Does wire feed really alter amps?

[redwine300]

I think I am there or there abouts with gas flow and torch angle. Also with the help of a speedglass mask I can see what and where I am welding. Can I alter the degree of penatration and burning through by only altering the wire speed?

I have set my Clarke 135TE to the lowest setting but I am still occationally blowing through. Could it just be that the 135TE is just to powerful for 0.9mm plate?

Thanks in advance, Redwine300

 

[malcolm]

I look at the power settings on the machine as course adjustment and the wire speed as fine adjustment.

The power settings on the machine alter voltage (and by association amps as well). And the wire speed does adjust amps. But only a fairly narrow range of wire speed will work with any given voltage.

Are you using 0.6mm wire? I would have thought that ought to work on 0.9mm with the 135. 0.8mm wire would be too fierce unless you use an on-off technique. Photos of the problem welds might prompt more expert replies.

 

[R Kraft]

Slower wire feed and moving the torch away from the metal will lower the amps somewhat.
Malcom has explored the wonders of welding on thin sheet metal.
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/thin-metal.htm
Robert

 

[zardoz]

any chance of some pics ? You dont say if you are welding a butt or lap/joggle joint or whatever. Are you using the thin metal stitch or something else ? It all makes a differrence, but the clark 135TE should be able to do that ok, there are plenty on here who claim to have done so. Are you using 0.6 or 0.8 wire ?

 

[malcolm]

We're synchronised again R Kraft

I find moving the torch closer to the work can allow a slower wire speed and reduce heat. This isn't MMA welding! Handy trick for welding end on to edges of sheet, but it can knacker tips if you get too close.

 

[redwine300]

Malcom, Thanks for your comments, In answer to your question regarding wire size, I am using 0.6mm. I will post photo's soon.

R Kraft, Thanks also, I will try as you say and experiment.

Zardos, Sorry about being vague, I am seam welding but joints. As for type, I am using stitch welding and trying to graduate to continuous welding but struggling with burning through, I will post some photo's soon.

Malcom, MMA welding?? I will try all suggestions tomorrow.

Thanks Everyone!!!!!

 

[redwine300]

Early photo's. Not sure if they are of any use. I have welded over the areas where I burnt through so not a lot to see. But give's a insite as to what and where I am welding.

 

[TechnicAl]

A MIG set is a Constant Voltage machine. As it says you set the voltage and it remains constant.
The other constant is the Wire Feed Speed.

In parctice you set the WFS and tune in the voltage. The current (amps) depends on the WFS and the Stick Out (which is the tip to workpiece distance)

Reduce the Stick Out and the Current increases, it needs to melt in a shorter time.

Therfore you have a constant deposition rate (WFS) and variable penetartion (dependent on stick out).

So does the WFS alter amps, yes and so does Stick Out

 

[zardoz]

the welds look ok. If you cant get a seam weld without burning through then dont push it. there is nothing wrong with a stitch weld. If your machine cant give you a continuous run on the metal you have then just go with the flow. The good thing about a stitch weld is that it is less likely to distort.