Newbie looking for advice

[Jon823]

Hi chaps, the names job and I'm just starting a project vehicle and so have bout a gys162 from weld equip bit disappointed with the instructions but with the help of the tutorial got it set in short time. I bought one of the boc hoby welder bottles and got started within the hour the gas was empty (supposed to be the same as 8 disposables)
Anyway had lots of fun and the machine was simple to use I just adjusted the wire speed and seemed to be getting some penetration. I was practicing on 2mm steel and went well I even tried a but joint on the 4mm but didn't get much penetration on that but was quite difficult to snap the joint even when using a hammer on it. As ever I'm asking for advise as I want to cut the chassis down to make the vehicle a shorter wheel base and build a roll cage for the trialer and want the welding to be of a good standard.

 

[Jon823]

I tried to post a few pics earlier but it only put one up so will do a few more now.

 

[Jon823]

Another pic

 

[chunkolini]

Looks like a very good start.
Try keeping closer and keeping you speed more consistent.
Way better than my first goes.
Top tip, have you ever used an icing bag for cake icing? one of my students compared it to that and was doing perfect stringers of weld within about 20 seconds.
it is an unusual movement, sloooooow, smoooooth and regular.
Distance? from what I see a lot of people seem to move the torch in an arc, closing the gap andopening it up as they move along.
Top tip NoII; remember to breathe. if you think about this at the start it is a big help in learning.

 

[Jon823]

Thanks chunkolini I will keep at it though was doing it on a timber work mate and kept catching fire what should I use instead to practice on

 

[Llama]

Steel workbenches are usually the best. Else a concrete or stone will do.

 

[gordonendersby]

Im a learner as well using a workmate.
I bought a 1 metre square sheet of 5mm steel and used that on top of my workmate to get me started. I welded a couple of strips of steel underneath it so it could be clamped into the workmate.

Nice and stable once its clamped and the heat is dissipated through the steel plate so no setting fire to the work bench.
And you can clip the earth clamp to the plate rather than having to keep attaching it to the work piece.

Good enough till you know what you need without spending too much money.

Gordon

 

[Jon823]

Hi Gordon will it not weld the practice piece to the sheet on the bench then

 

[Llama]

Sometimes it gets a little stuck on, but it's always small enough to break off by hand, and it won't damage the work piece.

 

[spaf4]

Get concrete too hot and you'll get a nasty surprise when it explodes in your face.

 

[steve.h]

Hi Jon, I would go back to BOC and say you are a member of volkzone, they have a great offer on the Y sizedbottle I believe. Have a search on here for it, you may do well ringing BOC direct and sorting it out with them and then just go down to the BOC cente and pick up the bigger bottle, that will last you a good few hours and wont cost that much more than the hobby one....
Where are you in Wilshire ?? good starting welds by the way, better than my first attempts.

 

[Mr shiney]

I can attest to that. Welded up some frames on a concrete step and it exploded. Looked like a hand grenade had gone off complete with shrapnel wounds to my body. Good job I had a welding mask on or I would have lost an eye.