Mig wont earth ??

[FAAace09]

Hi all im having problems with my welder because its not seeming to earth, i put the clamp on my chassis and went to try my welder and nothing, i got a couple sparks in end here and there but not welding, chassis is rusty tho, then tryed on scrap sheet still nothing, but again was rusty with paint on it, how clean does the metal have to be to make a good earth as new to welding ?? Lastly i actauly tryed the welding nozzle on the earth clamp its self and it welded, so im hoping its just not clean enough what i tryed on just never had time to grind a clean patch, thanks for replys

 

[octo0072000]

rust

welding area needs to be ground down to shiny metal or as you have found out it won't weld
i use 40grit flap disc's to clean up not quite a rough as a grinding disc
also make sure you have a good earth clamp near to what you are welding

 

[grim_d]

The area you attach earth clamp to should ideally be as clean as the area you are actually welding, certainly no paint or significant rust.

Nice shiny metal every time and you won't have an issue.

 

[Windy Miller]

The area you attach earth clamp to should ideally be as clean as the area you are actually welding, certainly no paint or significant rust.

Nice shiny metal every time and you won't have an issue.

Exactly. You're making an electrical circuit and you need a good clean connection at both ends, i.e. the earth and the torch (welding) end.

 

[the snooper]

if you want to be succesful with you welding then everything must be clean nice shiny bright steel any less and you will get very poor results and contamination and no arc as you have already stated.
paint and rust doesnt weld

if you dont have time to clean it up why waste more time trying to weld it ?

 

[FAAace09]

its not i havent got time to clean the surface for welding i just bought a welder and basically was just seeing if it worked to be fair, plus had no light left and its freezing at mo so was a quick check to see if it worked which it does, ive got plenty of time for my welding just not at the welding process at the moment im still preping which is a huge process as im restoring a landy

 

[FAAace09]

thanks for replys

 

[the snooper]

its not i havent got time to clean the surface for welding i just bought a welder and basically was just seeing if it worked to be fair, plus had no light left and its freezing at mo so was a quick check to see if it worked which it does, ive got plenty of time for my welding just not at the welding process at the moment im still preping which is a huge process as im restoring a landy

ahh but thats not what you posted