Finally got a mig!!

[danbrown]

As the tital says ive finnally got myself a mig. Second hand SIP topmig 170. It was kept as a spair so is in good as new condition hardly seen any use, got a small pub CO2 bottle with it and he sorted me out with a place that will swap it for a full one for £10 whenever i run out. I need to swap the bottle and get a regulator hopefully tomorrow if i got time. I got a metal coil liner and some new tips, 0.8 5kg wire and 2 disposable bottles to havea play today. I cut up a few strips of 4mm flat bar i had spear to have a play with it today. The feed seems ok to me but time will tell to see if it has the SIP problems I read about on hear.
Im gonna get some old quarter pannels from the bodyshop tommorow so i can have a practice at thin metal welding, so, any tips and advice gratefully welcomed! Will post pics of my future practice Here is pic of the welder and one of the welds i achieved with the unit:

 

[Chickenjohn]

Great! That doesn't look too bad an effort for the first weld. For welding thin car body material, you need to read malcolms excellent "thin metal technique". This is how I weld car panel material, it is only on 1.2mm or above that you can lay a continuous bead.

Thin stuff needs the overlapping pulse technique, trying to lay a continuous bead on 0.8mm will just lead to blowing a lot of holes and causing a lot of distortion due to the heat build up.

Lots of practise, have fun!!!

 

[danbrown]

Yeh, am realy looking forward to learning, ive been after a mig for a wile now. I have ocasional use of a mig at work prior and have an ark at home. I tried to weld some thinsheet at work last week and made a mess this gave me the boost to find and buy a mig!! Just need to get a co2 reg now. Got some quarters from work and a tailgate to have a cut n practice. Deffo not waisting my money on those little bottles agen!!!

 

[danbrown]

For welding thin car body material, you need to read malcolms excellent "thin metal technique".

is this the technique in the tutorial?

 

[shenion]

is this the technique in the tutorial?

It is under the Techniques and Tips section.

 

[Chickenjohn]

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

For beginners to car bodywork, this is probably the most important tutorial on this site- although they are all excellent- read them all a few times and watch the videos.

BTW, I taught myself to weld years before this site was up and developed the thin metal technique for myself pretty much by trial and error and asking friends. However, if you ask a really good professional welder they will be able to run a bead on thin metal at various power settings, but then they have 25- 30 years experience and and very steady hand, a good aim and know just th right speed to weld at.

For most of us, the thin metal technique is the way to go.

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/flash/image-stitch-weld.jpg

 

[danbrown]

Thanks for all the replies will have a good study when i get home, ordered a reg so hopefully have that before w/end. Think i shall keep my eyes peeled for a project car now.