Hi all,
Im a real beginner and have only done a few tacks and stitches on thin sheet/car body metal before. This is my first attempt on 3mm steel as I'm making the qubiquitous small portable welding bench.
My welder is the snap on/cebora turbo 130 and I'm using .6 wire with garage gas co2/argon mix.
After months of Internet research and YouTube videos I've taken on board the basics and understand that my welder is underpowered for 3mm box, but after this ill mainly be doing thin stuff. Anyway, I've prepped the sections and grinded out a V to get some penetration.
Do these look deep enough? I found that it was easier to tack in the centre of each joint, grind it flat then start to weld from the corner and over it. is that the correct technique?
Have a look at the welds. I think they're still too proud?
On this one I also think I'm not holding it long enough on the start and am moving off too quickly?
I find the corners quite tricky and an not sure how much to overlap onto the next weld. This is probably the best example and I really moved the torch around and finished with it almost horizontal to try and overlap. Is it better to actually weld the corners separately and treat them as one run?
Feedback would be appreciated. I've heard .8 wire will help better penetration?
I have done some test welds then cut them open to see how the joins are and I'd say the penetration goes in around 2mm, leaving a 1mm unjointed line - will post some pix later today - although this is only a bench I really want to get it right if it's possible with my welding gear and limited experience.
Many thanks
Ben
EDIT: whoops forgot to say power settings are on maximum!
Im a real beginner and have only done a few tacks and stitches on thin sheet/car body metal before. This is my first attempt on 3mm steel as I'm making the qubiquitous small portable welding bench.
My welder is the snap on/cebora turbo 130 and I'm using .6 wire with garage gas co2/argon mix.
After months of Internet research and YouTube videos I've taken on board the basics and understand that my welder is underpowered for 3mm box, but after this ill mainly be doing thin stuff. Anyway, I've prepped the sections and grinded out a V to get some penetration.
Do these look deep enough? I found that it was easier to tack in the centre of each joint, grind it flat then start to weld from the corner and over it. is that the correct technique?
Have a look at the welds. I think they're still too proud?
On this one I also think I'm not holding it long enough on the start and am moving off too quickly?
I find the corners quite tricky and an not sure how much to overlap onto the next weld. This is probably the best example and I really moved the torch around and finished with it almost horizontal to try and overlap. Is it better to actually weld the corners separately and treat them as one run?
Feedback would be appreciated. I've heard .8 wire will help better penetration?
I have done some test welds then cut them open to see how the joins are and I'd say the penetration goes in around 2mm, leaving a 1mm unjointed line - will post some pix later today - although this is only a bench I really want to get it right if it's possible with my welding gear and limited experience.
Many thanks
Ben
EDIT: whoops forgot to say power settings are on maximum!
