A little happier with this... but is it okay?

[WoodlandsWelder]

Hello, back again, I've been practising a little more and decided to try again, opinions please:

 

[spaffmonkey]

Hi

To me it looks a bit blobby whats the penetration like ?

If you are not already try:

Spot weld the two bit of metal about every inch then go back and infill using the start stop method make's life a lot easier when starting out until you get the hang of things.

 

[WoodlandsWelder]

Haven't got any pictures of that unfortunately, but it seems to be going through about I think, I've had a but comparing to this, it is between the second and third.

 

[spaffmonkey]

I've had a but comparing to this, it is between the second and third.

Sorry in English

 

[WoodlandsWelder]

Wow... that was bad english... not even sure how I managed that. Try again haha

I haven't got any pictures of the oppostite side, but it seems to be going through fairly well... comparing it to the picture it is somewhere between the second and third weld.

 

[spaffmonkey]

Wow... that was bad english... not even sure how I managed that. Try again haha

I haven't got any pictures of the oppostite side, but it seems to be going through fairly well... comparing it to the picture it is somewhere between the second and third weld.

That make's more scence

That sound about right then so it's just down to practice now getting the hand movement flowing which can be tricky!
I'ts easyer to practice on some thicker of cuts so you can take your time getting the hang of the movment without worrying about burning through. then once mastered the movment try on the thinner stuff which you might just have to go a bit quicker.

Also if it looks a bit messy grind it back down and lay another layer over it.

 

[pedrobedro]

If the gap you see at the front of the picture is the gap all the way along I'd say try to get the edges closer together. Use both hands to steady as it looks like you have wandered a lot from side to side and strayed a bit further away with the gun at times and speed varied.

 

[gavuk]

Are you using an automatic darkening headsheild?,makes life a lot easier when starting out ,also marking the edge with french chalk helps follow a line ,use the thin metal technique and start the next spot at the leading edge of the last so they ovelap well.....where in somerset are you ?....might help to visit a local forum member and get some tips ....

 

[Wozzaaah]

Hello, back again, I've been practising a little more and decided to try again, opinions please:

Honestly? Only marginally better than your last attempt!
I think you're trying to run before you can walk to be brutally honest.
My suggestion is to get some reasonably thick steel, 2-3mm and just run bead after bead until you can consistently lay down respectable looking welds.
Then, and only then, move on to trying joints.
When you're confident running welds on thicker stuff, try some thinner stuff and see how you get on.
Once you've mastered it you'll find it so much easier to work on your car.
At least you're heading in the right direction so you can give yourself a small pat on the back for now.

I'll second what Gav says though, I think you really need someone to show you where you're going wrong and point you in the right direction.

 

[WoodlandsWelder]

Thanks again for advice, I went to a bit of a gathering at a garage this weekend, they showed me how it should be done, and quite quickly realised what I was doing wrong.

I have now purchased a self darkening mask, makes things alot easier.

Also it seems as I wasn't overlapping the welds enough, so things weren't lining up, it is alot more consistent if you weld onto the top of other weld then move away. I was I guess... just filling gaps, and moving too far between each weld.

Thanks

Matt

 

[gavuk]

Nice one Matt....shows how useful some one on one time really is