power2wait
Member
- Messages
- 8
I've been trying to weld some 3mm mild steel angle with my 130A Clarke. Whatever I try, I can't seem to penetrate through to the other side of the metal. The machine is set to the maximum power setting. I'm using an Argon mix gas (Freshford garage gas). Here is the list of things I have tried without any success. (I got most of the ideas from searching the forum - thanks for the great resource!)
- I started off using 0.6mm wire. I read that this wasn't really suitable for 3mm, so went out and bought some 0.8mm wire.
- I tried changing my gas flow. Regulator was set around the maximimum, so I tried reducing it various amounts. Unfortunately I have no gauge. I managed to get some nasty porous looking welds, but certainly no improvment.
- Both sides of the material are clean where the earth clamp attaches, and so is the area I am welding. I replaced the earth clamp after buying the machine because the old one was knackered. It now has a big overkill 400A one. The earth lead looks fine - insulation is partially melted in a few places, but no cuts or other visible damage.
- I am not using an extension cable, and the garage wiring should have no problem supplying the current. The only other thing running on the ring is a freezer. Just to eliminate this line of thought, I tried plugging the welder into a socket which was originally a cooker spur. Made no difference.
From everything I have read here, 3mm should not be a problem with 130A. If I had thought it was going to be, I would have held out for a bigger machine. Anyhow, I'm out of ideas, and almost out of my 3mm scrap...
Matt
- I started off using 0.6mm wire. I read that this wasn't really suitable for 3mm, so went out and bought some 0.8mm wire.
- I tried changing my gas flow. Regulator was set around the maximimum, so I tried reducing it various amounts. Unfortunately I have no gauge. I managed to get some nasty porous looking welds, but certainly no improvment.
- Both sides of the material are clean where the earth clamp attaches, and so is the area I am welding. I replaced the earth clamp after buying the machine because the old one was knackered. It now has a big overkill 400A one. The earth lead looks fine - insulation is partially melted in a few places, but no cuts or other visible damage.
- I am not using an extension cable, and the garage wiring should have no problem supplying the current. The only other thing running on the ring is a freezer. Just to eliminate this line of thought, I tried plugging the welder into a socket which was originally a cooker spur. Made no difference.
From everything I have read here, 3mm should not be a problem with 130A. If I had thought it was going to be, I would have held out for a bigger machine. Anyhow, I'm out of ideas, and almost out of my 3mm scrap...
Matt