Any Tips for gasless welding?

[SiPMerlin150]

Hello, I've recently began using gasless MIG to tack things together and as a general change from Arc welding. The wire is of high quality and creates a light fluffy slag that comes away leaving nice welds underneath.

I also use a gas mig and understand how the wire stickout really shouldnt exceed 8-10mm due to gas coverage.

How far should the wire stick out from the contact tip be on the gasless wire?

I find that the torch gets very hot even after short use (130amp) For example,
If I weld up a fillet joint in 6mm steel at 130 amps, By the time I've completed 6 inches of weld, my torch is red hot, to the point where I can smell a 'hot plastic' smell....

 

[backpurge]

What's the amperage rating of the torch and is it a "gasless" specific one or can it be used with gas as well

 

[SiPMerlin150]

What's the amperage rating of the torch and is it a "gasless" specific one or can it be used with gas as well

Its gas and gasless, but i cant figure out what rating the torch is... the welder is 130amps so i'm guessing between 100-150amp torch...

I was thinking, would pushing a very gentle stream of air through the torch without the shroud attached dessipate the heat without affecting the weld?

 

[backpurge]

As you've sussed if the torch can be used for gas and gasless your duty cycle when running gasless will be lower.

Would be suprised if the torch was rated much above 100 amp, to be honest it will only be designed for light work

Running air through may help but you could end up causing problems with the weld, only way to find out is give it a go and see, be interesting to see if it works

 

[Wozzaaah]

If you're welding 6mm with a 130A gasless welder then you don't need a bigger torch, you need a bigger welder.

 

[SiPMerlin150]

If you're welding 6mm with a 130A gasless welder then you don't need a bigger torch, you need a bigger welder.

I agree its a dinky little welder I'm doing a good prep on joints, Its not mainly for 6mm, but for around 1.6 - 4mm and for quick tacking of joints, and possibly any small repairs on my fiesta, like a few smallish rust patches on the sill panels.

If I were to do any work in 6mm, for example a fillet joint, I'd bevel a 45 degree edge on both sides of the steel sitting perpendicular to the other..

 

[SiPMerlin150]

As you've sussed if the torch can be used for gas and gasless your duty cycle when running gasless will be lower.

Would be suprised if the torch was rated much above 100 amp, to be honest it will only be designed for light work

Running air through may help but you could end up causing problems with the weld, only way to find out is give it a go and see, be interesting to see if it works

I gave te air feed a go, with the shroud on, I was getting a strong ozone/metallic smell, but welds 'appeared' to be normal on the surface, but underneath could be another story

Heres the outcome:

Can't do any more testing, I've used all of the .45kg mig wire in 3 afternoons!