Hi there, the name's Gaz
I've just started stick/arc welding and I am on a very tight budget!
I just bought a Clarke MMA/TIG 120amp machine from Machine Mart (about as cheap as they come!):
....and I've been practising every day for several days now.
(I have also binned the laughable, hand-held shield that is supplied with the machine, in favour of a much better auto-darkening one....and some gloves too):
I think I'm getting a feel for it, and having read through a lot of advice both here and elsewhere on the internet, I'm beginning to get an understanding of just how tricky it really is!
(What with watching the weld puddle, electrode angle, drag speed and of course arc length)
The project I'm working towards, is to build a pair of stout caravan jacking brackets.
They will be made from 4mm thick mild steel, welded from pieces accurately cut out from a plate that has just been delivered today.
These pieces are to be filet welded on both sides for strength, and hopefully to counter any warping that is inevitably going to happen!!
At the moment, for practice, I have an 8mm thick plate, which I've been running beads for a few days:
....the lower welds (4 or 5) are yesterday, and the upper ones I've just done an hour ago.
Any advice would be most welcome....specifically the amount of BBs/spatter I seem to be getting?
Is this normal?
Am I running too hot....too close....too slow?
(Though todays welds seem to be better - I think it was arc length - I shortened it as much as I dared)
I am using 2.5mm 6013 rods (again from Machine Mart), and the machine is set to 80 amps.
(After a little practice, this seems to be the 'sweet-spot')
I'm 'burying' the electrode as close to the puddle as I can without sticking, and it seems to have decent penetration, but I get a LOT of spatter!
Also, is there a way to avoid the 'crater' at the end of the weld - I'm running left to right?
I have been lifting straight up at the end of the weld.
Do I linger for a second or so, and also is it not recommended to 'whip' the end towards the weld?
I've tried both of these, but it doesn't seem to make much of a difference....though I'm sure I'm getting something wrong!!
I'd love some help or advice from all you experts, and sorry if I've rambled on a bit....I think that I have been bitten by the welding bug....it's truly fascinating!!
Cheers
Gaz
I've just started stick/arc welding and I am on a very tight budget!
I just bought a Clarke MMA/TIG 120amp machine from Machine Mart (about as cheap as they come!):
....and I've been practising every day for several days now.
(I have also binned the laughable, hand-held shield that is supplied with the machine, in favour of a much better auto-darkening one....and some gloves too):
I think I'm getting a feel for it, and having read through a lot of advice both here and elsewhere on the internet, I'm beginning to get an understanding of just how tricky it really is!
(What with watching the weld puddle, electrode angle, drag speed and of course arc length)
The project I'm working towards, is to build a pair of stout caravan jacking brackets.
They will be made from 4mm thick mild steel, welded from pieces accurately cut out from a plate that has just been delivered today.
These pieces are to be filet welded on both sides for strength, and hopefully to counter any warping that is inevitably going to happen!!
At the moment, for practice, I have an 8mm thick plate, which I've been running beads for a few days:
....the lower welds (4 or 5) are yesterday, and the upper ones I've just done an hour ago.
Any advice would be most welcome....specifically the amount of BBs/spatter I seem to be getting?
Is this normal?
Am I running too hot....too close....too slow?
(Though todays welds seem to be better - I think it was arc length - I shortened it as much as I dared)
I am using 2.5mm 6013 rods (again from Machine Mart), and the machine is set to 80 amps.
(After a little practice, this seems to be the 'sweet-spot')
I'm 'burying' the electrode as close to the puddle as I can without sticking, and it seems to have decent penetration, but I get a LOT of spatter!
Also, is there a way to avoid the 'crater' at the end of the weld - I'm running left to right?
I have been lifting straight up at the end of the weld.
Do I linger for a second or so, and also is it not recommended to 'whip' the end towards the weld?
I've tried both of these, but it doesn't seem to make much of a difference....though I'm sure I'm getting something wrong!!
I'd love some help or advice from all you experts, and sorry if I've rambled on a bit....I think that I have been bitten by the welding bug....it's truly fascinating!!
Cheers
Gaz
)
