Please check out my weld with - Portamig 215

[smpw]

Hi Guys

Received my Portamig 215 last week and after a couple hours messing around thought I would start on some box section (40 x 40 x 2.5) for a welding bench.
I have never used a welder before but have been reading this forum for several months, prior to making my purchase. I have attached a couple of photo’s and would appreciate any comments. Settings are:

Coarse 2 Fine 2 Wire 3.9

Using 0.8 wire

LPM 12 at the nozzle

Hobbyweld 5 (93% Argon - 5% Co2 - 2% O2)

I did use the setting calculator and that produced the following setup

Power 7 Wire 4.9 - so I am guessing I might be a little slow on the wire speed.


Thanks in advance


Regards


Steve

 

[Bede]

For someone that's never picked up a welder before that's pretty decent. You need a little increase in your torch travel speed and you're looking good.

 

[Jim_gsxr1000]

Not bad atall for a first attempt

 

[smpw]

Thanks for feedback guys. Do I need to worry about the soot around the weld and the fact that the settings I am using are quite along way off the settings suggested by the on line calculator. Regs Steve

 

[Wozzaaah]

That soot will just brush off but it can often be reduced by altering your torch angle a bit.
Having it canted over too far can cause it, bringing it more upright helps with the gas shielding.

 

[3 Ducks]

good looking welds quite straight too !