First Efforts

[Tibby]

Hi
Another newbie here.I have been looking at the forum for a while and think it is great and really helpful.I have a Clarke 135 TE welder and have been practising on scrap for a while.Live under the car is a whole new ball game ! Hopefully I have attached some pictures of my attempts.I feel like I am baring my soul to criticism,but know that you guys are really freindly and constructive.Any guidance on how to improve my welds would be gratefully received.My best guess was that the voltage setting was too low but whern I turned it up I blew big holes.Having re-read the manual I think I turned it up two steps instead of one as one max is higher than two min,I think.I was using 1mm plate for the patches.

thanks in anticipation

 

[^neo^]

if it fills the hole and it don't fall off, it'll be fine!

 

[malcolm]

Constructive advice you say?

The repairs look like patch upon patch - it's an approach for stringing a banger through MOTs, but if the car is one you want to hold onto panel replacement should normally be more effective long term.

Looks like you've had problems maintaining a nice arc. My guess is the metal wasn't shiny clean. Also you might have the torch too far from the metal and have turned the wire speed too high to compensate - there's too much filler wire on there. 0.6mm wire is much easier for bodywork and also reduces the heat.

Don't weld in a straight line - a narrow weave will help control torch speed (see the tutorials for a video), which will help you maintain a weld pool which will help the arc.

Oh, and the Clarke manual is wrong about the order of power settings. See http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=3071

 

[lchris21]

Try using the large number of small spotweld technique. This allows more control when the panels are thin, gives good penetration, allows for easier grinding back flush if needed and helps to reduce any panel distortion.
This is a repair I did on my mini, using the very technique.
Good luck

 

[Tibby]

Thanks guys for your comments.I will try the weave and spot techniques and take on board your comments.Will let you know how I get on