How to stop this

[F124nny]

How can I stop this or what am I doing wrong. I have done it a few times and some times I can fill some times they just get bigger.

This is my second ever flange and second ever butt weld too.

 

[the snooper]

You need to practice on flat steel bar first to get a nice smooth beads, clean up the steel better and make sure the fit up is good

 

[F124nny]

This is a few more bits I did and the other side of the flange. I have done some lines to and took some more 2 and half inch pipe ground it down and welded that to my practice piece

 

[the snooper]

The first rule to good welds is good clean steel, you don't want anything contaminating the weld pool

 

[the snooper]

The last picture, the welds look cold and always favour the thicker steel when welding different thicknesses as you want penetratation on the thicker part but don't want to blow holes in the thinner section

 

[F124nny]

Thanks snooper. I was worried about putting pictures up of my welds but just wanted some help and tips

 

[the snooper]

Thanks snooper. I was worried about putting pictures up of my welds but just wanted some help and tips

Everyone starts somewhere, nobody here will take the mick, they are a good bunch

 

[F124nny]

Going to be starting college in February so just wanted to get a feel for it

 

[the snooper]

Just experiment heavier stuff first until you get a feel for it and are laying nice smooth beads, if they sit tall you need more power if they undercut the steel use less power

 

[F124nny]

I will be going to scrap metal place and the steel place round corner see if they have some flat think steel

 

[davidjohnperry]

I still can't weld pipe that well but looking at that that's shed 40 pipe it can be welded but for learning you really want to have thicker pipe. But as a first go hell of a lot better then mine but to get a feel for it i would v prep plate and practice v up open root on that its easier to prep and get a feel for it

 

[davidjohnperry]

10mm thick flat would be a good start

 

[F124nny]

Thanks Dave. I did put a wanted post for some flat steel. I will be looking for some near our workshop in Warrington

 

[davidjohnperry]

if you we're closer I could of sorted some dad owns a scrap yard bit far to post as well most scrap yards will have it don't know what emr are like to buy off or you could try a local fab firm see what off cuts you can scorce

 

[F124nny]

Was going to try the fab shops to be fair we have a lot of them around Warrington

 

[davidjohnperry]

questions tho
what rods you running and size
what amperage
how are you prepping and setting your pipe.
there are many skilled welders on here some who specialize in pipe. I still struggle with pipe welding but I've improved a bit. So if I can help you with a bit of knowledge I've learnt from hear over the years I will try.

 

[F124nny]

I keep changing I was using 3.2 on the flange and 2.5 on the butt weld.
3.2- 110 to 120 amps
2.5- 90 to 110

 

[angellonewolf]

your best bet get a couple of washing mechines on facebook free to collecter pick them up and pop down to your local scrappy and then ask he like mine will just say swap it over as long as its better for him

 

[F124nny]

What's the actual wall thickness of the pipe out of interest?

Unsure I know it's the thinner pipe which I just got given off one of the lads who said practice on that

 

[Arclikeharrypotter]

What electrodes are you running? Not just the size.