New to Welding

[SteveNI]

Hi guys! Well i thought i'd buy myself a welder, mainly for motorcycle frame modifications, so i've ended up with a Sealey Supermig 150. It has some 0.6mm wire loaded in at the minute so i've ordered some 0.8mm, spare tips for each size & some MIG pliers.

So, i was a bit disappointed to find that Sealey don't provide a beginners guide to suggested settings for material & thickness vs wire speed & current.

Can anyone point me towards a rough guide?, i will be practicing on some scrap pieces but i'd like a general 'whereabouts' to start so i get some penetration & not burn holes at the same time

I emailed Sealey themselves, response below, doesn't look like they care so i'm kinda regretting my purchase already! I work LONG hours so 'night school' won't be any good to me unless i can get a class that starts @ 10PM !!

Hi Steve

Sorry but we do not have any guides to welding , maybe the internet or local night school is a good option .

Dave Walls
Sealey Power Products

 

[Jim_gsxr1000]

Have a look here for the power calculator

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/calculator.htm

 

[SteveNI]

Thanks Jim, that looks useful to get me started

 

[Exuptoy]

Set the power to mid range then dial in the torch with your free hand until it sounds like bacon frying. Then if you are blowing through turn down the power and if there is no penetration or the weld is sitting on top, turn it up.

 

[SteveNI]

Thank you, all pointers greatly recieved!

 

[BillJ]

Hi, Steve.

So, i was a bit disappointed to find that Sealey don't provide a beginners guide to suggested settings for material & thickness vs wire speed & current.

I emailed Sealey themselves, response below, doesn't look like they care so i'm kinda regretting my purchase already! I work LONG hours so 'night school' won't be any good to me unless i can get a class that starts @ 10PM !!

You've come to the right place but don't be too hard on Sealey. You've bought a tool and it's expected that you either know how to use it or know how to learn but it isn't Sealey's job to teach you to weld. Their instructions should explain how the controls work since the controls vary from one welder to another but that's it. Some manufacturers (like Miller) have online guides and resources but they don't have to.

You'll get better instruction here anyway than from reading a book or a leaflet

 

[SteveNI]

Hi, Steve.





You've come to the right place but don't be too hard on Sealey. You've bought a tool and it's expected that you either know how to use it or know how to learn but it isn't Sealey's job to teach you to weld. Their instructions should explain how the controls work since the controls vary from one welder to another but that's it. Some manufacturers (like Miller) have online guides and resources but they don't have to.

You'll get better instruction here anyway than from reading a book or a leaflet

Thanks for the warm welcome Bill, yes i do want to learn but as a beginner its a new world to me & i have no idea what settings to use to start. I have read the excellent tutorials on here but i know nothing will make up for practical experience...........i'd also rather not set my house on fire when im at it! , on that subject i have 2 extinguishers, both fairly small but better than none!!

Just as an idea of useage, MINIMAL!!, i'm going to use the disposable cylinders as renting a bottle will be costly to me in the long run, if i use it more than i expect, which doubt, i'll maybe buy a bottle, but thats £140 + VAT where i live.

 

[BillJ]

The difference between reading stuff online generally to teach yourself and doing it via this forum is the helpful and honest feedback you'll get. Do a bit of practice, post some photos of your welds and you'll get informed comments on how good the welds appear to be and what can be done to improve them. You can learn a lot just by looking at the photos other people post and the comments they elicit.

What does £140 buy you, gas-wise? I've heard a few people say gas is expensive in NI, perhaps due to lack of competition. When I lived there I only ever had an arc welder so never had to buy gas. And that was before the Internet took off so I taught myself from a book and repaired my Minis, which people these days will tell you is impractical with an arc welder. I just thought I was struggling because welding was hard
I did it, though, quite successfully. There's no way I could have afforded a MIG in those days. I could barely afford the £50 arc welder from Argos...

 

[SteveNI]

Ok, i'll put pics of welds up when i get my Gas. On that subject, £140+VAT buys me a small bottle (about knee height) of co2. Then i have to bring the bottle to the same people to get filled again. Once i finish the bike frame im building at the minute i honestly don't know when it well be used again, i'd really only be looking for excuses to use weld, this is why renting a bottle would be silly for me

Mini's, restoration, Northern Ireland - You just might have heard of Kenny Colbert? LOL

 

[Justme]

I would have thought that TIG would have been a better method for bike frames.

 

[SteveNI]

We're talking old Steel frames here, not the newer alloy ones.

Yes, i'd love to be skilled enough to TIG weld, also rich enough to buy one & not use it

 

[BillJ]

Mini's, restoration, Northern Ireland - You just might have heard of Kenny Colbert? LOL

The name doesn't ring a bell but it was 30 years ago now.