My Recent Welding Job

[Weldinator]

Here is my recent welding job using the Portamig 185 >



I still regard myself as a novice welder and wonder how i did ?

 

[shenion]

Welds look a bit cold as if they are just laying on top.

 

[Weldinator]

There was good penetration behind but not all the way down, it's 1mm steel.

I think i had the wire speed too high. The left wide i think is worse for it. I find it hard too see the end of the wire in the pool, daytime does help. I think i need a new screen in the mask as well.
What happens when welding a lap weld the top sheet seems to burn away ? Should i use more of a U shape technique where the bottom sheet gets more of the weld pool ?

 

[cumbriasteve]

Try and get some backlight onto the weld area, it makes a big difference to 'seeing' the weld, a touch more power too I think, even if it means using the thin metal technique.

Using a hand held mask?

 

[keith19]

"What happens when welding a lap weld the top sheet seems to burn away ? Should i use more of a U shape technique where the bottom sheet gets more of the weld pool ? "

Yes, you're right. Or you can use a spiral or circling technique where just the edge of the circle touches the top sheet and then swings away again. Also make sure the top sheet is clamped tight to the bottom sheet, or tacked at regular intervals. The top sheet will tend to curl away from the bottom one with the heat as the line of weld approaches, so needs to be kept firmly in place.

As already pointed out, the welds are a bit high, could do with either slower speed or higher power, but this is difficult on 1.0 mm! Steve's remarks about using the 'thin metal technique' are very relevant here. I find there is a great tendency working thin metal continuously to go too fast to avoid blow through, which then leaves a higher bead than intended. I'd rather use the thin technique and have flatter welds, but it does take longer.

 

[Weldinator]

Thanks for the advice, i will do some more practice and record all the settings & tips in a black book. I do have a habit of going too quickly, the weld do seem lower when i put the torch closer to the metal. I will try some more butt and lap welds on thin sheets of steel.

My mask is the flip up type but the screen has a bit of weld on it, i will get myself a better light source.

 

[pedrobedro]

Get a few tacks on your top sheet then knock it down as tight to the bottom as possible with the hammer and a drift if you need one then weld into the join between the two pieces and you should not need to do much weaving on really thin metal.