First welds with Argoshield light

[Harry m]

Got the Argoshield yesterday done a few runs this morning on 1mm and 2mm would appreciate any comments and help.

 

[Richard.]

You don't need any help there. They look very clean with the bear minimum of spatter.
It's only a case of practicing straight and steady.
Set up and technique appears to be working well.

 

[Harry m]

Thank you just need to get my hands on some more steel and get at it, next step will be joining some together.when I've had a bit more practice.

 

[Harry m]

So I've had ago at butt welding some 1mm steel using the lowest settings on the welder but no joy blowing through all the time l've tried leaving a .5mm gap and spot welding every inch and as I plan welding some car panels me thinks I'll be needing some help and pointing in the right direction Please.

 

[Harry m]

I've been on the tutorial page and as you have said, it say don't leave a gap on thin steel I'll give it a go tomorrow no gap and upping the wire speed thanks for the help will report back

 

[Harry m]

Might not be the 'proper' way, but...

Don't leave a gap - put a good few tacks in to keep everything in place.

Try a higher setting - it might seem counterintuitive to turn up the heat if you're burning through, but it'll let you throw more metal at it and move much faster, thereby actually reducing the heat soaking into the panel.

Don't weave... Yes, some people say it helps with thin sheet, but I fail to see how. Weaving about just pumps heat in until the whole lot slumps out and rolls down your sleeve.

Well tried this to day and it works a lot better and has given me some thing to work on odd blow through but 100% better than yesterday

Will need a few more hours at it but I can now see a way forward just need to get some more steel to practice on.


Thanks for the help will post some photos of the results

 

[backpurge]

Looking good, keep at it I'm sure you will have it cracked in no time

 

[njc110381]

You're well ahead of me fella. They look really good. One thing I've learned in life is that even when things look simple, they rarely are until you get a bit of time on the job. It's a bit like driving. At first it seems impossible but once you have the hours under your belt you could do it blindfolded, well almost!

 

[Kent]

Few will zip right along a 1 mm butt in sheet with mig. Especially an open butt
In reality it's a series of tacks and short welds interlinked. Back- stepping is often employed as your not re- starting on the hottest place. This helps with distortion and blowing through

What diameter wire have you spooled?

 

[Harry m]

Thanks for the encouragement still need to find some steel to practice on.

Kent, I'm running .8 wire the welder is a Cebora 160.

 

[Kent]

Thanks for the encouragement still need to find some steel to practice on.

Kent, I'm running .8 wire the welder is a Cebora 160.

That will be fine

 

[gaz1]

if you want some steel to practice on try looking around for thrown out metal beds theres plenty of steel with those all in box section or round tube

they are quite thin metal but great for practicing upon

 

[Harry m]

if you want some steel to practice on try looking around for thrown out metal beds theres plenty of steel with those all in box section or round tube
they are quite thin metal but great for practicing upon

That seem a good plan I'll keep an eye out when out with dog

 

[trewjohn2001]

Don't completely give up on gapping for butt welds. It needs a lot less grinding once you get the hang of it. On new sheet metal it's fairly easy to do with 0.6mm wire on 1mm steel and should be very easy on 1.5mm.

 

[Harry m]

Will have to get back at it had loads to do Land Rover needs some TLC.

 

[Eddie Cairns]

Some guidance on car bodywork repairs please, when do you use .6mm and when do you use .8mm or is .8mm the best average size to use.

eddie

 

[Kent]

0.6 is dearer and most just use 0.8. I have only used 0.6 once In test. I have welded super thin with 0.8 wire including metal filter mesh ( it don't get much thinner)

 

[Eddie Cairns]

Thanks both!

 

[WorkshopChris]

To be honest its more down to brand the diameter.
The last batch of body work i was welding started off with a part reel of unbranded 1mm, horrible on thin sheet, so changed to a part reel of .8mm again white box stuff, same horrible results. Both welded at 3mm plus ok ish, in desperation i called in at local welding supply and got a new 5k of super six in .6mm as that's what they recon they sold a lot of to people for bodywork. It was better but still not great but better.
Then put the .8mm back in to weld up some 2,5mm box for a stand, ran out.
Picked up a box of lincoln .8mm from the local place again wow what a difference, it was welding like a different machine. if i hadn't off seen if myself you would of thought someone had fine tuned the inductance coil on the machine and added a few capacitors to the output. Same gas, torch & liner same setting and same box section.
In a side by side comparison the difference was night & day.
Always use to use branded wire when i was welding a lot but recent years its just been odd bits and pieces so have just been using up old any old reels kicking around.

 

[Harry m]

I'm in the same boat trying to weld thin stuff I'm using .8 wire and have decided to stick with it ,with the help of the folks on here l'm getting there.