First welds, how could I do better?

[Gmwelder]

Hi,

I finally got round to having a go with the welder for the first time. Its a Clarke 160T with Argon/co2 (Argoshield light)

Front

Back

Looks much more easier in videos and in programmes than it is in reality

Sometimes I did have a problem when doing long welds with it starting to spit and splutter, is the wire slipping? I adjusted the wire speed a little and it seemed to settle. Also the wire needing to be clipped from the shroud end every time after a weld to bring the length down to what it should be

Any tips on improving?

Also I would just like to say thanks for all the help and support on the forum and thanks to weldequip for being there when I needed questions answered and bits and bobs to get me going

Thanks

 

[martinez]

you don't say how thick the steel is or what you think is wrong with them ? try backing things off a bit. Getting the wire feed/power setting right is always half the skill, but you bought a decent welder so start using it to build things, it's the best way to learn

 

[Chickenjohn]

Looks like the power is a bit too high for the thickness of the steel, hence you have blown through at the end. Good steady beads though- maybe need to move the torch a little faster too.

Next step is to try welding two pieces of steel together.

Let us know how you get on!

 

[Gmwelder]

The thickness of the steel was 0.9mm

Thanks for the tips

 

[richweld]

The thickness of the steel was 0.9mm

And what power and wire speed settings did you use?

 

[Gmwelder]

Settings were 1 Min and between 6-7 on the wire speed

Gas is argosheild light

Thanks

 

[shenion]

Is that 0.8mm wire?

0.6mm should make it much easier to keep from blowing through.

It stuttering as it gets going could be it is getting hotter and you are at the low end of the wire speed range.

Move the torch faster to keep from blowing through.