arc welding 1.5mm steel sheet

[mazie]

Hi guys, im quite new to welding and have only been at it for a few months, my technique is improving a lot, i am currrently shortening a sump and need to weld the thin pressed steel to 1.5mmb plate, Any tips so i dont blow holes everwhere?
what rods are best?

 

[Welderpaul]

You will struggle to weld 1.5mm with a stick welder. It should really be welded with a mig.
Welcome to the forum.

 

[Paul.]

Steel sumps can be quite difficult to weld, quite apart from being thin, they are deep drawn, IE pressed, this has a work hardening and stress inducing effect on the steel, this may cause problems with cracking, we used to gas weld them, tig or mig would be my preferred method now
Paul

 

[Ian G]

Ideally that’s a TIG job as TIG produces a softer more malleable weld than MIG that is less prone to cracking.

I certainly wouldn’t be arc welding a sump…………..


Ian

 

[mazie]

thanks for help, i had tested a part i had cut off with some result, but i was affraid the general opinion would be tig/mig. I have a friend who has an inverter tig and mig welder. ill be plying him with lots of pints of bitter then so he can do it!

 

[Paul.]

Best let him do the welding first then

 

[shenion]

I have done 1.2mm steel with no problem. I found some 1.6mm 7014 rods that are a dream to use.

 

[Drains]

Aye, not easy, but possible. Good quality 1.6mm rods. Electrode negative on a DC set.

But tig would be by far the best way.