First Welds.....Lots of Spatter?

[Ducky]

Managed to commandeer some scraps of metal so I could try out the welder today , however I don't know if it's the metal (I sanded the surface so it was clean) but when welding it was throwing out lots of 'spatter' I guess, and then leaving the metal like rusty coloured... Would that be down to the settings I'm using or the metal I'm welding on?

Just had a play with wire speed and various power settings. The wire speed seems really slow and I have it on 6-7 now (max 10 I think). Wondering if perhaps I need to move slower instead, although it seems to work quite well on that speed even if I change power settings.

Super6 - 0.8mm wire / Argoshield Light gas (set to about 10ltr/m flow) / Oxford Migmaker 240 welder

Also I found the MB25 torch a bit cumbersome/obstructive and often kept catching the nozzle on the work surface, I'm waiting for an MB15 to turn up and hopefully it will be easier to manage.

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

I would say - Top Pic : going from right to left, the 2nd and 3rd weld is something what you are looking for. the following welds going left are getting narrower and taller and not what you want. I guess you were either gradually increasing the wire speed or lowering the power, with each weld (going from right to left). Doesnt seem to be much of a spatter problem though, judging from the pics.

Keep it up, you are doinng well.

 

[Ducky]

I would say - Top Pic : going from right to left, the 2nd and 3rd weld is something what you are looking for. the following welds going left are getting narrower and taller and not what you want. I guess you were either gradually increasing the wire speed or lowering the power, with each weld (going from right to left). Doesnt seem to be much of a spatter problem though, judging from the pics.

Keep it up, you are doinng well.

Ah cheers for that , yes going left to right I increased the power as I'd read about narrow/tall welds on here.

The spatter is more about what's firing off when I'm welding (like a spray), not actually sticking on the work...is that usual when welding?

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

yeah thats nrmal

 

[chunkolini]

Looks like a good point to start from
Mine were horrendous for ages.
Not much spatter that I can see.
To get an idea of what spatter looks and sounds like stay at that power and tuen the wire speed up. (note where it is set first).
It can help to set things up wrong and see what fixes it when you are starting out.

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

Mig welding does produce spatter even when the settings are right for the particular job you are doing. Spatter will increase if the settings are not balanced correct though. Just make sure there are no flamables nearby

Spatter will decrease when using globular or spray transfer techniques, usually with higher spec machines, but that is another subject altogether.

 

[Ducky]

Ah ok, that's good to know then, I was wondering if it was something I was doing or a problem with the metal I was using.

Lol, yes I'm not taking any chances with flammables, have hung two welding curtains up in the garage to protect the posessions, and installed a fire extinguisher.

Just need to get myself some more metal now!

I'll try inducing spatter also Chunk, to see the effect. Thanks!

 

[chunkolini]

Watch out for stuff like rags and bits of paper on the floor and under benches, the little blobs are high energy beasties and can go a long way.

 

[mike 109444]

Watch out for stuff like rags and bits of paper on the floor and under benches, the little blobs are high energy beasties and can go a long way.

And always seam to find that gap in yer boot that leads down to the underside of your foot so you end up trying to lift your foot in the boot untill it cools Ouch

 

[paramedicpete]

I never had a whole pair of socks all the time I welded lol

Pete

 

[steveo3002]

Watch out for stuff like rags and bits of paper on the floor and under benches, the little blobs are high energy beasties and can go a long way.

and dont just pack up welding and go indoors , i try to hang about and tidy up or something incase theres something smuldering away unseen

 

[Ducky]

I keep the welding area free of anything that might catch fire, it's sited away from my workbench where all the oily rags are.