Butt Welding - any suggestions?

[Muggins the Mug]

Hi folks,

I tried my hand at butt welding a few days ago and it was a disaster. I got two piece of 5mm plate and laid them side by side with a 1.5mm-2mm gap, after grinding each face to 45° thereby giving me a V slot between them.

I used a 2.5mm rod to do the weld both plates together, but my rod control was rotten. Should have I used a 3.2mm rod on 5mm plate and should the gap between the two plate have been larger?

Any pointers are welcome.

Regards,

Ian.

 

[bawjaws]

post a pic, id think a 2.5 would do it ok especially with a root and a gap

 

[Muggins the Mug]

post a pic, id think a 2.5 would do it ok especially with a root and a gap

Erm sorry baws, I binned it as scrap.

Regards,

Ian.

 

[HasBean]

Would've said a 2.5 gap but don't v all the way, leave a root face of 2mm ish and a 2.5mm rod should work ok (BTW I still haven't cracked this one )

 

[Paul.]

Would've said a 2.5 gap but don't v all the way, leave a root face of 2mm ish and a 2.5mm rod should work ok (BTW I still haven't cracked this one )

Thats just about right, the included angle of the vee preparation wants to be 60 to 80 deg, use a 2.5 electrode, and practice by varying the root gap, I'd probably use about 80 - 85 amps with an E6013, and learn to control the arc by opening and closing the arc length, longer arc = more heat, Thats probably the most difficult joint for a beginner, but when you've mastered it, you're well set for the other types of joint

 

[Drains]

What happened Mugs? Blowing holes, failing to join the plates, what?

Can't really add to what Hasbeen and Paul say - on the money there. Leave a gap as wide as the rod, and a mill or so of land. You need to push the rod into the joint, to get penetration.

 

[Muggins the Mug]

What happened Mugs? Blowing holes, failing to join the plates, what?

Can't really add to what Hasbeen and Paul say - on the money there. Leave a gap as wide as the rod, and a mill or so of land. You need to push the rod into the joint, to get penetration.

Hi Drains,

Rod control went to pot and made a complete ar$e of it, binned the resulting pile of crap in disgust. The starting point was off and the rod "weaved" all over the place afterwards. It looked as bad as the first ever set of beads I did.

Regards,

Ian.

 

[Muggins the Mug]

Thats probably the most difficult joint for a beginner, but when you've mastered it, you're well set for the other types of joint

Hi Paul,

This being the case, what would you suggest as an easier joint to try?

Regards,

Ian.

 

[Drains]

A lap joint is the easiest. Good for teaching control. Outside corner is interesting. Fillet joint also - maximum amps for that one. Butt is the hardest to do right.

(I know, my name's not Paul... just couldn't resist! )

 

[snowcat]

I personally nearly always root up with a 3.25, personal preference, its nimble enough for most root work.....

apart from that theres little to add what anyone has said, the roots the most important run, fills and caps far less so, tho its amazing how some pay far more attention to the aesthetics of the weld rather than whats underneath it...

Edit just seen your only on 5mm plate, your probrbly need a 2.5 then.......

BTW a nice bit of 1/4 plate would be eiser to learn on

 

[runnach]

And when you hear a kind of hollow noise (anyone explain it better please?) this sounds is a good indicator you are penetrating through...........as for wobbly hand and rod, a wee dram sorts me oot

 

[Muggins the Mug]

Thanks folks for the input there, I've got some 6mm plate that I'm going to try out (perhaps tomorrow). I'll give a bash at different joints and see which one I screw up the least.

Regards,

Ian.

 

[Muggins the Mug]

Hi folks,

I tried a Square Groove butt joint instead on the V one, but it turned out terrible (again). This was using 5mm plate with a 2mm gap and a 2.5mm 6013 rod (80 Amps). The beads elsewhere on the plates were just me trying out my rod control with the new rod holder.

I think I need to keep practising.

Regards,

Ian.

 

[Weldingartisan]

My missus won't let me weld on the front room carpet! W/A

 

[Muggins the Mug]

My missus won't let me weld on the front room carpet! W/A

Neither will mine!

Anyways, I had another bash with the 5mm plate again today. This time using a V butt joint and a 3.25mm rod. Penetration was better and the weld looks better, although the rod did wander a little at the beginning of the weld. A "work in progress" I think.

I didn't realise that slag could appear on the underside of the joint.

Regards,

Ian.

 

[arcstick]

easy position for beginer

try a tee joint thats were they start you in a tech college firts you do a tee joint in all positions starting with flat,horizontial,vertical up,then overhead
when youve mastered those then you move on to groove welding ,and lap joints

 

[malcolm]

I'd go for T joints too. They do seem to demand a reasonable technique, and give you good feedback on what you are doing right and wrong. The butt joint offers much less feedback - it fills with weld whatever you do, but I suspect mine were all contaminated by slag due to funny rod angles.

 

[Muggins the Mug]

Got a question... When doing a T joint, how would you clamp the pieces together? It may sound daft, but I can't work it out in my head. Is this where magnetic clamps come in useful?

Regards,

Ian.

 

[irondarren]

you tack them together. quick arc burn, just enough weld to hold them in position

 

[Muggins the Mug]

Hi Darren,

I thought that, but wasn't sure. This is still somewhat of a black art to me!

Regards,

Ian.