Practice beads

[bloke]

Hi all,

I have just refreshed my learning curve due to other reasons, using Clarke 151EN, 0.8 wire, Argon CO2 mix at 6LPM

any advice gratefully received

 

[bloke]

151EN settings

The settings are the numbers and letters combination.

 

[bloke]

These are the rear of the plates, all done on 3mm sheet.

Penetration is poor on some but not bad on others IMHO.

The A3MAx7 has god penetration but the wire speed I think was too fast as it kept popping and throwing off a lot of spatter.

 

[Piero]

Theres a difference between heat discolouration and penetration.

I would surgest trying thinner gauge steel.
I would bet your welds improve greatly.

 

[Jim Davey]

Try leaving the voltage alone and just adjust the feed speed in small increments noting the difference, you are looking to achieve smoothness and consistency first, worry about heat input second. Also concentrate on pushing the torch right to left of left to right (whichever hand you favour) in a very steady movement, its looks as though you may be changing travel speed a fair bit. Once you can master setting the balance of feed speed vs volts you can use this knowledge for working on thick or thin material.

 

[bloke]

Weld speed and control.

I take on board what your saying, I think if I made a taller table it would assist control. At present I'm using an old metal framed wood topped table. I do have to bend over a fair bit as sitting down is probably not a viable option. Would 3mm sheet doubled up to 6mm be good enough for a top?

 

[Jim Davey]

Thicker the better for bench tops, 10mm is nice, you can beat things into submission on it, and heat doesn't transfer through it too fast either, heavy and expensive though but a worthwhile investment.