Help needed

[BAZ-MIG]

Hello right I bought this clarke 130, to do odd jobs on the cars, I got given some steel wire (0.9mm fluxcore) will this be ok to use on the panels if so what sort of settings do I need to use, I have tried to use the welder but I'm useless can't get it going also I have tried 0.6 copper wire and co2/argon and still not having luck, I basically for example get a bolt and sand the paint of the wing I then place the bolt on a sanded part and alms my touch between the gap and press the trigger but once it's done I can literally just push the bolt off the wing or if I'm lucky kick it off and it don't seem to get stuck, what can I be doing wrong,
This happens with both the 0.9 fluxcore and the 0.6 copper wire I use with co2/argon, all help appreciated, il try posting the front of a clarke 130 so you guys knows what setting I have to play about with I do want to use the steel fluxcore as my gas is nearly gone but I'm just practicing I can even weld a bolt to a wing so just want to get to that stage, all help appreciated

 

[BAZ-MIG]

 

[BAZ-MIG]

That a picture I found on the net but mine is exactly the same

 

[slim_boy_fat]

By the sound of it, you're trying to weld 'thick' [the bolt] to 'thin' [the wing]. The bolt might even be beyond the machine's capabilities in terms of thickness, depending on size. Not enough penetration [Oooh, errr, Missus ]

 

[cumbriasteve]

Gasless is difficult to use on car bodywork, not impossible but certainly not easy and as a rule you would have the machine on it's lowest power setting.

When welding thick to thin you have to keep the majority of the heat (weld pool) on the thick and gently feed enough onto the thin without blowing holes through.

I would suggest getting some 2mm or 3mm sheet to practice basic runs on, especially with the fluxcore wire, it allows you to get the feel of the weld and the power settings without worrying too much about blowing through.

If you can it's best to get some gas, it's easier, cleaner and you can see the weld progress much clearer, not the disposable bottles, they are too expensive and too short lived except for an occasional small project.

 

[Kent]

as you say you have gone the co2 route, it cant be the gasless wire. I don't think your getting the bolt /nut? hot enough and I think you will need a lot more power depending on its size because welds start cold. You set might even be too low a capacity?
direct the heat at the heavy section and just catch the thin, is it possible to pre heat the heavy bit in position to remove its "heat sink properties" ? This is one of the harder welding tasks to learn but easy when you know how.

If the bolt is coated / galvanised grind it clean or you will contaminate the weld pool anyway with zinc

 

[Richard.]

Are you getting an arc at all? When you press the trigger or is it literally pushing the bolt off. Have you cleaned back the coating off the bolt also. (Will help).
You ideally need to clamp the bolt flat to the thin plate.
Don't aim your wire in the gap between the two surfaces, aim it directly on the bolt and turn up that power. When welding thick to thin you need to concentrate on setting the machine up for the thick and weld on the thick but let it wet onto the thin if that makes sense.

 

[BAZ-MIG]

Thanks for all the advice guys, I was directing my pool between the gap I the bolt and car wing, so I can see some problem there, some one said to me my 0.9mm fluxcore wire is to thick to be used on my welder (clarke 130) is this true or is he telling porkies, also I had the copper 0.6mm with co2 argon still having problems I got myself a pea-shooter to and have the gas flowing at 10L/min, is this right, I got a few old wings to practice on so I will try cutting pieces of wings and weldin it on to another, all tip appriciated thanks again for all the help guys, first time welder, I'm keen and want to weld but trying to get it going is fustrating lol making me walk away after making a few tries and errors

 

[BAZ-MIG]

The bolt gets stuck to the wing but the welds are so weak I can pull it off the wing again or if I'm lucky it can be kicked off, the welds dont seem to hold it strong enough to the wing

 

[BAZ-MIG]

Also guys if I'm welding a plate (same as the thickness of the wing itself do I still focus the weld on to the top plate and allow it to wet down to the wing or is it welding the gap just want to know as the plate and wing will be same thickness, but if I was to cut out a piece of the wing then weld it back in again I will have to do a butt joint to seam it up, sorry if my explanations may not be good lol

 

[Richard.]

Also guys if I'm welding a plate (same as the thickness of the wing itself do I still focus the weld on to the top plate and allow it to wet down to the wing or is it welding the gap just want to know as the plate and wing will be same thickness, but if I was to cut out a piece of the wing then weld it back in again I will have to do a butt joint to seam it up, sorry if my explanations may not be good lol

You should set your welder to the thickest section and if it's too hot for the thinner section then you should be welding on the thicker section and wetting on to the thinner section. If your two peaces are similar thickness and both peaces can cope with the heat then blast away between them both

 

[Jim Davey]

Did you set the polarity correctly for the two different types of wire?
Gasless likes to run with the torch negative while the solid wire gas shielded likes to run torch negative polarity.

 

[BAZ-MIG]

Yep I did change the polarity when changing
Wires,
Will the 0.9mm fluxcore wire be ok for my clarke 130en turbo ?

 

[Jim Davey]

Yes.

 

[Richard.]

Did you set the polarity correctly for the two different types of wire?
Gasless likes to run with the torch negative while the solid wire gas shielded likes to run torch negative polarity.

Positive for solid Jim. I detect a typo mate.

 

[BAZ-MIG]

Thanks mate I'm going to use the fluxcore 0.9mm just to practice I do have a pub bottle co2/argon but I don't think it lasting long with 0.6mm copper, what sort of setting will be best with the 0.9mm fluxcore on the clarke 130en turbo

 

[Richard.]

Use the gas with a 0.8 wire mate. The results will be much nicer than the flux core gasless. Your welding will look a load better and you will enjoy it more.

 

[Jim Davey]

Positive for solid Jim. I detect a typo mate.

Whoops, don't listen to me! I know nuffink lol