Butt weld on 1mm thick metal

[Harry Worth]

Finally feel I've made some progress - was setting my power to get a tack with good penetration and then trying to do the butt weld on the same settings. A local chap restoring a Jowett put me straight. Feel I'm making progress - I've reduced the power once I've done the tacks and can almost do a run - Please any pointers on my technique - I notice the height of the weld is the same on the bottom as the top - does this mean I'm still using too much power?

Still having problems staying on the join too - even with a lot more light!

 

[Chickenjohn]

Harry, you don't need to do a run- nobody ever really does long runs on thin car bodywork! The overlapped pulsed technique, or short (1/2 inch) runs between the tacks are fine on thin (1mm) steel. Very strong and provided there is no gaps, well up to MOT standard.

Trying to do a long run will cause distortion and blow holes due to excessive heat build up, just do very short runs, jumping around to minimise heat build up.

Read my advice on the other thread and especially read up on the thin metal technique on this site. It is the way to go on 1mm car bodywork. You have got the technique and settings right before. Just need to work on your aim and steady hand! You are going off the join a bit.

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/thin-metal.htm

This is how to do it:-

 

[Harry Worth]

Cheers John

Thanks John - I'll go back to practising the pulse technique - I think I'll find your advice on the position of my head useful - I'm keeping quite well away at present (natural reluctance to sticking my head in an oven possibly) - getting up close may be the solution to my aim problem.

 

[Chickenjohn]

Harry, I know what you mean! It is a bit scary when first learning to mig weld- or it was for me, I don't mind admitting that . I found that when overcoming the fear- that relaxing and putting head and eyes nearer to weld helped a lot with getting the aim right and staying on the line. After all, the welding helmet protects so it is really safe to get close to the weld pool.

You are doing well! Keep it up!

 

[Harry Worth]

Cheers

I'll post some pics after my weekend foray - Noticed you're a Mac man - reckon if Apple made a welder it would be a Kemppi 150/180 Adaptive (in graphite rather than that orange though)!