Brothers looking for a chuckle?

[Jan]

First attempt using .6 wire and 4 LPM of 75/25 BOC gas (Volkszone) with an SIP 130



And after a couple of hours playing



On the other 'side'



As you might guess, the upper side is the Mr. Blobby from the top pic (zero penetration) and the lower side is the smoother weld in pic 2. Ignore the blow through on the right: That was someone else. If this had been a butt weld of 2 plates the 'better' weld would have been excessive penetration and required too much grinding back, but unless it's weakened the parent metal either side of the weld puddle it should be adequate for medium weight hobby use.

I can't afford any gas for a couple of weeks/mid February so I'll be trying a bit of flux welding for a few days. Pics posted as & when.

What do you think?

 

[Jan]

Tried the flux cored wire, but as I can't yet reverse the polarity the results are too embarrassing to post. Blobby, blobby ...

 

[jinjahbiscuit]

No worse than my first attempts or many others for that matter. I still haven't had the guts to post mine up! Keep at it.

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

You might need a bit more gas than that in anything but perfectly still air 4lpm isn't enough.

 

[Jan]

I can't swear that the gas flow was exactly 4lpm as the previous owner of the welder set it 'by experience' while he gave me some minimal coaching. However we were indoors with no detectable draughts so it could have been sufficient in the circumstances. Once I've got a gas bottle, gauges, flow meter. etc. I'll have a play with the various settings and see what works for me.

 

[gaz1]

just to let you know it was set at 14lpm at the regulator without testing the nozel end with a gas flow tester the regulator is untested as well so could be lower or higher than set

http://www.weldequip.com/gas-flow-tester.htm

from reading the forums it should be around 10/14lpm at nozel end i think

jinjah please post your pics up it helps to have help and aid from others as we all make mistakes

 

[jinjahbiscuit]

!!!!!
I'll have a go

 

[Jan]

I'm positive you said 4lpm. I've seen those nozzle flow meters, but I would rather have a fixed inline one next to the gauge(s).

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

He did

 

[Jan]

Here's a thought: Has any one tried welding with pure nitrogen or any kind of nitrogen mix (other than air of course)? I can't see there being any financial advantage, but how might it affect weld porosity or strength? Also have any other noble gasses been used in welding? eg neon, xenon, krypton. Just kinda looking for info, like, innit.

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

Nitrogen is what your trying to keep out the weld amongst other things.

 

[Jan]

Now we're cooking with gas

and now we're not