I know you've covered this topic before so apologies for going over old groung, but I want to repair a cast iron 'apron' from an old lathe. It has cracked - see pic - and am interested to know if this is possible to 'MIG'. It is about 4mm thick
I've done a fair bit of MIG welding on my Mini project, spurred on by advice on here. It is really just some patch repairs on inner sills and some plug welding in order to attach new sills, nothing major so I don't expect the car to break in half! I think I've done a reasonable job and am...
I'm going to start practising some MIG 'spot' welding on some pre-drilled steel. It's about 1mm as the car panels I'll eventually be doing. Has anybody got a gas Clarke 151TE (as mine). I've been doing a reasonable job butt welding on Power 2 'MIN' & wire speed 6.5, with CO2/Argon mix. I'm...
I've tried it on the lower setting and it does seem to be coming now - only thing is the penetration doesn't seem as good, which I suppose makes sense. As ever the welds aren't pretty but I'm still doing it one handed using a lollipop mask so I expect to improve when I get a 'proper' mask...
Thanks Malcolm - shame that, I've found it generally easier to run practice beads with more power and faster wire speed so looks like I'll have to go back and try again with the lower settings. It seems I have way too much power at my disposal here as I only want to put a Mini back together...
I got back to long overdue practice last night with my new MIG. Thought i was doing well with some neat beads etc but tried some butt welding on 1mm steel and blew holes in both edges all the way along - useless!! Usual questions: Too much power (2 on a Clarke 151 TE), too close, too slow, gap...
Let me know how you get on
I'll be doing exactly this very soon afeter a bit more practice with my MIG. Just not replacing the bonnet (that doesn't involve any welding anyway does it?!!). Be interested to know how you get/got on and appreciate any tips. How are you wrapping the ends of the...
Yes - tried it tonight - clearly better. I've also turned the power up a notch now my 'travel control' has improved and I'm getting 'the sizzle' with the wire on 6 and a bit. This feels right to me - bit like when you know you've hit a cricket ball just right - just a case of keeping it in a...
JR - it does seem obvious when you suss it, but like you I haven't seen a big problem with the welds more than you'd expect from a beginner. I was hoping for some miracle cure to my let's say - less than perfect results! Anyway - give a go properly tomorrow and see what happens. At least I know...
...but I've been practising with my new MIG for an hour or so for past three nights and thought it was coming on OK. I'm using the gas (CO2) bottle supplied and hence it has no guage. Thought I'd check if there was any still in by putting upside down in water. Turned tap to 3 as advised on...
Hi Malcolm - the Haynes is useful and it's always worth having books to browse when you have a minute, it's just hard to square spending anything when your daughter needs shoes! This one covers arc, tig, mig, the lot - can't see me doing more than MIG but you never know. It's quite interesting...
I too have a shiney new 151TE delivered last Wednesday which is proving quite hard to use, but got to get practising! Invested in £5 worth of 20guage steel (£5 gets 6 kilos) and am currently making a complete mess of it. This site looks useful though and has already answered some questions. Wish...