Comments Please.

[redwine300]

Hi All,
Well, bit the bullet and decided to go for my first weld in anger. I fitted inner wheel arch so will not be visible. What does everyone think?

 

[malcolm]

The welds are far too cold and disjointed.

Looking like you are worried about blowing holes there. I'd find some scrap metal of a similar thickness and try for a continuous weld - go all the way along without lifting off the torch trigger. Doesn't matter if you blow some holes in the scrap - you can fill them with MIG.

Work down from there in heat, not up from where you are in the photos.

 

[redwine300]

Hi Malcolm,
You are right about my fear of burning through. I have tried to fill holes but have only succeeded in making things worse. Any tips would be welcome. I am desporate to achieve good welds before i undertake external panels so as to achieve a quality finish.

Regards, Redwine300

 

[malcolm]

Have you been through the tutorials? It's best to develop the technique on 1.5mm sheet starting by laying continuous welds, then by doing butt joints. Once you've got that sussed the techniques transfer well to thinner metal.

Whatever you do don't save £5 by starting on thinner stuff - you'll never get the hang of it.

For hole filling spot a bit of cold weld on one edge, then the opposite and continue until the hole is small. Then a continuous weld over the whole lot to merge it together.

 

[3Rs]

Nicely cleaned up, But the welding him no comment.

From what i can gather your using the squart (mig) your wire speed may be all right but you need to turn up the volts. by one or two. Also it would be advisable if you have one a block of copper on the back to act as a heat sink and also help pull your weld threw the metal.

 

[bawjaws]

another little tip for filling holes, i usually just make a big gap between the shroud and the workpiece (about 60mm) and pull the trigger, this forms a sort of web of wire over the hole and then just melt it all together with the torch close up again, but like malcolm says get some of the same material thickness, in the same positions and practice practice practice, if your struggling with the low settings, try the stitch welding technique like in the tutorials, just doing loads of tacks but make sure their hot enough though, youll see the weld start to flow if you know what i mean

 

[redwine300]

Thanks Again Malcolm for your input, Yes I have studdied the tutorials and they have been very usefull and have helped me no end, As you say, I will invest in some thicker material and practice some more prior to any external work. Thanks for the hole filling tip.

Hi 3Rs, Thanks for taking the time to add feedback, Much appreciated. The welder I am currently using is a Clarke te135 with 0.6 wire and argon/co2 mix 86%-14% I can get hold of copper easilly enough so I will give it a go.

Also hi to bawjaws. Thanks to you also, I will give your advise a go at the weekend and let you all know how I get on.