Hi all

[Davie]

Well, I did it. Bought my 1st welder, a Clarke 105EN. Havent tried it yet, weather not favourable, but already have a couple of jobs in mind, starting with fixing the electric window control arm om my fiances car.

So, how long should it take me to be of a passable standard?

God, I so hope I havent wasted my cash!!!!!!!

 

[malcolm]

Welcome to the forum Davie,

It should be possible to make bits of metala stick together in an afternoon. The trick is starting laying weld on scrap metal to get the arc running smoothly, then progressing to join a couple of bits of metal together. That'll build up confidence enough to work on the parts you actually want to weld.

Second trick is using one of the full face masks so you can weld with both hands.

Let us know how you get on - it's lovely weather today (if a little chilly).

 

[Davie]

1st weld!!!!!

Just finished my 1st weld. Only a very short (bout 1.5 inch) butt weld on a window regulator arm, but surprised how easy I found it. Tho is it normal to have to weld both sides on something about 2mm thick? or was i just moving too fast?

Did a 'try and break it with a pair of mole grips' test and it held tho, so guess it should be ok.

Did have to do the job twice tho, 1st piece I tried to weld in was too bloody small!!!!

EDIT:- Also, I seemed to be getting alot of spatter. How can I reduce this? Does anit spatter spray actually work and how do I use it?

 

[malcolm]

Sounds like a good weld - if it doesn't break then it's doing the job.

Try welding on max power and a little more slowly. If you just get a load of weld build up and no more penetration then it's possible the Clarke 105 doesn't have enough oomph for 2mm sheet. Thinning the metal at the joint into a 90 degree "V" might help, but welding both sides sounds like a reasonable approach.

Are you running with gasless wire? That does tend to splatter a lot. If you clean up the metal so it's shiny with an angle grinder or sand paper that can reduce splatter. I've never tried anti-splatter spray so someone else will have to advise on that one.