NOOb (and its petty obvious!!)

[qwerty]

Well......I have recently bought my 1st resto project (1965 Morris Minor) and its pretty darn rusty. I bought a MIG welder(SIP Migmate 130 Turbo) ages ago had a little go then put it away cos I was rubbish. However its petty imperative that I actually learn this tim so I've cracked it out again!! This is the result:

Where am I going wrong? IS the metal to thick? I did this then the famous SIP wire feed problems reared their head and I got annoyed!!

 

[zardoz]

I'm not sure how thick that sheet is ? Try whacking the power a bit, maybe halfway, same with wire speed, and see where it gets you. If it burns through ramp it back a tad and try again, and again. Note down the settings and give it another go again, with pics again. Keep on trying, and coming here for advice, im sure you will crack it soon.

 

[malcolm]

You don't seem to have any shielding gas there (black welds and bubbly beads). I'm guessing you have one of the disposable bottle regulators? Ignore the instructions and set it so you can hear the gas coming out - maximum setting or higher usually.

That's the first thing to sort out as the gas also stabilises the arc so you don't get the popping as you go along.

 

[qwerty]

Thanks!!

I think my gas might be gone....either that or the regulator. Will try and get a new disposable tomorrow, also try to sort the wire feed out!!

 

[Justme]

Those little bottles last about 6 mins of cont welding.

Justme

 

[qwerty]

Ah well I'm almost definitely out of gas!! Where can I get a better/bigger gas bottle? CO2/Argon Mix??

 

[zardoz]

Unless someone local to you can recommend a small dealer who gives good discount, then its probably Air products through one of their outlets, of which there are many. Thing is you have to pay them for the privilege of you picking up the bottle!, as well as a deposit and monthly direct debit fee. for the medium size bottle it is approx £7.50 a month rental.

 

[qwerty]

Hmmm prolly a worthy investment for the project. I'll look into it. Thank you!

 

[malcolm]

There's a gas price comparison in the sticky thread in the gas section - See http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showpost.php?p=53625&postcount=12 and download the spreadsheet where it says "clicky".

The spreadsheet has the cost of disposables too - think I worked out I would spend a thousand pounds a year on the things rather than a hundred a year on a BOC size Y. There are cheaper options in there too that are a little smaller and need changing more often. Whichever you get buy a twin gauge regulator that gives you flow rate as well as bottle pressure. Saved me a fortune in gas getting one of those.

 

[qwerty]

Well all I can say is HOOOOOGE thanks. No pics but new tip and argon/co2 mix gas and my welds are waaaaaay better. Certainly not perfect and still messy but decent penertration and they seem strong.