Gas Flow...

[whycanismellburning]

Hey Guys i have started using my new clarke 160 and things are going o.k.. however i cannot seem to get enough gas flow when i'm welding outside. I have turned the regulator up to full belt but i'm still getting the sheilding gas blown away. I tried using screens but i still had a problem. any thoughts? The pipeing is the standard stuff that came with the welder and the valve is in the torch...

 

[rusty69bus]

create a wind break around your working area tarpullin,carboard,masking tape what ever works

 

[whycanismellburning]

I did try with some solid screens but the wind was coming under the car (see thread 'welding on bulkhead') havent tried a tarp? does that work or does it just make loads of noise and still leave the wind at it?

 

[fingers99]

Anything that keeps the wind out will help (really is a matter of suck it and see) but I used to give up in anything more than a very gentle breeze without something to keep the wind off.

Now I have a garage!

 

[whycanismellburning]

I find myself working out in fields and all sorts so sometimes needs must!:d

 

[fingers99]

Out in the fields a tarp (and a few bricks) is probably your best bet. I did see a portable gazeebo thing on one of the shopping channels that would do the job even better, but can't remember how much they were going for.

 

[whycanismellburning]

Will give the tarp a go first i think!

 

[Gas mark 5]

I assume that you are using a big gas bottle, not a disposable one. I find that it is almost impossible to weld outside with the disposables no matter how calm...

 

[warp speed]

Howabout a little portable MMA inverter? I have a little cemont, it cost under £200, I think. It's not good enough to Tig with but it's fine for the mma. Of course the wind isnt' a problem, no gas supply needed, no spools, weighs under 10kg fully boxed (thereabouts).

Heavy rain still ought to be avoided...

If you're doing a lot outside it might be worthwhile rather than feeling like superman with your cape (tarp) flapping all around! (not to mention your underpants on the outside)


________
warp factor 9.5!
www.daviddudgeonstudios.com

 

[whycanismellburning]

Howabout a little portable MMA inverter? I have a little cemont, it cost under £200, I think. It's not good enough to Tig with but it's fine for the mma. Of course the wind isnt' a problem, no gas supply needed, no spools, weighs under 10kg fully boxed (thereabouts).

Heavy rain still ought to be avoided...

If you're doing a lot outside it might be worthwhile rather than feeling like superman with your cape (tarp) flapping all around! (not to mention your underpants on the outside)


________
warp factor 9.5!
www.daviddudgeonstudios.com

I suppose its to do with the amount of time and money i have available. I've no idea about mma..... is it like arc welding then or am i being very daft. My experance extends to Mig and Arc but no further. I admit that i'm very interested to learn more but i have a major issue with time at the moment (or lack of it!)

I think having just brought a new mig and other bits and pieces i might have a problem convincing SWMBO in letting me buy annother load of kit

Oh almost forgot: i wear my pants on the outside all the time...

 

[bric-a-brac]

Ok bud
MMA = manual metal arc-stick welding ok


regards Steve

 

[bric-a-brac]

no gas

PS
Have a go with flux cored

regards Steve

 

[whycanismellburning]

Ok bud
MMA = manual metal arc-stick welding ok


regards Steve

Would that be the same as using an oxford welder then?

 

[bric-a-brac]

yes

 

[whycanismellburning]

O.k I feel very Daft now and i'm going to hide in a corner!

How come an oxford welder weighs so much and the mma things weigh nothing?

 

[bric-a-brac]

Bin in a corner most of my life

Like this one how many thou in an inch
Oxford full of oil.Inverter full of electronics.
Steve

 

[Wozzaaah]

Oxfords are filled with oil Pete, it cools the transformer.
MMA is the process, like bric-a-brac said, it's the same as arc/stick/SMAW (shielded metal arc welding).
Your common or garden AC arc welder (AKA 'buzz-box') is basically just a transformer in a box with a few other bits and pieces hence most of the weight is from the transformer.
Inverter machines don't use a transformer as such, they work by using electronics, papier mache and a sprinkling of fairy dust.

 

[whycanismellburning]

Oxfords are filled with oil Pete, it cools the transformer.
MMA is the process, like bric-a-brac said, it's the same as arc/stick/SMAW (shielded metal arc welding).
Your common or garden AC arc welder (AKA 'buzz-box') is basically just a transformer in a box with a few other bits and pieces hence most of the weight is from the transformer.
Inverter machines don't use a transformer as such, they work by using electronics, papier mache and a sprinkling of fairy dust.

So.....

At the moment when i have really heavy duty welding that needs doing i lug the oxford around on a forklift. Would i be able to do the same jobs with the mma and still get the good results or do i just stick with the oxford?

 

[Wozzaaah]

Pete, if you're doing a lot of onsite stuff get yourself a nice quality DC inverter, they weigh next-to-nothing and a lot of them have a shoulder strap. If you're doing really heavy stuff then you may still need the oxford but for most stuff an inverter will be perfect. We had some machines repaired at work a while back and the contractors had a tiny little inverter (can't remember for definite but it may have been a Lincoln Invertec) and did some huge multipass runs with it.

Oh and again, MMA is the process - Manual Metal Arc, not the machine itself, a DC inverter is MMA, an AC 'buzz-box' is MMA, my Miller dialarc is ac/dc tig and MMA and your Oxford is MMA .

 

[whycanismellburning]

Can you recommend one for me?