gas pressure

[alexweld]

im very new to welding, i have a sips migmate 130, and im welding thin metal 0.8mm /1.0mm , i got a X bottle of argonshield from BOC and have a pressure gauge on top to control it, i noticed that most people on here refer to vol/min as opposed to psi, how much psi should i use outside on a "calm" day ?

thanks .......alexweld

 

[shenion]

On my Clarke, 10LPM = 25PSI

I normally use 6-12 LPM.

 

[alexweld]

Thanks for the quick reply, is it bad , in any way , to use to much gas pressure ?

 

[shenion]

Too much will tend to cool the weld pool a bit more. If your welds are a bit tall, then reduce the pressure a bit.

A buddy of mine uses 30psi on his all the time.

 

[alexweld]

thanks again, im learning so much in this forum, my next task is to weld under the sill ,(upside down) i think i will need to practice a bit first..

 

[Wayne.]

Too much will tend to cool the weld pool a bit more. If your welds are a bit tall, then reduce the pressure a bit.

A buddy of mine uses 30psi on his all the time.

30psi is he spraying the weld on lol

 

[Rusty]

Too much will tend to cool the weld pool a bit more. If your welds are a bit tall, then reduce the pressure a bit.

A buddy of mine uses 30psi on his all the time.

Bit of Argoshield cutting goin on there init LOL !

 

[alexweld]

lol, ive found i can get a decent weld (indoors only) at about 1/1.5 bar, which is 15/22 psi ? should i be lower for indoors ? am i just using up my gas ? when ever i try the same outside my welding goes to pot...even in the slightest breeze !

 

[Rusty]

lol, ive found i can get a decent weld (indoors only) at about 1/1.5 bar, which is 15/22 psi ? should i be lower for indoors ? am i just using up my gas ? when ever i try the same outside my welding goes to pot...even in the slightest breeze !

Treat yourself to a flow meter ( weldequip ) it'll give you accurate gas supply to your torch in litres per minute you can then gradually cut back on the gas until you see the quality of the weld suffering.

 

[shenion]

A flow meter is the best option.

Mine works as the Clarke gauge is calibrated to the torch used. 25psi-=10LPM.

If you bought the regulator separately, then a flowmeter is a good idea unless you know flow/psi relation for your setup. I don't think there is any restriction in the torch, could be 25psi=10LPM when using the 4mm tube.

The only reason I know the PSI is I had to set mine to 60PSI to use the gas mixer and the gauge was in L/Min.

They show up on ebay, usually only with a full regulator though.

 

[alexweld]

Thanks again for the help, Is there anything i should consider when trying to weld under the sill, ie upside down ?

 

[shenion]

Thanks again for the help, Is there anything i should consider when trying to weld under the sill, ie upside down ?

Usually you need to increase the wire speed a bit.

And be careful, the cheap masks are not rated for overhead welding. You need to stay off to the side.

My first overhead was welding a 2" angle iron under my trailer to add more support to the floor. Worked, but looked bad with dripping globs of steel. If I had increased the wire speed, it probably would have worked better

 

[andyF]

As shenion says keep to the side, Also, I found, Jack up the car as high as poss. To give you as much movement as poss, especially with the mask. It also give you plent of room when some red hot piece of splatter or similar drops on you and you freak out under the car cos it's so friggin hot! Also don't forget I think the sill is structural so make sure you get a good weld so it won't get picked up in the MOT.

 

[alexweld]

Thanks guys, i will try to post some pics when im doing it...