First welds... advice

[aardvark]

OK - after getting lots of advice from this site and getting a nice set up from weldequip (GYS Smartmig 162).

Due to 1 thing or another on just got around to playing with it. Throught I would just run some welds on 20mm x 20mm x 2mm tubing.

so played for 20mins on Tuesday. then did the following during a 20 min play yesterday (Wednesday).

Any advice? do they look OK - I know my technique leaves a lot to be desired. The penetration seems OK (looking down the tube - can see a shiney area where I welded - might cut it in 2 to see how it looks.

1st picture is my last weld.






A bit of splatter - assume it is due to gasless wire and playing outside.

Tell me if / where I am going wrong.

Cheers

Aardvark.

 

[shed or dead]

Considering you're new to it, and 2mm with gasless outside, you're doing good. I think the penetration looks best in the middle of the bottom picture.

I'm no pro so best to hang on for the replies that will follow.

 

[BrokenBiker]

gasless isn't the easiest to learn with. its what i learnt mig with, and after using it for over a year and then using a proper mig with argon mix i couldn't believe the difference.

however, they don't look too bad.

what sort of torch movement are you using?

 

[aardvark]

Thanks for the comments - I have a regulator and hobby 5 gas - but waiting to get a larger shed to work in (hence playing with the gasless until then). somehow a cluttered 7x5 shed not a good idea.

re the movement, the top picture is a bit of back and forth, bottom picture is more circular (both left to right).

Cheers

aardvark

 

[lshigham]

If you have gas I'd really recommend using it, will be much easier

 

[aardvark]

Ishigham,

I intend too - just dont have the space (except outside) and don't really want to waste it due to blowing away (when I say 7x5 cluttered - I meant full of everything including flamable liquids) - so would rather play safe.

 

[keeny]

if you in a wooden shed, take precaution of fire, it des and can happen
if u know what I mean, be safe, oh the welds ok for gasless, its the hand speed
as well what can be important when welding.......

 

[dan.taylor.1]

I don't think you need to be weaving on that thickness really. And I'd go slower looking at how elongated the ripples are unless that's just because of the weave? Not bad though!

Dan

 

[BrokenBiker]

I wouldn't weave with gasless anyway unless I was trying to really push it to its top limit.

just a nice steady consistent travel speed, pulling the puddle (pushing doesn't work that well in my experience) and try and keep a consistent torch angle and stick out.

try running a pad of beads on some 3-4mm steel about 60mm -100mm long, one after the other (quench if it gets too hot) it will really help you gain good control of the torch

 

[aardvark]

Thanks All,

I am currently working nights (7 til 7 )- so if the weather is OK early next week when I am off work for a few days - will cut some 2mm sheet and double it up and try some foot long slow welds and will let you know the outcome.

Fingers crossed - improve some more.

Thanks again for all your invaluable advice.

Cheers.

 

[aardvark]

Well I ran out of gasless and decided might as well give the gas a try (hobbyweld 5) with 0.8mm wire from weld equip. Only had about 10 mins playing time due to losing daylight.

The following picture is of my first use with gas (sorry about the quality of the photo - in a rush) - the 3 on the tubing look like they are a little high (a bit cold?) - but happy with the one running behind these joining a 2mm flat bar to 20mm tubing (there was also a bit of a gap to cover).



Cannot believe how much better gas welds look compared to the gasless. (although I should have cleaned the steel up abit (it had been sat in the garden for a week or so - so rust is showing).

Once I get around to creating something that has more than 2cm weld using this - will post again.

Thanks again all.

 

[gaz1]

there is alot of difference between them sometimes because its brighter you think that you have to move quicker along the steel and this is not true as ive and another has found out

as goes for your gas welds they look spot on have a little more practice and consider doing some joints butt joints, 45% and 90% degrees then decide to build something either a welding cart for mig and gas to transport around or a welding table this all practice and you enjoy building something

 

[Jan]

Am I wrong in thinking that the weld between the 2 pieces might have had better penetration with less build up if he'd maintained a slight gap before starting?

 

[logosweld]

My first welding.Now i have a own company for welding machines suppliers.