Blowing holes

xillent · 2026-02-16T16:04:31+0000

I might answer my own question here. I've been happily MIG welding away. Still a bit sketchy but gradual improvement. However, I've been welding 1.6mm wall mild steel pipes and I've started blowing holes in it. I'm using 0.8mm wire. Presumably I'd be better off with 0.6mm.

badabec · 2026-02-16T16:37:36+0000

Stay with 0.8.
I put a small blob one side of the hole, 12 o'clock. Another blob opposite the first at 6 o'clock. Then 3 then nine if needed.
I'm better at filling holes than welding. I get plenty of practice.

BrokenBiker · 2026-02-16T16:47:17+0000

Stick with the 0.8 wire.

There are many methods of filling holes. Either a series of quick tacks around it and allowing time to cool as well if needed, or bump the settings down a bit cooler and when the metal is all fully cool, start at a particular point and run round the edge of the hole, then into the middle and snap out of it like breaking a stick weld.

They are my 2 go to methods

Maxakarudy · 2026-02-16T19:07:16+0000

1.6mm wall is quite thin stuff to weld, blowing holes might be due to a lot of factors, fit up, too high voltage, too low wire feed etc, I'd tend to be spot
welding that thin, not continuous.