Beginers Do's and Do's

[Rivertest]

I finally got a chance to use my new Clarke 160TM today.

I've been on the forum for a while and just kept my head down and read the tutorials then read them again and again, and kept an eye on the posts in all relevant sections. Welding is truly a nightmare if you're starting out. When I got the cash together I then spoke to Weldequip and he recommended the welder. Only balls up so far is I bought a CO2 bottle AND THEN got advice from Weldequip, changed my mind and decided to go for a MIG mix, decision for this was I really needed to be able to weld the thin stuff and whilst I bet theres a few gurus out there who can with CO2 I thought I probably stood a better chance with a mix.

Anyway, I'm well chuffed, thanks for all your help guys.

I've uploaded a few pics, sorry but I couldn't work out how to do text between the images

1st and 2nd pics. Front and back.
Just over 1mm sheet.
Power Setting 1 Power Switch Low seemed best.
I was experimenting with power and wire speed. I'm fairly happy that in the end I had good penetration. A lot depended on how fast I moved the head. I found that having a good rest mad all the difference. Work was nearly horizontal

2nd and 3rd pics. Front a back
Just under 1mm sheet.
Power Setting 1 Power Switch Low
Same thickness metal but tried a crude butt weld, without being to careful. Work was about 30 degrees.

4th Picture. All the way through
Just under 1mm
Had to happen, it was going too well, it all went wrong. Tried a butt weld vertically. I know I'm definitely trying to run before I can
walk but I thought I'd have a go as so much of the work on my car is in situ so will be vertical.

I'll be practicing all of the above over the next few days, including different thicknesses and plug welds etc.

But in the mean time can anyone help me out with the vertical technique?
I didn't get the chance to try the pulse method as described in Malcolm's video, is that the kiddy?

Thanks again for all your help and advice.

R.T

 

[shenion]

For vertical on thin metal, try vertical down.

 

[paulmowers]

Yes, as scott says vertical down is easier as you are not fighting against gravity, if you have to go up, then do a bit then stop, if its really difficult try 1/2" bead then 1 or 2 second rest then go again, you can almost weld rust like this (not recomended).

By the way if those beads are your first ever welds then you are doing pretty good.

paul..

 

[Bellisin]

RT I have just received my 160TM from Weldequip (Great service by the way) but will not get to put tip to metal until the weekend when I can grab a bottle from BOC (unless anyone knows a better place to get gas near Ipswich for an occasional user).

If welding was an exam I would be right up there . Unfortunately it is not but I would say your first welds look pretty good for a 10 minute welder. Certainly I will ne pleased to meet a similar standard off the bat.

Keep us posted on your progress. I will send you some snaps of my first attempts next week to make you feel better (superior?).

Here is a link to what I will be working on.

My Bristol 409

Stuart

 

[Rivertest]

Thanks Paul

I'll give it a go I like the sound of the rust technique, I've got plenty of that to contend with

Stuart

I'm sure you'll be fine, just follow the tutorials to the letter, mind you since I started welding 'real world' on the motor things haven't gone so well
Theres no substitute from practice, advice from the boys here and experience I reckon.

Regards the 160 a couple of things may be useful to you.

[Quote from Weldquip]

"The On/Off switch only comes on when the Thermal Overload trips in (see little diagram next to it with the thermometer); if it lights up the machine will stop, fan keeps running, when it's cooled down & the light goes off you are back welding.
You can get what they call a 'gun gas flow tester' to accurately set gas flow at the torch; £9.85 post paid."

I haven't bothered with the flow meter. I unscrewed the regulator to the stop. Filed a mark at the top of the knob and then adjusted until I got reasonable results on the 1mm plate I'm using. On my reg thats 4 complete clockwise turns. Different thicknesses willl require different settings.

Oh yes and mains cable and torch pipe are a bit short.

Other than that its been good so far.

RT