My First Attempt!

[OJM]

After spending a while deciding on what welder to go for - decisions ranging from a Clarke 90EN to a Cebora 130 Pocket Turbo, and eventually buying the latter for £124 from ebay (bargain!), I then had to decide what gas I was going to try - settling on a disposable C02 bottle for the time being - I was ready to practice!

So armed with my £10 Aldi welding kit (helmet, gauntlets and apron), and some scrap body repair panels, I decided to attempt my first welds!

Now I know I didn't clean the metal as I should have done, as I just wanted to give it a quick test, so I could make sure the welder worked, and I could leave some feedback for the seller.

I took a couple of pictures of the welder and welds, so would appreciate any feedback you have. Like I say, these are my first attempts, so you can see my awful attempt and welding the two plates together, and then my different tests of wire speed and welding speed etc...

 

[OJM]

And the welds...

 

[malcolm]

It's working! You know new tips and shrouds are cheap, and the tips can go off and start sticking before they get as nasty looking as that one.

It's easier to learn technique on something like 1.5mm or 2mm sheet - less need to worry about blowing holes. Once you've cracked the technique the thinner stuff is easier.

Have a read through the tutorial and look at the videos - bit slower with maybe a little side to side movement to help control the speed might help.

 

[OJM]

Yeah, I'm going to buy some new tips and shrouds, as they do look well used.

I've salvaged some thick metal from my parents old electric garage door opener, so I'm going to cut that up and make a trolley for the welder - should be thick enough to get the technique right!

One other thing I need...an auto dimming helmet! Flip up ones are extremely annoying...

 

[OJM]

I also assume the wire currently setup on the mig is the correct stuff for what I'm doing. Can't find anything from the part numbers on the label, although I think half of it is missing.

Any ideas what the silver 4043 wire is best for?

 

[malcolm]

The wire that's on the machine looks like 0.6mm mild stel wire. Seems to weld OK.

The 4043 is for welding aluminium. Wouldn't attempt aluminium until you get very good with mild steel. Even then it's tricky.