I am getting there!

[SipMerlin150]

I'm getting the hang of rod position and travel speed, with good branded rods all of my beads are 'peelers' the whole length of slag lifts up to a 45 degree angle like a finger.

My Uncle who's a Mig,Tig , Gas & arc welder has supplied me with 4 8mm plates 20 x 20cm to practice upon, and a sealey autoshield helmet, which i must say is the best thing yet! I may get a new twist grip electrode holder now i'm beginning to get progress from my cheap buzz box...

In the pictures below you will see my strings, but also a couple where i've attempted to zig-zag bead between to old strings, then a freehand one.

Rods used were 3.2mm and 2.5mm 6013's

 

[cumbriasteve]

Certainly a lot of difference to the photo you first showed us

Amazing how being able to see instead of closing your eyes helps

Well done..some nice runs there.

 

[Bsmith]

Alright for a beginner but on the cool side really as the welds are high especially the weave welds. More amps and you got it.

 

[SipMerlin150]

Certainly a lot of difference to the photo you first showed us

Amazing how being able to see instead of closing your eyes helps

Well done..some nice runs there.

Thank you very much! I was foolish initially and was excited to get going... My advice to anyone who is starting up is to get a decent autoshield visor and get themselves signed up to this forum!

I've also applied to a local college for a 50 hour part time Arc welding course which will x-ray exam welds and train me to produce structurally sound strength welds with certification.... That hopefully begins in April, so by the time that comes around, all of my practice will put me at an advantage

 

[SipMerlin150]

Alright for a beginner but on the cool side really as the welds are high especially the weave welds. More amps and you got it.

I realise i need a few more amps, especially with the 3.2's, but anything at or over 1/2 power on the welder, the extension lead fuse pops, BUT, pinched the extension chord from work with thicker gauge flex and at 1/2 of full power its not popped a fuse, so i will proceed to up the amps The 2.5mm are what i've been mainly using.

 

[backpurge]

Look to be making good progress, agree with the points above but as you say you are limited due to your power source

 

[SipMerlin150]

Look to be making good progress, agree with the points above but as you say you are limited due to your power source

Power Source has been sorted! It was a cheapy extension chord that kept popping its fuse... I've pinched a thicker wired extension lead that originally used to run a lincoln compact 185 mig welder, and now i'm able to used the buzz box at 100% without glitch.. I was expecting it to be louder, hotter and generally more vicious when welding.. but to my surprise its pretty tame.... This 150 amp buzz box is a wussy!

I'm going to install a cooling fan inside the case (away from the thermal cut-out diode) to increase cooling, thus increase the rather low duty cycle.