Practice Welding

[DunnyD]

Ho folks.

Just got my first welder and put it together yesterday. I havent used it yet so was wondering what am I best doing to gain a bit of experience? I have read some posts and watched some videos and it seems its just a case of grabbing some metal and welding? I would prefer to do something a bit more structured if possible - any suggestions?

Thanks

D

 

[Badger1bear]

learn to walk before you run

Youtube is a gold mine of great instructional vids

 

[DunnyD]

Indeed and I have watched quite a number. I thnink I will need to learn plug welding and seam welding to do what I have in mind. I ws just curious as to whether there is a process I could follow in order to build up skills. If not just have to try and see what happens!!

D

 

[Badger1bear]

start on some thin scrap metal and practice at laying a bead of weld in a straight line and not blowing thru. Your find that it takes a shed load of practice to get good at it and as for something structural I would stick with thin bits of scrap for now. Unless your gifted straight out of the gate then your gonna have a learning curve which will require time, patience and plenty of scrap. Dont be put off by your first attempts, post up pictures and we will tell you where your going wrong

 

[DunnyD]

Thanks.....just straight beads without trying to join anything I assume.

 

[Badger1bear]

yes mate, just start with some thin plate and practice bead after bead after bead, it may feel like its getting you nowhere but believe me when you post up your pics people will be able to point out to you when you was doing good and when it was not so good. It can take a long time for some people to pick it up but once you get the hang of it you will be trying all sorts of joint, projects or even dabbling with arc or tig.

practice practice practice

 

[brightspark]

just get some scrap metal and run a row of -beads at different settings . when u find the-best settings make note then try joining metal together when u get better. try different metal thicknesses and settings practice makes perfect or near enough

 

[DunnyD]

Thanks mate. I will also think about recording settings maybe.

D

 

[DunnyD]

Posts crossed but that was what I was thinking,

D

 

[Badger1bear]

Thanks mate. I will also think about recording settings maybe.

D

write the settings down next to the weld itself that way you cant get it mixed up

 

[DunnyD]

Good suggestion, thanks!!

D

 

[brightspark]

I haven't welded anything with my stick welder in over 2 years . went to weld a project up and its sh ite gonna practice on the different thickness metals I'm working with on some scrap with different rods and settings it wont take long to sort it better than welding the job and grinding the crap off burning holes and doing it again

 

[addjunkie]

I always try to have a play on similar or even identical off cuts before i weld a project. Still often manage to make a pigs ear of it, always easier stood at a bench than twisted round lying on your back trying to get in somewhere you should have planned better.

 

[Badger1bear]

Practice Practice Practice

 

[DunnyD]

Looking forward to learning as I have always wanted to. I restore motorbikes as one of my hobbies but want to do a car next hence the welding. I have a fair amount of general expereince with cars, bikes etc but never welded (well a tiny bit many years ago).

 

[addjunkie]

Assume this is a mig welder you have invested in

 

[DunnyD]

Assume this is a mig welder you have invested in

Yes, it is a Clarke 135 TE

 

[Richard.]

It won't take long to get some tasty results with a little patients and perseverance. For best results always work within the limits of the machine. 2-3 mm is perfect for what you have. I'd suggest a solid wire and using a mixed gas on the light side of co2 (5-10%) this will really aid to good results. Keep a short stick out (5-8mm) and lay down some runs. Set your torch at 90 degrees to the work then off set it slightly in a pushing direction and off you go. Start high and work down. I'd be right at the top end on 3mm with that on power/voltage and wire speed around 4-5 m/min with a 0.8 wire roughly. Gas at 8-10 lpm if working in a non drafty area. Up it if your outside

 

[DunnyD]

Thanks
Will report back.
D

 

[marlinspike]

If you are doing a biggish car project you will save money getting on the Volkszone argoshield light deal from Boc. There is a thread on it in the Gas part of the forum.