New to welding - what do you think?

[j_mcvic]

Well I recently got a SIP migmate turbo 105 from a mate for £30 quid. I know these aren't the best welders ever but I thought it would be a good place to start and see if I enjoy/I'm any good at welding! I bought a bottle of hobbyweld 5 which is a 5% Argon and CO2 mix.

So I decided as a good first project to start welding I would make a wee trolley to put the welder and gas on etc but more about that to come when it's complete!

Anyways here are some pictures of my welds to see what you guys think! They seem to be strongish as I had my 100+Kg mate stand on one of the frames for the trolley and it help up! Anyways, pictures:

 

[Robotstar5]

!I bought a bottle of hobbyweld 5 which is a 5% Argon and CO2 mix.

It's more likely 5% CO2 and Argon mix

 

[j_mcvic]

Woops! Just looked it up online and its 93% Argon, 5% Carbon Dioxide and 2% Oxygen

 

[Robotstar5]

Woops! Just looked it up online and its 93% Argon, 5% Carbon Dioxide and 2% Oxygen

Perfect mix for the thickness your welder is capable of

 

[inchpincher]

Looks ok but keep an eye when doing lap joints on the penetration of the lower piece of material. The first weld seems to have a contamination issue which I'd be tempted to grind out and redo.

The other thing worth mentioning is the design of your trolley, it's hard to infer from the pics but it looks a little random! Just constructive criticism, your weld technique looks fine.

 

[j_mcvic]

Can you explain more about the contamination issue, what causes it and how can I stop it?

Your right, I made a small frame for the bottom of the trolley and then forgot about a space for the gas so I'm extending the frame a little bit. I should of thought it through a bit more and made the bottom frame as one piece but not to worry! We live and learn I suppose!

I don't mind critisism as long as its constructive, most people here know a lot more than me! I just hope there aren't any of thoes "your welds look sh*t" people on here as it doesn't help me improve!!!

 

[inchpincher]

Can you explain more about the contamination issue, what causes it and how can I stop it?

It's usually dirt on the surface of the metal, oil, millscale, etc, sometimes it's crap in the metal itself but that's usually with cast aluminium. Possibly a gust of wind blows the shielding gas away for a moment and the resulting oxidisation causes the weld to bubble. Maybe the wire feed stuttered/slipped and a gap appeared in the weld?

Like I said, technique looks good, torch angle must be right, the weave looks ok, a bit more practice and it'll look a1.