- Thread starter wolfy1091
- Start date
Need tacks to not warp metal
Oh c'mon MM - the OP is just starting out & learning - cut him some slack eh!
Erie Fred
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Really ?
W-O-W !
You have any actual advice instead of joking around?
Anything else
8ob
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@wolfy1091 you are doing ok, I would say the volts are where you need to be but the wire feed needs backing off a tiny bit. A few tricks worth mentioning are getting yourself into a comfy position where you can prop/steady your arm while you weld, I dont know many that can stoop over their work and hold a straight line, other little trick is to scribe/mark a line either side of the weld as a guide. Other than that keep practising, you will get more goes out of the test pieces if you run a 1mm thick cutting disc up them.
Bob
Honestly I'm not experienced enough to feel qualified to advise about welding, when there are so many on here that really can "walk the walk" with a welder.
I'm just a self-taught hobbyist occasional user, & don't use it practice enough to get good.
I remember well when I first started, maybe 4-years-ago though... & so I understand where you're at. Welding isn't just a science where if you use the right settings you're good - it's a learned art/skill.
Getting advice and hints/tips (& reading the tutorials on this Forum) is helpful - but "torch time" learning what settings work with different thickness metals and joints with your welder, and getting your technique and positioning right, ensuring you have enough light to see the weld pool and your welding line are all going to improve your results.
I will say that starting out on thicker metal welding is easier to get a good weld and build confidence. Thin stuff is much harder IMO, so having some success on 2mm plus metal can help you adapt to thinner stuff.
Practice. Then Practice some more (this from me who doesn't practice nearly enough lol).
Mark 2
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Really not that much to worry about. Try different lengths of tack/stitch and see how your penetration and distortion go. That will also help with telling if your settings are OK.
You know what you are looking for so just experiment and collate, that turns into experience.
You know what you are looking for so just experiment and collate, that turns into experience.
Erie Fred
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You asked for advice, and I gave you some.
then you come back and TELL me like I am wrong.
Why bother taking time from my busy schedule when
you don't want to learn ?
Bye !
carbon
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If you look at the picture @8ob posted with the 1mm gap and the weld bead it has a lot less distortion than your series of tack welds. Just practice welding beads on a flat plate before attempting to join two pieces together. When you are comfortable welding beads on the plate then progress to joining two plates together.
I said what I'm planing on doing. You keep giving advice to do the complete oppitsite. of what I'm trying to do.
What distortion are you seeing? I'm asking so I can try to see it. It's bowed in from the center but its all even no waving. I think its because the metal wasnt clamped down flat. I had it resting a 1/4 inch on wood on both sides after tacking the top and bottom nothing suporting the center. I checked each side with a straight edge and saw no other warping.
I did a couple of beads acidently and it looked the same on back as the top.
Yes, keep your tacks in line...
Personally, I'm not a tacky person, prefer to run a bead. It's harder to get right, easy to get wrong.
