I had my first proper go at MIG welding today, so here are some pictures - can you let me know what you think?
My machine:
Murex by duncancmartin, on Flickr
Not much space
Not much space by duncancmartin, on Flickr
The first set of welds I did at sensible settings (wire speed of 3 was like setting off fireworks!) - for the first few the wire speed was still too high, but by about weld 4 I think I had it sorted out.
The steel is 1.6mm, the power setting 3, and first couple of welds were at a wire speed of a little under 2, the rest were at a speed of about 1.3.
Front:
First welds front 1.6mm by duncancmartin, on Flickr
Back:
First welds back by duncancmartin, on Flickr
The second set are much better and more consistent, though I need to maintain my speed better to get better penetration...
All on 1.6mm steel, poswer 3, speed 1.3.
Front
Second welds 1.6mm by duncancmartin, on Flickr
Back (think the picture is reversed compared to the one above)
Second welds back 1.6mm by duncancmartin, on Flickr
I then tried to tack the 2 bits together - it was quite tricky because they were both a bit curved, but I clamped them to the bench as best I could. Same settings as before
Top
First tack front 1.6mm by duncancmartin, on Flickr
Bottom
First tack back 1.6mm by duncancmartin, on Flickr
What do you think? I know I need more practise before I can actually do anything real. Is it worth practising running more beads, or should I start cutting it into strips so I can practise tacking (and ultimately seam welding) 2 bits together?
I need to get some more 1.6mm steel to do that, as all I've got left now are bits I tried to shape with a hammer and dolly (not very successful, 1.6mm CR4 is too damn thick)!
Cheers
Duncan
My machine:
Murex by duncancmartin, on Flickr
Not much space
Not much space by duncancmartin, on Flickr
The first set of welds I did at sensible settings (wire speed of 3 was like setting off fireworks!) - for the first few the wire speed was still too high, but by about weld 4 I think I had it sorted out.
The steel is 1.6mm, the power setting 3, and first couple of welds were at a wire speed of a little under 2, the rest were at a speed of about 1.3.
Front:
First welds front 1.6mm by duncancmartin, on Flickr
Back:
First welds back by duncancmartin, on Flickr
The second set are much better and more consistent, though I need to maintain my speed better to get better penetration...
All on 1.6mm steel, poswer 3, speed 1.3.
Front
Second welds 1.6mm by duncancmartin, on Flickr
Back (think the picture is reversed compared to the one above)
Second welds back 1.6mm by duncancmartin, on Flickr
I then tried to tack the 2 bits together - it was quite tricky because they were both a bit curved, but I clamped them to the bench as best I could. Same settings as before
Top
First tack front 1.6mm by duncancmartin, on Flickr
Bottom
First tack back 1.6mm by duncancmartin, on Flickr
What do you think? I know I need more practise before I can actually do anything real. Is it worth practising running more beads, or should I start cutting it into strips so I can practise tacking (and ultimately seam welding) 2 bits together?
I need to get some more 1.6mm steel to do that, as all I've got left now are bits I tried to shape with a hammer and dolly (not very successful, 1.6mm CR4 is too damn thick)!
Cheers
Duncan