I have had a Clarke 151EN (set up with bottled gas) for a few years, mostly used for landrover repairs using 1-3mm sheet. I have a 5mm thick suspension bracket to weld to the axle and I was wondering if anyone had any tips or advice, as I've not welded that thickness before. I've attached a couple of pictures of the part and someone else's repair
I usually have it on 2/min or 2/max* for the thinner stuff and adjust the feed till I'm getting a good noise and height of bead. If I get a good bead height, glowing metal and don't make holes I feel pretty confident it's a good weld but I'm a bit nervous about the thicker stuff given that it's a critical component. I have got the best results with cinching the pieces up tight so there's no gap and just going a steady straight line without any weaving. I'm not sure if a different technique would be beneficial for the thicker metal or if I should be preheating it or leaving a bigger gap. I've read some of @gaz1 posts regarding this machine and it sounds like, although at the upper end of what the machine can deal with, it should be able to cope ok.
I think the axle casing varies in thickness but I understand it is around 5mm as well. I use it with argon/co2 and 8mm wire.
I've got some 5mm sheet on the way for practice and I'm looking forward to having a go at something thicker!
Any advice much appreciated
*the machine has 6 power settings, this is settings 3 and 4
I usually have it on 2/min or 2/max* for the thinner stuff and adjust the feed till I'm getting a good noise and height of bead. If I get a good bead height, glowing metal and don't make holes I feel pretty confident it's a good weld but I'm a bit nervous about the thicker stuff given that it's a critical component. I have got the best results with cinching the pieces up tight so there's no gap and just going a steady straight line without any weaving. I'm not sure if a different technique would be beneficial for the thicker metal or if I should be preheating it or leaving a bigger gap. I've read some of @gaz1 posts regarding this machine and it sounds like, although at the upper end of what the machine can deal with, it should be able to cope ok.
I think the axle casing varies in thickness but I understand it is around 5mm as well. I use it with argon/co2 and 8mm wire.
I've got some 5mm sheet on the way for practice and I'm looking forward to having a go at something thicker!
Any advice much appreciated
*the machine has 6 power settings, this is settings 3 and 4