My first attempt .....

[icedaddyuk]

Hi guys,

Have done a lot of reading on here for a while and finally had a play around with my Clarke 135TE today.

Perfect day to start practising welding. Results below, pretty happy with them seeing as this is the first time I'd ever tried welding. As you can see I need some practice on the join though!

First pic from the top, second pic showing penatration.

Constructive critisism always welcome!

Adam

 

[Bsmith]

Dont think anyone on here will criticise them as you're first attemps are pretty good. Someone could offer advice on the join if we knew the plate thickness, gas type or if its gasless? Is this the lowest setting on your welder?

 

[icedaddyuk]

It's 1mm sheet, using an argon mix gas.

The settings on the Clarke are:

One - Min
One - Max
Two - Min
Two - Max

I was using the manual recommendation of Two - Min, wire speed 5ish,

Adam

 

[Bsmith]

I would try 1 and cut back on the wire feed a bit. Maybe need to use .6 wire unless thats what you're using (I should have asked sorry). Bit more practice and you're there. Best wishes, Brian (",).

 

[series2]

Hi, Looking good for a first attempt As Bsmith said, looks like your getting a bit too much heat into the but joint.

I still find the butt joint on thin sheet difficult, tend to use a technique of a series of small, overlapping tacks, like malcom demonstrates on the site. It gives the metal a short time to cool between tacks.

When I started welding I found it easier to to do overlap joints on thin (0.6-1mm) sheet, Still find it easier now

See if you can get some thicker material to have a go on (2-3mm), you'll be well impressed with what you can do! You'll soon be making all sorts of stuff.