problems mig welding

[bennyy]

Hi all,

I am having some problems mig welding, I am using a clarke 160 turbo, power setting on 1 min. I'm practising some welds on an old exhaust and I keep blowing through, if the wire speed is too slow will that be the cause for me blowing through? I say this because I start out with about 10mm out from the end of the gun, after I blow through I stop straight away and there's 1 to 2mm sticking out?
Any ideas?
Cheers.

 

[shenion]

Sounds like you have th torch too close to the work.

You will need to move the torch faster to prevent burning through. The lowest wire speed that sounds good also helps.

What gas are you using?

 

[Sparkey]

Hmmm, yes but you chose one of the most difficult things to practise on!!
A while ago i patched up an old exhaust for someone, and i blew holes too!

It's dirty, rusty.....and horrible to weld on!
Maybe you should try something else to practise on first, you know to get a feel for it!

 

[bennyy]

I have been able to stick weld fairly well, but decided to get a mig welder so I can do thin metal also, I may well be holding the torch too close, and I'm not 100% sure of the gas as it came with the welder, but I think just co2,

Thanks for the replies guys

 

[bennyy]

Would it be better to weld with co2/argon mix?

 

[Wozzaaah]

It's a nicer gas to weld with but there's no reason to change. Many people use plain CO2 with no problems.
As Sparkey says, the issue is your choice of practice material, throw it in the skip and get some proper steel to have a play with.

 

[Stereophoney]

go to your local body panel suppliers and get a sheet of steel to play with, i got a 2ft by 4ft sheet for about 7 quid

 

[bennyy]

Ok thanks, I've got some thick steel plate to use while I get used to mig, then I've got an old bonnet that's simillar thickness to what I want to weld.

 

[Wozzaaah]

How thick is thick?
A bonnet is only marginally better than an exhaust.
You're best off with something about 2mm thick, that way you can learn to control the torch properly without the fear of blowing holes.

 

[bennyy]

Its thick, probably 4mm thick, I know it won't penetrate but like you say, wil learn me to control the torch

 

[Wozzaaah]

It's not ideal as you'll have to run the machine flat out to get a decent bead but it'll get you started.

 

[bennyy]

Ill see if I can source some 2mm metal from anywhere, cheers