So in preparation for replacing what will probably end up being half of an NA6 MX5, I've been trying to figure out how to butt-join 0.8mm sheet. After discovering a whole lot of conflicting information around the internet of how hot and how fast I should be going I figured I should probably just start trying it myself.
I've got a Paton StandardMIG 200 and I'm running 0.6 wire and a 85/15 argon/c02 mix. With the settings around 18v and 5.5m/m I'm relatively confident I'm at least heading in the right direction. But it feels like there's quite a lot of wiggle room and I can adjust the wire speed up or down by half a meter per minute and the voltage up or down by half a volt and not see a whole load of difference. There looks to be a bit less penetration on 17.5/5 than 18/5.5, but I'm not sure if that's the whole story.
And jfc this stuff moves around on you, one spot weld and the whole panel closes up towards the other end, a few welds in and everything starts warping even if I cool it down with a damp cloth every half inch or so. Am I just being too impatient? I wouldn't be surprised if this were the case but I wanted to make sure that I at least had the idea down first before I get too deep. It's perfect practice that makes perfect after all.
I've got a Paton StandardMIG 200 and I'm running 0.6 wire and a 85/15 argon/c02 mix. With the settings around 18v and 5.5m/m I'm relatively confident I'm at least heading in the right direction. But it feels like there's quite a lot of wiggle room and I can adjust the wire speed up or down by half a meter per minute and the voltage up or down by half a volt and not see a whole load of difference. There looks to be a bit less penetration on 17.5/5 than 18/5.5, but I'm not sure if that's the whole story.
And jfc this stuff moves around on you, one spot weld and the whole panel closes up towards the other end, a few welds in and everything starts warping even if I cool it down with a damp cloth every half inch or so. Am I just being too impatient? I wouldn't be surprised if this were the case but I wanted to make sure that I at least had the idea down first before I get too deep. It's perfect practice that makes perfect after all.