Welding for beginners

[cliff]

[ QUOTE ]
Thank you very much for that William , I must admit I didn't know there were so many different ways and your post confirms that I used a MIG setup

[/ QUOTE ]Did you use MIG or MAG? There is a difference......
Most cheap and nasty DIY GMAW machines are MAG - that is they use an "Active" gas such as CO2 and are a real PITA to set up and use efficiently on thin sections.

Try running a bead on some thin sheet metal first setting the feed speed/amps to give a stable arc then change your travel speed to see the difference in bead appearance - too slow and you will have burn through, too fast you will have a raised bead (possibly intermittent). You can also adjust the stick-out length (the amount of wire sticking out between the tip and the work piece) and see the effect that has. With practice you will find the "correct" mix. BTW too much gas (too high a flow rate) is as bad as not enough due to turbulence in the shielding gas and induced O2.

Ever considered taking a night school course in welding? /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

If that does not appeal have a look HERE /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

or even HERE /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

or if you are really keen HERE /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>

 

[Sixpence]

Don't think I'll ever be a pro at this welding lark but they are very useful links , thanks Cliff

 

[Avocet]

I find CO2 is often a bit better on very thin mild steel sections - it seems to cool the metal a bit better than argon.

 

[Lakesailor]

The mixed bottles seem to work better for me. I do agree with Cliff though. My stick welder is a Clarks air-cooled device and it's a pig to use. I used to have an Oxford oil-cooled welder and it was easy peasy. I may even change back.

 

[cliff]

[ QUOTE ]
I find CO2 is often a bit better on very thin mild steel sections - it seems to cool the metal a bit better than argon.

[/ QUOTE ]CO2 increases penetration so perhaps you have too high a flow rate which is giving additional cooling however the numbers (thermo-dynamics) don't add up.
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>

 

[Sixpence]

Cliff , I may be wrong but I seem to recall that welding and weld inspections are your speciality , isn't it what you earn a crust doing as a career ?

 

[cliff]

Guilty as charged, M'lud. Only a couple of my "talents" though. Metallurgy is my field and that takes in a multitude of sins. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>

 

[Sixpence]

As I thought good buddy , thanks for the e mail , I'll listen to an expert every time /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif , no offence to anyone else that helped but if there is someone here that does it for a living , well , it's like when I have a plumbing problem I know that the headmistress is who to call on . Thankfully , when the eggspurts aren't around , others offer thier help , much appreciated everyone

 

[Sixpence]

Just to update and clarify , I understand that WilliamH is pretty well qualified in this field , as are others , so not intended to pick on Cliff as the expert alone , I do know there are others , and thier help is also appreciated

 

[Lakesailor]

Hole - digging- when to stop.