Help mig welding nightmares... Clarke 150TE

[Rimexboy]

Morning all this is my first post ive been looking a round a lot on here now,

I've treated my self to the Clarke mug welder 150TE,

I'm looking at doing some repairs to an old vw caddy I have..

My welding is not good at all, I'm very happy with the welder I have but am having a lot of problems setting up, I've looked at the videos on this site and done a fair bit of reading, but I must still be doing a lot wrong...

Here is my welder with gas on number 6 power on low and wire speed at 4

This is what I done on some spare steel I have...

I think my wire speed may be to high I did read about 2.6 speed, also I think I need to be pulsing ???

I really do not have a clue and am just guessing,

Thanks simon

 

[Wozzaaah]

Welcome to the forum.
Looking at most of those welds you have way too little gas coverage.
If you're using disposables then turn the regulator right up to maximum.
Are you welding indoors or out?
It also looks like your travel speed is a bit fast which has resulted in straggly, inconsistent width beads.

 

[Rimexboy]

Gas right up on 6 little disposable bottles and inside in a garage...

My speed does seam very quick when welding as well so I take it I need the wire speed down then ??

Thanks Simon

 

[Wozzaaah]

If the reg is fully open (ignoring the numbers) then there's something wrong as those welds are definitely lacking gas coverage. Is there a good hiss from the nozzle when you press the trigger?
Those disposables only last about 10 mins so you'll soon get through one while practicing.
To set your wire speed, put the control knob at 4, start welding then slowly turn the knob clockwise until you feel the torch being pushed away from the workpiece then back the knob off until it just stabilises.
Sort the lack of gas out first though, no amount of fettling will work if you don't have the correct coverage.

 

[Rimexboy]

Hi
Yes can hear the his of gas coming out the end when trigger squeezed in a bit....

Thanks Simon

 

[Wozzaaah]

Will the reg go past number 6 or is that maxed out?

 

[Rimexboy]

Not sure I will confirm when I get in tonight.

Thanks Simon

 

[Rimexboy]

Ok popped down the shed the gas is right open, all the way round it goes past 6 over to number 1.5

Done a few trials

From left to right... All with gas right up and power setting on low..

Left wire speed 2.6 and pulsing.
Middle wire speed 3.7 pulsing
Far right wire speed 4 constant welding

Any suggestions please

Thanks Simon

 

[Rimexboy]

Ah ha just checked my gas and I'm using this

So I had a bottle someone gave me this

Unfortunately that was empty so I could not try that...

Should I be using the argon one??

Thanks Simon

 

[mike 109444]

Bottom part of rh side (wire speed 4) is pritty much there Now it's down to fine tuning around that 4 mark and your own tourch movement speed. Note down the setting that get a nice "constant" weld without pulsing. Then you will have to do same for next power setting up from low and note down the setting. You might find from there when you go up more on power you will blow through so will need to use some thicker metal. Each time note down the setting that works. You are getting there!!

 

[mike 109444]

The Argon/CO2 mix will give you a flatter weld but you may find you have to go through the settings again! It should not be much different on the settings (slight tewwk on wire feed?) But mage sure you note down ie a list for CO2 and a list for ArCO2. Adventually you will not need this as you will get the nack of looking at a weld to see what needs adjusting. If it is mainly car stuff you will find setting is just left alone (untill you nock the knob round!

 

[Rimexboy]

ah thats a releaf lol im not sure how or if i can do it again lol...

would it be better if i used a argon mix gas or just co2... ...

whats the diffrence..

thanks simon

 

[Rimexboy]

sorry posted near same time lol

im just doing an old vw caddy thats it....

i think i will be better of getting a larger gas supply how and what would i need to do this, i take it i will need a larger regulator, and do i need to register with some one for gas???

as you can tell ive no ideas

thanks simon

 

[Cobbler]

Hi Simon, you will need a proper regulator, available from Weldequip, then look at rent free cylinders from Hobbyweld, Southwest Gas or Adams gas. The bottles about £50 deposit I think plus about £35 for a fill, depending if you go for co2 or argon mix. The threads are different on the bottles, male thread for co2, female for argon, so you need to decide which before buying a reg. At one time you could get an adaptor for an argon reg to use on co2, but I don't know if this is still available, saves possibly needing another reg at some time though. I hope this helps you.

Cobbler

 

[Rimexboy]

Ah that's great cobbler many thanks for that,

I think I'm going to get hold of a argon/co2 mix small bottle just to try and see how I get on with it first...
Machine mart on the way home I hope lol

Thanks Simon

 

[Rimexboy]

Well I did not make it so will have to try tomorrow or something.......

 

[Rimexboy]

just been researching for a better gas supply and a regulator and found this

http://barnet-welding.com/Argoweld_5_10L_Including_Cylinder_Deposit

http://barnet-welding.com/AK9_Adaptor

is this all I will need or will I need a new regulator to???

thanks simon

 

[mike 109444]

You MAY need the reg as well
http://barnet-welding.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=35
Reason I say MAY is that the reg pictured has the Argon / Argon-CO2 type fitting (mail thread on reg. Check with them first that it will fit there bottle!
Check also weather the bottle deposit is refundable and for what amount of time it is valid.
Just to add to your confusion if you went the CO2 route you may find a local beer and wine cellar supplies place that supply the pubs ect. I got CO2 and cylinder for aprox £45 and the refills are £20. You get a LOT more gas in the CO2 cylinders than Ar-CO2 as CO2 under pressure is a liquid and is filled by weight. Ar-CO2 is still a gas when put into cylinder so it's down to how much pressure the cylinder is filled to as to how much gas you get for same size cylinder. If you do get one of the disposable Ar-CO2 cans then just compaire it's weight to a CO2 one if they have both on the shelf. You may think the Ar-CO2 is empty when compaired to the CO2!!

 

[Rimexboy]

Nice one mike, I will try a small one first then go for a large one...

Thanks again simon

 

[invicta]

Looking at your location, you may want to try CO2 from Waltham Abbey Beers ltd. Not quite as good as the Argon mix but will certainly get you there. That size is ideal for your project and a lot cheaper.
Tel: 01992 766624
You will need a suitable regulator for CO2 and the adapter hose.