Getting better for sure. what's peoples thoughts?

[belsh]

Getting much better penetration, any comments welcome.
Top and bottom pics attached

 

[frank horton]

mig /tig is a black art....just keep trying......
remember a skilled worker can make a crap tool /machine look good.....it just takes time/years...
I say, I cant teach u in five mins what has taken me 50 years to learn...
good example find/watch an old Blacksmith...
when I teach the odd personto weld, I use say 2/3mm thick steel first then try thinner....
I think u get a better feel at first esp not blowing holes in the stuff...stuff..

 

[LewisT]

Looking not bad, already surpassed the quality of most mot centres.

 

[Robert Weaver]

Given it's in the mig section, I presume it's mig - are you intentionally doing spots separated by a gap, or is the wire speed incredibly slow and you're travelling constantly?
Let us know what you're trying to achieve. Welded on both sides?

 

[Mark 2]

I too, am not clear on what I'm looking at here.

 

[belsh]

Sorry I should've been far more clear, not used to forums, I'm as new to them as I am to welding!!

Yes It is mig welding and I am welding new floor panels into my old american truck. I was under the impression I had to spot weld due to the thickness of the steel. I am spot welding at different points a couple of inches apart to keep the heat down and then returning until I eventually join up all the dots as it were. I'm wondering if maybe when I return to a spot my next one needs to be a bit closer as I don't seem to have full coverage on the underside? Im also assuming I should be seeing a weld pool on the underside to show good penetration?

Thanks for any advice that can be offered

 

[Bobupndown]

I'd definitely bring them a bit closer so that you're not leaving any gaps. Once those are cleaned up with a flap disc or power file they will look pretty good, or are you just leaving them like that if they are hidden?

 

[Wozzaaah]

You should not be leaving gaps between the tacks, they need to be overlapped slightly.
Tack - allow to cool slightly - next tack overlapping - etc.
Your aim also needs work, the tacks are all over the place, not central on the joint.
If you're struggling to see, put a sacrificial head torch on your mask.

 

[Mark 2]

So you have welded both sides?

 

[belsh]

Ok I'll get them closer together for sure, males sense!
Theyll be ground down a bit inside the truck bit just to take the worst off as theyll be covered with sound mat and carpet. Eventually I will ground the underside down to flat so it can be painted.
I have only welded the topside, I assumed that to be the correct procedure? Please tell me if I'm wrong (again haha)

 

[Robert Weaver]

Your approach is correct. Depending on material thickness, you could lay short beads rather than spots, but still overlap and leave no gaps. The final result should be continuous.
It looks like you've welded both sides, like the spots have sagged while molten. Too hot and too much metal; have a play with wfs, power (volts) and duration.

 

[belsh]

Your approach is correct. Depending on material thickness, you could lay short beads rather than spots, but still overlap and leave no gaps. The final result should be continuous.
It looks like you've welded both sides, like the spots have sagged while molten. Too hot and too much metal; have a play with wfs, power (volts) and duration.

Ah ok thanks, so I dont want the spots on the bottom? I thought that showed the penetration required, what should the bottom look like please?

Thanks for the help

 

[Mark 2]

Just to clarify, the upper most picture is of the underside?
So, the penetration is fine, just keep the Tacks closer together.

 

[Erie Fred]

What flavor of "Old American Truck" ?

 

[Craig-SM]

Try doing a series of 4 to 5 spots. After each spot adjust slightly so the wire is going to connect at the edge of the last spot weld. When you’ve done your series of spot welds move to another part i.e. opposite so the metal has time to cool down.
You will find slow and sure actually speeds up the weld as you don’t have to go back over it or grind away as much after.

 

[addjunkie]

Try doing a series of 4 to 5 spots. After each spot adjust slightly so the wire is going to connect at the edge of the last spot weld. When you’ve done your series of spot welds move to another part i.e. opposite so the metal has time to cool down.
You will find slow and sure actually speeds up the weld as you don’t have to go back over it or grind away as much after.

Id agree but also looks like you need to get your head in closer or wear glasses under the mask so you can see actually what's happening in the weld!

 

[Craig-SM]

Id agree but also looks like you need to get your head in closer or wear glasses under the mask so you can see actually what's happening in the weld!

That’s me to a T. I’ve now got a +3 cheater lens in the helmet and still have my head close. Don’t you just love getting older

 

[Robert Weaver]

Ah ok thanks, so I dont want the spots on the bottom? I thought that showed the penetration required, what should the bottom look like please?

Thanks for the help

What thickness are you welding? And what mig machine, and settings

https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/thin-metal.htm

 

[addjunkie]

That’s me to a T. I’ve now got a +3 cheater lens in the helmet and still have my head close. Don’t you just love getting older

It has some good aspects, but some down sides too!

 

[Smallfry]

Have you tried practicing on some thicker stuff, 2, to 3mm ? Easier to see whats happening, and how the weld pool goes, just before it blows through.