work on my exhaust also. Would love to see more content from you.

[@davidcraft4909]

Yeah, but I've been mainly using tig, especially on thin stuff. If it's thinner than 1/8" I get the tig torch out. I will try to make more videos soon, thanks for watching.

[@FerasDishli]

Awesome man, nice work

[@davidcraft4909]

Thanks for the visit

[@Manuqtix.Manuqtix]

Check for leakes?

[@SkaterWalsien-mp2uh]

Practice makes perfect, well that's it,,,, at 65 still tweekin' bolts,,, oxy acethls,,, stick weld 2.5/1.2mm,,, gasless,,, & JBWeld,,, difficult is stainless steel!!!...

[@davidcraft4909]

yeah practice does make perfect, and I need a lot of practice if I ever want to stick weld 16ga tubing. thanks for watching and commenting.

[@yadinganon5037]

Keep up the great work ❤️😎

[@davidcraft4909]

I gave up on trying to stick weld exhaust, I hooked up my tig stuff and I already welded my first but joint for the exhaust on my 72 C10. I will be posting a video soon.

[@nathancurtis1982]

If you want to get into welding like as a career you should take a continuing education course at your community college. For me, I can take a 1 year course and learn tig, mig, and stick

[@davidcraft4909]

Yeah I want to. And i will eventually but i work too much and have too many bills i work as a truck driver 60 hours a week. Those schools cost money and yeah i have a lot of excuses lol

[@mitchellmitchell6938]

David Craft you need a technical career. Imagine being a welder working only 40 hours and making what you make in 60 hours. Go do it

[@davidcraft4909]

@@mitchellmitchell6938 thank you, thats exactly why I would jump on any opportunity to be a welder, electrician, or a plumber. CDL drivers might make as much but yeah at 60 hours vs 40

[@mitchellmitchell6938]

David Craft you can do it bro!!!

[@mikedowntoearth6752]

Your laugh is fricken awesome bro

[@paulclifford4469]

Great vid thxs for sharing

[@davidcraft4909]

No problem 👍

[@HappyHands.]

Shouldn't you knock the slag off before restarting a bead?

[@davidcraft4909]

Yeah it's always best to do that. But I was just practicing.

[@sinfulaxiaa8133]

Was thinking about doing this but I’d rather take my car into my welding class shop and do it there with the mig machines😣

[@meatymouse9600]

how do you know what rod to chose and what amperage to rock i got an old AC only stick welder i found in my grandpas shed when he died and i was hoping to learn to use it and to my exhaust with it

[@davidcraft4909]

Honestly, I don't have enough experience to give any advice. I'm still trying to figure out that stuff too. but I can tell you what I was using. I used 1/16" 6013 and running about 45 amps. I know I didn't do a very good job, but it almost works. A 6013 is supposed to be like a medium penetration rod and its good for AC and DC. That rod in 1/16" says 20A-45A. As far as I know from the description it sounds like the right rod for thin exhaust, but I really don't know. I have made better welds on that same pipe since I posted the video, but I still find it really hard to weld exhaust with a stick welder. Mine was 16 gauge thick.

[@meatymouse9600]

I’m just scared I’m gonna start blowing holes in my pipes lol

[@davidcraft4909]

It's fairly easy to burn holes in exhaust. I would get an extra piece of pipe the same dimensions and practice a few times.

[@Mastabaiter]

Do you not chip your slag off ?

[@davidcraft4909]

Yes, normally I do. I know in the video I didn't, but I think I was having bigger issues than just not cleaning the slag.

[@ASAPJermz]

🤣 practice makes perfect

[@davidcraft4909]

i already gave up and hooked up my tig torch. I can weld exhaust with that all day long. lol.

[@kostiantyn.hermash]

1/16'' - this is 1.5 mm. Not so thin.

[@007jhagga]

What amps did you find to weld at ?

[@davidcraft4909]

I never really figured out how to weld this stuff with a stick welder. The lowest amps without sticking the rod too much, I guess would be the right setting. It is really hard not to burn holes right through this kind of stuff. I might do a follow up video on it since I have been practicing a little bit and I might be able to do a better job, lol

[@daddyosink4413]

1/16" rods are not my friend.... unless you have a very steady hand they seem to just wobble all over the place. I have done some pretty thin metal with 3/32" 7014 and 3/32" 6013.

[@davidcraft4909]

I have a lot of trouble using them. I started grabbing the stinger with one hand and kind of holding the rod like pencil with the other. It helps but it's still not easy

[@daddyosink4413]

@@davidcraft4909 yea, I have to "pool cue" them.... hard to do when you are in an uncomfortable position. I just a did a buddy's exhaust with 1/8" 6013 (because that is what we had), that was about 100 little tack welds with another 100 tack welds over that😂Meh... it doesn't leak and it is strong enough, ugly as homemade sin but no one is going to see it.

[@davidcraft4909]

Ok yeah hold it like a pool cue especially when the rod is new, being steady is the hardest part. And yeah its either a lot of tiny tack welds or maybe weld about 1/2" at time and pause for a few seconds between welds.

[@jameswhiteman8896]

No wax on wax off to drifting either learn by doing and listen to people who know ......thanks heaps

[@davidcraft4909]

You're welcome, and thanks for watching.

[@kylerdowns695]

it can be done if you did what i did there and don’t mess up😂

[@fernandocovarrubiascomander]

I’m actually in the middle of learning to stick weld my exhaust pipe. You did a way better job.lol I should turn my amps down. Lol

[@kylerdowns695]

i’d just slow down and do a little side to side and stop when it gets too hot

[@paramtrx9558]

Thx!

[@davidcraft4909]

No problem!

[@skaffoldings]

neat

[@abdrahmanabdullah3113]

Nice try sir

[@davidcraft4909]

yeah it was a nice try but it didn't come out that good, lol. thanks for watching.

[@abdrahmanabdullah3113]

@@davidcraft4909 I throught it was easy I have experience it today too😭 try to weld my Daihatsu Feroza exhaust pipe its really difficult just tiny hole its become worst.

[@davidcraft4909]

@@abdrahmanabdullah3113 Yeah I give up on trying to stick weld thin stuff. I'm using my tig welder from now on.

[@lostinthepnw6317]

Wrong stick already

[@frankkante7850]

I love that video. But what the hell is with you messurement ? NobodY in this world knows what ist 1/16 whatever. We know only Millimeters oder Zentimeters :) Stop use silly messurements ;)

[@davidcraft4909]

It's 1.6mm

[@frankkante7850]

@@davidcraft4909 Perfect. Thank you

[@davidcraft4909]

I went and included the metric measurements in most of my titles. Thanks for the feedback 😀

[@lowk-ip8en]

Heat was to high I think, an you were moving little to fast.

[@davidcraft4909]

Well you have to have a certain amount of heat to burn the rod. and yeah maybe its too much heat for the 1/16 inch pipe. but also later on I realized that i was holding too long of an arc. i have welded the same pipe holding a tighter arc with better results. and if you hold a long arc i think it makes it act like too much heat, either way thanks for watching and commenting. but really tig welding exhaust is way easier lol . im done with stick .

[@gerardobrien535]

Anyone can roll it

[@fergiesguideserviceferguso8830]

6013 most shitty rod ever, need 3/32 6010,6011

[@davidcraft4909]

Well my thoughts were that a 6013 is supposed to be a medium penetrating rod, and I thought that would be good for thin material, but then yeah I think you are right because the 6010/6011 is supposed to be a fast freeze rod and whipping in and out of the puddle with one might be better. Either way I'm still learning and thanks for the input.

[@justinwenzel6282]

By far the most cringy video I've seen on welding.

[@davidcraft4909]

thanks for watching

[@justinwenzel6282]

@@davidcraft4909 lmao it was funny though

[@davidcraft4909]

Well I know it wasn't a good job, but I just posted it so people can see how it looks when someone that's a beginner tries to stick weld thin stuff.

[@Adhdad1]

@@davidcraft4909 thanks man, I thought I was the only one who would try this! Appreciate the video.