I think I'm failing to understand something basic

[jagxjs1992]

Hello everyone. I lost my welding virginity today (1st July 2016)! Yay! So, what I took from it, is that I can get the wire to melt the metal through to the other side, even though from the welded side it looks ... awwwwwwwwwful! I think it's definitely speed related, and my teacher tried to calm me by saying "It'll come off in the polish". But ... I don't know guys ... porous welds seem to have a very negative reputation here.

I can't quite judge how far is too far from the metal. I have a tendency to go very close and damn near weld the torch to the plate. I also then go too far and I get horrible sounds and sparks! Ew!

Also any ways to "know" if I'm going too fast by looking at the weld mid-process? Just any visual clues would be handy.

Oh, and I really struggled to get two sheets of thin metal to weld. Either, they barely penetrated or both had a hole blew in. My teacher said I could drill out a whole in one and melt a spot weld into both?

Anyone idely curious:

^--- my first ever weld where I made my terrible atrocity of a weld on two 3 mm (as opposed to sheet metal) sheets ... though I still found that easier than sheet welding.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

At the start of the video it looked to me like your wire feed speed was set too high or your gun was a little further from the work piece than in wanted to be.

Try playing with the machine settings and keeping a relatively right arc. You're also pulling a MIG weld whereas the general consensus is to push the weld if using solid wire with gas.

Keep going and your jag will be fixed in no time

 

[addjunkie]

Try putting what you are welding on a larger obviously metal surface, so you can get more comfortable, ie holding the gun in one hand the other in close, wearing gauntlet, to steady the tip, yes your hand will get hot. But just stop when too hot and reposition.

Also before welding move along the weld to make sure your comfortable and can carry out the full weld.

Before trying to join metal, get the feel of the arc just running bead after bead on a clean pice of flat plate. Have a play move slower, faster etc to see what it does and how the shape of the bead is effected.

 

[Kent]

Strange noise it is, not sure why without looking to be frank.
Horrible screech mmm

 

[WorkshopChris]

When you start off see it you can get up close to the weld you need to be able to see how the weld puddle forms and progresses. If you are close enough so see exactly whats going on you will soon get to realize how the sound you hear relates to what you see. Often the sound can tell you nearly as much as a clear view, and once you start on the car there will be times you can not see clearly what you are doing.
Once you understand how the torch distance from the surface and angle alter whats happening try running straight beads untill you are happy while in a comfortable position.
Then try to join to pieces together(lap joint - one on top of other) again if to start you can get in real close to see how the edge to the sheet melts and the wire comes in to reinforce the weld.

 

[pedrobedro]

You are too far away and not steadying yourself on anything. Get the metal in a position where you can control what you are doing. Start with pushing the gun forward and get your head in a position where you can watch the puddle to see what is happening.

 

[Richard.]

I agree with what's said above. You need to support yourself first. Get those plates laid on a bench and let your arms relax then tweek your settings. I'd suggest some actual weld pictures to look at which make it very easy to pin point what to turn up/down.

 

[arther dailey]

You dont look to be in a comfortable position, maybe putting the metal on the bench and then as already said you can use your left hand to steady the nozzle (shroud) of the torch, work from right to left is easier if you are right handed.
Now you have started so getting practice everything will improve, especially with the help available on here. dont feel like you need to do long welds to start, just a few centimetres untill you get comfortable and relaxed , then as you find things going better it willl be easier to do a longer weld. dont forget to breath !!!

 

[arther dailey]

Ha, shows how slow my typing is, Richard beat me to the mark ...........

 

[norlander]

Ask your teacher to demonstrate.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Hope you've got a fire extinguisher handy, looks like you're welding over wood.

 

[arther dailey]

Oooh ,er misses...well spotted, SBF! so best sort that before welding on bench as I suggested...oooops.sorry.Arther