Here's my first ever go

[Heliart]

My lovely wife brought me a Portamig 215 for Christmas.
Just had a go today on some 2.5mm steel sheet - I'm planning to use the welder for patching the chassis on my old Series landrover.

I did do a tiny bit of stick welding back at college, but this is a different thing altogether.

This was all done outside (thought I would practice in the environemnt where I plan to do the actual chassis work).

I'm looking for a couple of small projects to start on first - I want to have a go a fabrication, and welding together the parts (such as the mounting points on the chassis I'm working on etc).

I'm happy with the first go - and comments very welcome.

Cheers,

Steve

 

[madkayaker]

Problem with Landy welding is getting back to clean metal. Those look ok welds to me.

 

[normspanners]

No, the problem with old landy welding is finding the METAL to clean

It normally can be found in heap behind that soft skin that forms a chassis and its technical name is schultz

but as above the welds look ok
and will only get better with practice which you will get plenty---------- like the forth bridge when you get to front end its time to start at the rear again !

 

[madkayaker]

That's why I got a nice new galvanised one after finding big holes in mine and old bodgers

 

[Heliart]

I am where I am today becuase I had some welding done at a local place about 6 months ago. Yea, it's to MOT standard as their MOT guy said he would pass it after it was done, and I knew no better at the time.

But, the more I get into it, the welding job was just enough to get it passed the MOT, and not done to the standard I would have wanted today.
Mainly, it was the fabrication of the hanging / fixing brackets, and the poor weld beads (full of gaps an holes).

So, my plan is to cut off the poorly fabricated parts, make them again from new, and weld up to my standard.

Cheers,

Steve

 

[madkayaker]

Not standard and welding should never go together!

 

[gavuk]

where in wilts are you steve?...Pm if you rather not post on an open forum....and welcome aboard

 

[Heliart]

where in wilts are you steve?...Pm if you rather not post on an open forum....and welcome aboard

Swindon....

 

[Wozzaaah]

Swindon....

Ahh, seven-toe town!


Welds look good Steve though a bit too much weaving going on.
There's no need to weave on thin stuff like that, it only makes it easier to blow through and wastes wire, gas and time.

 

[gavuk]

You are still about 30 miles away then .
I'm a little way out of calne ,If you do need any help,but I work every other w/e...

No experience with LR ,but i do have a transit

 

[normspanners]

That's why I got a nice new galvanised one

SHOW OFF !!
You will lose all ya welding skills if ya not practiseing !!!!

 

[madkayaker]

It's ok I've got a 2cv

 

[normspanners]

YOU MAD or WOT?????? hope you wear a Crashhat as well as a weld bucket or are they alternating

 

[Heliart]

Ahh, seven-toe town!


Welds look good Steve though a bit too much weaving going on.
There's no need to weave on thin stuff like that, it only makes it easier to blow through and wastes wire, gas and time.

Too much weaving? Does that mean I need a little weave, or none at all on 2.5mm steel?

Cheers.

 

[Wallace]

You can't go wrong in life if with a Portamig 215 as a first welder AND your wife buying it for you! (Insert smilie for lucky git here!) Just keep running beads and practicing different joints and post the results as if those are your first attempts you are half way there already.

Mike

 

[steve.h]

Hi Steve, I am in Wanborough, I also have a Portamig 215, I have had it a while, but it only gets used now and then but its a brilliant machine, my first welder, bought it as I just wanted to learn to weld, I have now got into Blacksmithing, I really enjoy it, but im guessing the neighbours arnt so keen.
You are going to get the use out of yours with a landy thats for sure, you will be skilled enough to weld for a living in no time....