Mig Welding Pics - Are they good enough? Advice welcomed

[rushandy]

Hi all,

Some pics below of my mig welding on 16ga 25mm box section. I'm a novice welder but have been practising for a little while now.

All comments / critiques / suggestions for improvement welcome.

Regards
Andy

 

[Rocketman]

Looks a bit cold to me, the weld is sitting on top of the steel. Could do with more penetration.

Not bad for first efforts though.

See what the others think.

 

[BrokenBiker]

if you can, turn the voltage up to the next setting and tweak the wire down a touch. This will give a hotter puddle giving better penetration and should stop the welds looking so pronounced.

apart from that not bad. Technique seems to be ok, maybe a touch unsteady but not bad

 

[DrNik]

Welds do look a little "bulky" wire speed too high and maybe need a few more amps, shaky too, but great otherwise

 

[backpurge]

As has been said, not a bad start but too much weld metal. Turn the volts up a bit and turn the wire (amps) down and try travelling a bit faster

 

[rushandy]

Thanks all! I will give your suggestions a whirl the next time I'm allowed in the garage, and will post some further pics once the welds
get better.

 

[DrNik]

Thanks all! I will give your suggestions a whirl the next time I'm allowed in the garage, and will post some further pics once the welds
get better.

Allowed in the garage....... I'd get all moody if I don't get my fix of garage/workshop time, just like that seasonal disorder stuff.... Well that's what I tell everyone

 

[Jan]

To my eye the stop/starts at the corners haven't completely joined up to form a continuous weld. That's just a the point that will see the most strain. It's better to start a weld at the middle of each side and end it at the middle of the next one. Welding around corners is an acquired art, but it makes the joint less prone to cracking up at the high stress points.

 

[rushandy]

To my eye the stop/starts at the corners haven't completely joined up to form a continuous weld. That's just a the point that will see the most strain. It's better to start a weld at the middle of each side and end it at the middle of the next one. Welding around corners is an acquired art, but it makes the joint less prone to cracking up at the high stress points.

Thanks Jan.

 

[rushandy]

Hi all,

Finally managed to get some time in the garage last week and tried again using all of the advice above. I do think they're looking better, but any advice / comments from you experts will be greatfully received :-).

 

[DrNik]

I'd be very happy with welds like that, now get in your workshop and get making something

 

[rushandy]

Thanks DrNik!

Welding cart will be in progress soon :-)

 

[Steve Gray]

Very nice. Good job

 

[rushandy]

Thanks everyone, all of your advice has been very helpful. This is a great forum. I really like metal work & welding :-)

 

[Ed.]

Much better

 

[backpurge]

Looking good, massive improvement over first efforts, well done that man