Smallfry
HE's Spartacus.
- Messages
- 1,193
- Location
- Kent UK
You must also be comfortable as possible, and steady. I always steady the torch with my other hand. No good at all if you are wobbling, or holding the torch at arms length.
You also need to be able to see what you are doing. Are you using an auto darkening mask ? It needs to be set so that you can see where the weld bead is running. If it is set too dark, you will not be able to see what is happening.
Fit up needs to be as good as possible on steel this thin. make the patch as exact fitting as possible, and the metal must be clean of rust and any sort of paint. Also any grease or oil or rustproofing wax will make things harder, if not impossible. It all takes time, and you MUST get yourself some steel to practice with. I have been practicing for forty five years, and sometimes it just does not go well at all.
The thicker the steel is, the easier and more forgiving it is, BUT that is not the same as making a good structural weld.
You also need to be able to see what you are doing. Are you using an auto darkening mask ? It needs to be set so that you can see where the weld bead is running. If it is set too dark, you will not be able to see what is happening.
Fit up needs to be as good as possible on steel this thin. make the patch as exact fitting as possible, and the metal must be clean of rust and any sort of paint. Also any grease or oil or rustproofing wax will make things harder, if not impossible. It all takes time, and you MUST get yourself some steel to practice with. I have been practicing for forty five years, and sometimes it just does not go well at all.
The thicker the steel is, the easier and more forgiving it is, BUT that is not the same as making a good structural weld.