Mig problems

[Mr Whippy]

Afternoon all,

I am new to Mig welding, having only done a little bit of Tig in the past. I have purchased a Clarke 151TE so that I can knock up a space frame in a more timely fashion than if I tig'd it!

Unfortunately im having some problems. The 5mm diameter .8mm tig tips have a tendency to melt and liquefy in to the weld pool with alarming regularity. Granted this is only on the thicker stuff, buts getting annoying now. Ive been told that changing to a euro torch of a higher power rating may solve my problem, does this sound like reasonable advice??

Many thanks!

 

[shenion]

Sounds like you are keeping the torch too close to the work.

Increasing the gas flow will help keep the torch cool.

 

[chunkolini]

Also try turning the wire speed up a bit. I can remember being driven crazy by this one, keep tweaking the speed up until you get a nice even 'sizzle' noise. Keep the end of torch close to the work but not that close. Try this, put your left index finger on the table, flat then put your right index finger 90 degrees to it at the tip, about that far.

This is the kind of thing that can drive a man or woman to drink, once you get it right you will think ''how could I do it so wrong?''

Bigger welder and Euro torch is a nice thing to have but will not make a difference to this one, it is a matter of touch, feel and technique. Change one thing at a time and you will get there.

Keep at it, Chunko'.

 

[Mr Whippy]

Cheers for the pointers gents, I shall modify my technique and let you know how it goes!