First test piece

[stewart.d.campbell]

Hi guys thought i would post some pics of my first attempts to maybe get some feedback.At the moment i am using 0.9mm fluxed wire(not sorted out getting gas yet) on 1.2mm steel, going by the second two photos the top weld and bottom two are butt welds done as stitches as best i could.I found it very hard not to blow holes when butt welding even on the lowest setting and the large hole is where i turned the settings up a fair bit just to experiment and the results speak for themselves lol, cheers guys.

 

[Tino]

Hi, that is not to bad for a first go. I think the problems you are having are mostly down to the wire, flux wire runs quite hot and is a bit big for thin material. 0.6mm wire and gas will be easier. Try some thicker material it will be easier to develop your technique with out being worried about blowing holes all the time.

 

[stewart.d.campbell]

Got gas and 0.6 wire instaled now and what a difference, i found that 1.2mm steel no longer seems like its going to blow through with the torch traveling at less than 100 miles an hour lol.I found i could take my time and move the torch from side to side like we were taught on a short arch welding course i did years ago resulting in neater welds, going to try some joins tommorrow cant be bothered cutting up any metal to weld back together tonight.