First welds, help

[Triumph cub]

I’ve just purchased a Clarke EN151 done a few hours practice, and just tried some proper welds

I don’t seem to be getting good penetration, here are a few pictures: butt welded 2.5mm plate & 2mm box

Gas pub CO2 / Approx 130amps

What am I doing wrong?

 

[Angusdog]

I'd put a 1mm gap between those plates. And cut the t joint up to see how much penetration you've got. The welds look pretty good otherwise.

 

[madkayaker]

What size wire?

 

[Tman]

Hi try these setting hope they help

Gas flow 10lpm a little higher if it is breezy.

Try to keep tip to work gap at about 10mm

Set your required power on your machine

Wire speed at lowest and increase while you are welding until you get a bacon frying sizzling sound

Slower you go the more penetration you will get try looping back into the puddle by moving in a series of joined up uuuuuuuu

 

[Triumph cub]

Hi thank you for your help

The wire size is 0.8mm would 0.6 be better?

I will try tomorrow with a 1.0mm gap, I did try to leave a gap but it closed up when I tacked it up!

I have cut some to have a look at the penetration, its poor on the butt weld, but reasonable on the box tubing

I think my major problem in the gap from the tip at the moment

 

[Tman]

Dose your tip sit flush with your shroud or is it recessed. Just I find it easier if it is flush when using co2. Keep at it you will get it. Nothing special just practice

 

[Triumph cub]

Another 2 welds: long weld I pulled the weld (bottom picture), the two short ones (top) I pushed the weld

The other thing I have found is the Clarke manual states wire speed on no:6 or slower I’m now up to 8?????

 

[Tman]

Another 2 welds: long weld I pulled the weld (bottom picture), the two short ones (top) I pushed the weld

The other thing I have found is the Clarke manual states wire speed on no:6 or slower I’m now up to 8?????

They have come on quite a bit. Seen far worse done by mot centres ! Should post some pics of the other side. To get some feed back on penetration.

 

[Bristolbulldog]

That bottom one your there mate. Your rate of improvement will now slow.

Next up start playing with the pattern you make when welding.

Forward 2 back 1, the u's as a
Ready suggested, try Z as if going vertically up the page. I find it works nicer than u's for a wider bled in bead personally.

Slanted v's works sometimes. But just keep putting down beads.

 

[Triumph cub]

Is it best to ignore the manual regarding wire speed? Using 8 rather than the 6 recommended I get far better penetration and a more pleasing welding sound.

 

[Robotstar5]

Is it best to ignore the manual regarding wire speed? Using 8 rather than the 6 recommended I get far better penetration and a more pleasing welding sound.

The manual is only a guide, just fine tune it to get best results.

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

You don't need any weave or circles when welding anything of that thickness I don't use any pattern or weave until welding and thing about 8 mm and above.

 

[BrokenBiker]

i only tend to weave if im welding above the capabilities of my welder.

 

[Bristolbulldog]

My old 100en was useless below 7, and horrendous above 8 on everything. Thin thick the lot. So as many have said feel free to crank the speed a little.

The weaving etc will allow you to play with how the weld looks, and spend more time on each weld without blowing through. I personally found it very useful when learning.

 

[Triumph cub]

I’ve done an acid etch on the weld pictured above

The weld on the left is the pull & the right is the push

I seem to be getting better penetration with the push technique

 

[BrokenBiker]

i prefer to push with mig. Never tested the difference though

 

[Triumph cub]

Done a bit more practice

Give up on pub gas, now using argon / co2

Some samples on 2.5mm box

 

[BrokenBiker]

what are you using to etch with? nice clear results.

pushing is generally used with mig for the penetration but pulling has its place

 

[Bill Edwards]

Not too bad.

Push every time!
Only pull on very thick plate - many times what your welder is capable of!

 

[Liquid Metal]

Dont get into the habit of weaving when mig welding.

It does not offer any benefit at all. All it does is pump heat into the weld, which will give you all sorts of problems, one of which is distortion, another is porosity. If you are trying to run a weld which is beyond the capabilities of your machine, then dont weave it, multipass it.