Mig welding....what am I looking for in puddle etc...

[Lordspectre]

The noobness is strong in this one ......So I'm on my Mig course as some of yee may know from previous posts....So I create an arc and pushing along a puddle...a question I'm finding it hard to find an answer to(if there is even a straight answer) is....when im welding....what exactly am i looking for in so as I know when to push the puddle on a bit more? Puddle gets to a certain width?, arc at front changes colour briefly? puddle in the back changes to a specific colour? In terms of how slow/fast I move the gun it's hard for me to determine as I generally "guess" and end up too slow or fast.if I'm explaining badly let me know.any advice,tips or help is appreciated.

 

[james butler]

best method is to practice practice practice so you get a feel for what you are doing and what your machines capabilities are.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Tried to think how to answer this and can't really, I don't tend to look at the puddle just the area in front to ensure I am on track, distance away, speed of travel and angle is just something you develop over time and then ignore because you automatically do it.

 

[Lordspectre]

Tried to think how to answer this and can't really, I don't tend to look at the puddle just the area in front to ensure I am on track, distance away, speed of travel and angle is just something you develop over time and then ignore because you automatically do it.

More of a muscle memory kind if thing i expect? Was just trying to figure some way I could teach myself easier

 

[Lordspectre]

Blatantly stolen from someone who told me years ago (and recently found same thing on the internet, so it must be true )

Keep the wire feeding into the leading edge of the puddle - as the material melts in front if the torch, move along so you're on the leading edge.

Sorta like this terrible picture that may or may not clear it up or confuse you

View attachment 96635

Looks good man much appreciated.so basically when I see the metal at the very front of the arc melt away then I move on.Think I understand and appreciate both your efforts in trying to explainthe possibly unexplainable

 

[mike 109444]

There are some good videos on youtube with close ups of the weld pool and slow motion so you can see the individual droplets of molten metal travel in the arc (inc splatter!)

 

[cumbriasteve]

Well..remembering this thread I paid attention today when I had a bit of welding to do and I still can't give any answer better than PDG's because I realise I don't look at the pool at all, suppose because my jobs are nearly all the same thickness of steel so it has become second nature just to strike up and weld, looking where I am going rather than what I am doing.

 

[Lordspectre]

There are some good videos on youtube with close ups of the weld pool and slow motion so you can see the individual droplets of molten metal travel in the arc (inc splatter!)

Il do a search specifically for that now thanks

 

[Lordspectre]

Well..remembering this thread I paid attention today when I had a bit of welding to do and I still can't give any answer better than PDG's because I realise I don't look at the pool at all, suppose because my jobs are nearly all the same thickness of steel so it has become second nature just to strike up and weld, looking where I am going rather than what I am doing.

My tutors have pretty much said the same thing. 20-25 years experience for each of them and both had to have a think about my question as they said it's muscle memory at this stage but appreciate all the info from everyone

 

[arther dailey]

talking of muscle memory, its good to run the torch along the line couple of times first before you start just so you know you are comfortable and in correct position

 

[Lordspectre]

talking of muscle memory, its good to run the torch along the line couple of times first before you start just so you know you are comfortable and in correct position

I've started doing that and has helped.I found for the first while i was ruining welded as i was in a crappy position so my elbow might lock or jump at the wrong time and mess the weld but running the line has helped thanks