How am I doing

[tom_m132]

Hi,

I just recently got myself a MIG welder! I have a little experience from around 6 years ago when I did a welding and a fabrication module as part of my motorsport engineering college course, however since then I have not touched a welder!

I have done a few practice runs on a simple sheet of steel, which all seemed okay-ish. Today I was bored so decided to make something! Settled on a "simple" cube (turns out it wasn't so simple using just a hammer vice and grinder!)

I was wondering if anyone could tell me how it was looking, I am personally fairly proud of it! Well aware it can be improved though!

These are probably the best welds (after I tweaked the welder settings a bit and got used to the thickness of steel (1.2mm)


And Incase anyone is wondering (I'm sure you all are...) this is the whole thing:


I have ground a few of the welds right back and penetration seems good (again, in my eyes) since its all nicely sealed up and holding together when ground right back flush. I appreciate that a sheet would probably be better for assessment so will go and see about running one off soon.

Thanks

 

[cumbriasteve]

If that is your beginner ish attempt then you deserve to be proud of it, nothing really that can be pulled to bits about it, your runs will get a little more even as you continue picking up the skill.

Perhaps try running a little faster to lower the weld height, you will probably find the penetration just as good and not as much metal to remove if you wanted ground smooth joints.

 

[tom_m132]

Thank-you very much for the kind words! Will have to go and cut some strips and have a mess about with how fast I move!

 

[tom_m132]

Long time no visit! I have been doing some more playing recently and some more practice. I really want to get my welds dialled in before at some point in the future maybe buying a TIG to do some aluminium.

These welds dont look quite right to me, but they felt quite nice to lay down and I really feel like I am getting to the point where I can moniter and control the pool which is nice!
This is the top:


And this is the underside:


All advice is really gratefully recieved.

Thanks a lot.

 

[alexGS]

Something I struggle with is to get welds going in a straight line you seem to master it sometimes and not at other times? What's the secret?

When drawing a line on a piece of paper, one would use a ruler, so I wonder if it's an option to clamp a strip of wood onto the workpiece and run the torch shroud along that - would that work? I don't honestly know.

-Alex

 

[sapperb]

You can also use a Silver Sharpie and or soap stone.. That will help light up the crease and allow a straighter weld pattern..It all come down to time on the "gun"..Practice make perfect....

 

[redwine300]

I wish my initial welds had been that good, it took me a while to get anywhere near that level of ability.