First welds

[Cris B]

Not sure why you're weaving so much Cris, there's no need to and it's making your welds 3 times the width they should be so wire/gas/leccy/time all being wasted.
On a thin metal butt weld you want it as small as possible (but with adequate penetration of course) as you'll most likely be grinding it down afterwards.

Fair enough point. I will work on that tomorrow.

 

[scarecrow]

keep playing you are getting there. not that i can talk as i haven't mig anything under 3mm yet

 

[gavuk]

Getting better Chris,stop weaving ...lol...watch Malc's video again no weave.....you will make life easier for yourself if you grind the tack down as you approach them......I see your other thread ,please resist the temptation to dive in on the car yet....remember using the grinder to tidy after welding will be a lot more tricky and in many instances may proove impossible......most people find it as difficult again to weld on the car.....bad earth.contaminants etc and thin steel add to the fun.......you don't get pro vs amateur here just people trying to help,based on their own experience........I, like everyone else here want to make it as easy and pleasant experience to learn to weld.....certainly not trying to slow your progress etc..don't rush in you will live to regret it.........practice more and replicate the positions you need to weld on the car........good progress though...

 

[Steve182]

Latest pics are a vast improvement over the original ones, it's definaltely a time thing with welding, some of the lads at college are on their second year and still producing welds like yours so just think how good you will be in a year if you have improved this much in a few weeks.

 

[Cris B]

Aye, I'm in no rush to wreck the car. I will practice plenty before cracking on with the shell repairs. I can see the improvement in my own work and more importantly I have more confidence with the equipment now it has the settings dialled in. I feel like I am now on the right track with the technique. It just needs refinement.

I am also trying to get my head around having to fab up repair panels as well which is what you are seeing in the project thread. This is my first foray into metal working, but it seems quite common sense. Onwards and upwards

Thanks again for all the comments and support. I am glad I posted the pics of the s**t welds as they gave me a good reality check!

 

[Cris B]

So after my daily butt welding practice, I had a crack at some plug welds today. I am not sure why the welds seem to have grow 'tails' back up towards the tip as I finish the welds?

I varied the length of time each hole was plugged for to gauge the effects.

 

[Cris B]

These were the butt welds from today - trying to keep it neat, but ended up a bit wavy. Side to side action eliminated.

 

[gavuk]

Looking better Chris ,what have you used to clean the steel you are using ?...really would help to try thicker and different steel and see wether the tails appear ,looks like contamination .....when you can get the vertical,and overhead at least this good then try on the car.. bear in mind this is a quick and easy way of tackling car welding which i'm not suggesting is used on anything thicker than car panels....

 

[Wozzaaah]

Much better Cris!
Lacking penetration in a few places but a huge improvement in appearance.

 

[Cris B]

Cheers - feel like I am getting there

Looking better Chris ,what have you used to clean the steel you are using ?...really would help to try thicker and different steel and see wether the tails appear ,looks like contamination .....when you can get the vertical,and overhead at least this good then try on the car.. bear in mind this is a quick and easy way of tackling car welding which i'm not suggesting is used on anything thicker than car panels....

To clean the steel, I've just been giving these test pieces a really good brush over with a handheld wire brush that's only ever been used for cleaning sheet steel so is in good condition. I may try puzzing over with a clean and strip disc or a twisted knot drill bit instead before doing some more practice.

 

[gavuk]

Is it new steel Chis?....looks like your cutting it from a larger sheet?....have you access to anything else steel wise?old angle iron ,brackets, anything thicker and different .....also make sure the shroud is clean every now and again....feels good when it starts to come right doesn't it ....especially when you can't blame the machine

 

[eddie49]

A great improvement over the past few days; well done!
For the plug welds, what size holes are you drilling/punching? I would suggest starting at 3/8in / 10mm, then if you prefer, drop a couple of sizes after some practice. Point the tip at the back sheet, or at the edge of the hole if the upper sheet is thicker, run around in a quick spiral, release the trigger and flick the torch away quickly. That should leave a well-filled hole with no dimple or tail.

 

[Phataz1]

Welds have improved loads! Nice work!