First Try

[dave5463]

Hey just had my first go with my new welder so thought I would put up some pics of my first attempts and see what advice you guys could give me. The better looking one on the left actually came before the one on the right I think it may of been because I went straight into welding that one before cleaning up after the first one guess I just got a little excited .

Cheers
Dave

 

[backpurge]

The one on the left is fine the one on the right looks as if the plate has got too hot, did you allow it to cool down a bit before starting the second run

 

[dave5463]

Ahhh that may well be the problem I got a bit excited cause the first one looked good that I just cracked on with the second I didn't know that it would need to cool down between welds. I am going to have a go at a pad tonight so there will be more pictures to follow soon. Cheers

Dave

 

[dave5463]

Here are the pics of my first go at a pad they look alright to me but thought I would let the more experienced cast there eye on them so I can see where I can improve. Cheers

Dave

 

[malcolm]

I've been exactly there. Keep that arc gap tight! People will say the arc gap should be such and such, but it's a moot point as you can't really see what the gap is while welding because of all the flux in the way (and the electrode is recessed into the flux covering on the rod).

There's a video here that shows the effect of different arc gaps: http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/learning-arc.htm Don't be afraid to bury the rod in the flux. Try it for the sake of practice and move the rod in and out to see the difference - you can compare the sound with the video. I find I have to push the rod in more than feels sensible to compensate for it getting shorter all the time.

 

[dave5463]

Cheers will try that tomorrow, unfortunately don't currently have a workshop so welding on the patio and its getting a bit dark lol

 

[PTvor]

That piece of steel looks a bit small for serious practice. Try the local fabricators for some offcuts, or the scrapyards.

Try to get some clamps, the mole wrench welding clamps are quite cheap and maybe more convenient than laying everything on the patio. Screwfix were doing them for a tenner for three. Look out for a chipping hammer and a wire brush as well, they're not much. Those little hammer/brush thingies they include with welders get you started but they're not very good and don't last long.

I'm finding it's a bit cold for welding, unless it's repairing brass monkeys. It must be seriously chilly in Aberdeen.

 

[dave5463]

Cool will have a look for some of those. I'm currently living down near Bournemouth but originally from Aberdeen and hopefully returning there in the next year or so.

Cheers
Dave

 

[Welderpaul]

Looks like theres too much heat in the last weld (and maybe rod too far away from the workpiece). As you keep laying beads the plate is getting hotter and hotter. Sometimes better to back the amps down slightly to compensate.
Let the crater at the end of the bead fill slightly before stopping the weld.

Your also cheating...keep laying welds next to each other working across the plate...not left, right, then fill the gaps in. Good practice for multi-pass stringers.

Looks good.