First welds, your comments welcome

[Killick Greenie]

Hi Folks

Here's some pictures of my first attempt at welding

I was using a Parweld XTM 171C and Argoshield Light, the material is was 25 x 25 box section with 2mm thickness. I've included pictures of the setting s I used on the welder at the end when I thought it sounded and looked about right.

At first is was really difficult and I notice that the dial for the wire speed went through 360 degrees, when I had a look it wasn't actually screwed on to the shaft of the pot, nil points to Pareweld's quality control.
The wire feed was all over the place and in the end I took the rollers off and the rollers were covered in oil or grease nil points to Parweld.

Anyway enough moaning here's the pictures, cut me some slack and thanks.

 

[shenion]

They look good assuming the messy ones are with the wire feed screwed up

The last few picts seem consistent showing good torch control and the setting near perfect.

Check the inside of the box to see if you are getting full penetration. I prefer to keep the penetration to just where it shows through. ANy more and you easily blow through.

Try more fillets and butt joints. Laying beads in the middle only get you so far (and you already seemed to have gotten there )

 

[Killick Greenie]

Thanks Scott, I appreciate the feedback. I think once the wire feed was sorted out I started to hear the sizzling bacon noise so assumed I was in the ball park. If I am getting blow through does that mean I have to reduce the volts?
thanks
Kg

 

[shenion]

Decreasing the volts or wire speed will reduce the penetration. But that may make the welds taller. You can increase you torch speed a bit.

As I got better, I find I am upping the voltage/current (wire speed) and moving faster. Easier to do a straight bead; I find the slower I go, the more I wander or go too slow.

 

[Killick Greenie]

Decreasing the volts or wire speed will reduce the penetration. But that may make the welds taller. You can increase you torch speed a bit.

As I got better, I find I am upping the voltage/current (wire speed) and moving faster. Easier to do a straight bead; I find the slower I go, the more I wander or go too slow.

Brilliant, thanks. I've had another go today and apart from what I think is a leaking gauge it all seemed to go ok. I did get a blow through a couple of times, but practice makes perfect and all that. I just hope I don't cause a steel shortage with all the scrap I'm producing.